The Chargers and Bengals were tied at 27 apiece and 45 seconds left in the game, and Los Angeles needed someone to step up on offense, which had stalled throughout the second half.
Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey rose to the occasion.
McConkey reeled in two passes for 55 yards that set up J.K. Dobbins’ go-ahead touchdown run.
“When we needed an answer, Ladd made some big catches and we moved the ball,” quarterback Justin Herbert said.
The first reception went for 28 yards. McConkey was covered by Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton, and the former Georgia product climbed the ladder and made a great catch near the right sideline.
Two plays later, McConkey ran an excellent corner route to make himself open near the left sideline, and Herbert delivered a strike for a gain of 27 yards. Dobbins then sealed the deal.
McConkey finished the game with six catches for 123 yards, which is a career-high and the most by a Chargers rookie since Keenan Allen.
The connection between McConkey and Herbert has continued to strengthen week after week, and the numbers speak for themselves.
McConkey is up to a team-high 43 receptions and 615 yards, both of which are second-most among all rookie wide receivers.
“He’s a dude,” running back J.K. Dobbins said. “He’s a baller. He’s a playmaker.”
People were writing off the Chargers’ wide receiver room because of the lack of top-end talent, but McConkey has provided the much-needed boost and has grown into a role that he can be counted on in crunch time.
