Tag: Justin Herbert

Game Balls: 5 standouts in Chargers’ Week 11 primetime victory

Once again, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was dominant in the team’s fourth consecutive victory.

The Chargers won their fourth straight game with a narrow victory in primetime on Sunday Night Football. The Bolts may not have won this game in the past, but it’s starting to feel like a new era with Jim Harbaugh.

Without further ado, here are the standouts from the Chargers’ impressive victory in Week 11.

QB Justin Herbert

Herbert was slinging the rock early on before cooling off in the second half. He finished the contest with 297 passing yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps most importantly, he was able to continuously escape the pocket and pick up first downs with his legs. Herbert finished with five carries and a season-high 65 rushing yards on the night.

WR Ladd McConkey

The rookie wideout racked up a career-high 123 receiving yards and tied his best mark of six catches. As Herbert continues to play better, so does McConkey. He’s become the clear No. 1 in an offense that desperately needed it earlier in the season. Without him, the Chargers would not have won this contest.

OT Joe Alt

This rookie class continues to perform, led by Alt and McConkey. Alt was phenomenal all night, and Herbert was sacked twice against the Bengals’ front. The rookie offensive tackle may be a candidate to make the AFC’s Pro Bowl squad.

EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu

With Khalil Mack out of the lineup, Tuipulotu continued his recent excellence. Against a vulnerable Bengals offensive line, he racked up 1.5 sacks, five total tackles, and four quarterback hits. All seven of his sacks on the season have now come in the last four weeks. Tuipulotu is tied for 11th in the NFL in bringing down the quarterback.

EDGE Joey Bosa

This was a vintage performance from Bosa and a reminder of how good he is when healthy. While he didn’t officially register a sack, he was after Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow all night long. Bosa finished with eight pressures and three quarterback hits on the evening. This Chargers pass rush has been exceptional recently, and that was on full display again on Sunday.

Ladd McConkey’s dominant rookie campaign continues: ‘He’s a baller’

Ladd McConkey has been one of the league’s top rookie wide receivers.

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.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 11 win over Bengals

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the win over the Bengals.

In Week 11, the Chargers defeated the Bengals, 34-27.

En route to victory, there were some standout performers and others who did not contribute as much.

That said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Top 5 Offense

WR Ladd McConkey — 85.7

OT Joe Alt — 84.1

OL Trey Pipkins — 81.3

OT Rashawn Slater — 79.1

OL Zion Johnson — 77.4

Top 5 Defense

S Alohi Gilman — 83.3

LB Denzel Perryman — 75.1

CB Cam Hart — 74.3

S Derwin James — 72.8

DT Poona Ford — 69.2

Bottom 5 Offense

WR Joshua Palmer — 64.0

RB Gus Edwards — 63.5

WR Quentin Johnston — 61.3

FB Scott Matlock — 53.9

WR Jalen Reagor — 52.2

Bottom 5 Defense

LB Daiyan Henley — 55.5

EDGE Bud Dupree — 54.2

S Elijah Molden — 50.2

DT Otito Ogbonnia — 47.5

CB Ja’Sir Taylor — 38.9

Everything to know from Chargers’ win over Bengals

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ thrilling win over the Bengals.

What. A. Game.

The Chargers outlasted the Bengals on Sunday night, improving to 7-3.

Here’s our recap of the Week 11 win.

It was over when…

J.K. Dobbins rushed for a 29-yard touchdown with 18 seconds remaining.

Notable number

According to ESPN’s Benjamin Solak, Justin Herbert now has 15 game-winning drives in his career. Only Patrick Mahomes and Kirk Cousins have more since 2020 when Herbert entered the league.

3 stars of the game

  1. QB Justin Herbert: Herbert was lights out in the first half. While he wasn’t nearly as sharp in the second half, Herbert made two big throws on the final drive to guide the team to victory.
  2. WR Ladd McConkey: McConkey finished with 123 yards on six catches, including two big receptions on the final possession to put the Chargers in Bengals territory.
  3. RB J.K. Dobbins: Dobbins had 11 carries for 56 yards and two rushing touchdowns, including the game-winner.

Quick hits

  • Herbert delivered dime after dime in the first half, completing 10 of 14 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. But that same level of play didn’t carry over into the second half.
  • The Chargers could not move the ball and went three and out on half of their offensive possessions, all while the Bengals crept back to tie the game off of 21 unanswered points, led by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins.
  • The Bengals had two opportunities in the fourth quarter to take the lead, but Evan McPherson missed his go-ahead field goal attempts from 48 and 51 yards.
  • In previous years, Los Angeles would have blown that type of game (it gave me flashbacks to the playoff loss to the Jaguars). But the defense made a big stop at the end, Herbert rallied the offense with two big throws to McConkey, and Dobbins delivered the knockout punch.
  • Herbert finished the game 17-of-36 passing for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and five carries for 65 yards. While he didn’t benefit from some dropped passes, there were a few instances of him missing receivers in the second half. Herbert also lost a fumble early in the fourth quarter.
  • For the first time this season, the Chargers’ defense gave up more than 20 points. They allowed the Bengals to convert on all three of their fourth-down attempts. Cincinnati totaled 452 yards.

What’s next?

The Chargers host the Ravens next Monday night, Nov. 25, at 5:15 pm PT.

Crumbling Chargers find way to pull out win over Bengals

The Chargers somehow won after blowing a 21-point lead to the Bengals

Talk about a game with a split personality.

The Los Angeles Chargers downed the Cincinnati Bengals 34-27 on “Sunday Night Football,” earning an improbable victory in what was headed for a heartbreaking defeat.

The Chargers got the game-winning touchdown on a 29-yard run J.K. Dobbins with 18 seconds left.

That ended a Bengals run of 21 straight points.

Yes, in the third quarter, Cincinnati trailed 27-6 only to score three touchdowns on Joe Burrow touchdown passes in eight minutes bridging the third and fourth quarters to tie the game.

The Bengals had opportunities to go ahead twice but Evan McPherson missed left with two field-goal attempts in the final quarter.

Another brutal loss for Cincinnati, which is 4-7 and finds ways to lose.

The Chargers, who won five games in 2023, are now 7-3 and two games behind the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.

Burrow threw for 356 yards. Tee Higgins had nine catches for 148 yards and a touchdown for the Bengals.

Justin Herbert threw for 297 yards and had two touchdown passes for LA.

Chargers highlight: Justin Herbert catches fire for second TD of the game

Justin Herbert is throwing lasers on Sunday Night Football.

Justin Herbert is throwing lasers on Sunday Night Football.

After a Bengals field goal cut the Chargers lead to 1, Herbert decided to take matters into his own hands. A hole shot over the outstretched hands of a Bengals corner hit Quentin Johnston for 22 yards down the left sideline. A seam throw to tight end Will Dissly got the Chargers another 20 yards on the following play.

After a 3 yard JK Dobbins run, Herbert once again took the ball into his own hands. He rolled right, scrambling forward before delivering a strike across the field to Johnston, who hauled in the catch for a 26 yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-6 early in the second quarter.

It’s Johnston’s sixth touchdown of the season in just eight games, as the second-year receiver has emerged as one of Los Angeles’ top weapons. The Chargers’ other main threat, rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, went to the locker room with a shoulder injury prior to the touchdown drive.

Herbert has now thrown 13 touchdowns to just 1 interception this season.

https://x.com/chargers/status/1858333029028274545

Chargers highlight: Justin Herbert splits three defenders for opening touchdown vs. Bengals

Gear up for another Justin Herbert masterpiece, Chargers fans.

Gear up for another Justin Herbert masterpiece, Chargers fans.

After Los Angeles’ defense held Cincinnati to a field goal in the red zone, Herbert and the Chargers offense took over for their second drive of the game. After a first down sack, the quarterback sparked the series with a 20 yard scramble up the middle.

Two throws, one for 6 yards to tight end Tucker Fisk and one for 20 yards to rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, brought the Chargers to the 29 yard line. Herbert dropped back to pass after play action, delivering a throw over the middle in rhythm.

The pass arced over the heads of two Bengals defenders and nestled into the arms of tight end Will Dissly in front of a Cincinnati safety as Dissly waltzed into the end zone to open the scoring for the Chargers.

The touchdown, Dissly’s first of the season despite his involvement in the passing game, put the Chargers ahead 7-3 in the first quarter on Sunday Night Football.

https://x.com/chargers/status/1858327108109598926

Chargers inactives: See who’s in and who’s out for Week 11 vs. Bengals

Find out if Khalil Mack will play on Sunday night.

The Chargers are about 90 minutes away from kicking off Week 11 against the Bengals.

Here is a look at their inactive players today:

WR DJ Chark

TE Hayden Hurst

RB Kimani Vidal

OL Brenden Jaimes

OL Jordan McFadden

QB Easton Stick (emergency 3rd)

Staff predictions for Chargers vs. Bengals in Week 11

Find out who the Chargers Wire staff is picking between Los Angeles and Cincinnati in Week 11.

The Los Angeles Chargers kick off Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Who is going to come out victorious?

Here is a look at the predictions from each of our writers at Chargers Wire:

Gavino:

The Chargers meet the Bengals, who will be the toughest offensive test they’ve faced this season. However, Los Angeles’ defense has been the best in the league, and I think Jesse Minter will have his guys schemed up to make it difficult for Joe Burrow and company. The Bolts are rolling on offense, while Cincinnati’s defense has struggled. Chargers 27, Bengals 17

Alex K:

Cincinnati’s offense is the best Los Angeles has faced this season, but the Chargers are red-hot on offense as Justin Herbert has put himself squarely into the MVP conversation. LA has not scored more than 30 points all year, however. Chargers 27, Bengals 24

Spencer:

This will be a massive test for the Chargers defense, especially since it’s a must-win for the Bengals. The two quarterbacks are both playing phenomenal football, but the Bengals pull this one off, led by Ja’Marr Chase’s excellence on the outside. Bengals 24, Chargers 21

3 bold predictions for Chargers in Week 11 vs. Bengals

Sunday Night Football will be in Los Angeles for the Chargers-Bengals in Week 11, a huge matchup for AFC playoff implications.

We’ve got a huge matchup in Los Angeles that will have major implications on the AFC playoff picture. The Chargers are coming off three consecutive victories, and at this point, Jim Harbaugh’s unit seems destined for the postseason.

On the flip side, the Bengals fell to 4-6 last week and have hung on for dear life in the playoff picture. Here are some bold predictions for this week’s contest.

Quarterbacks combine for 550+ passing yards

The quarterbacks in this matchup, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, have been playing unbelievable football recently. Each of them is undoubtedly a top-10 quarterback in the NFL. Herbert has looked fully healthy since the team’s bye week and has been the main reason for their recent winning streak. Burrow is playing at an MVP level, as he’s the league leader in passing yards and tied for the most touchdown passes.

Joshua Palmer hauls in catch of 40+ yards

The Bengals’ pass defense is exceptionally vulnerable, allowing the 10th-most yards through the air in 2024. In particular, the Chargers offense should be able to target Cam Taylor-Britt on the outside. The Bengals cornerback has allowed 37 receptions this season, the 11th-most in the league. A guy like Palmer should be able to take advantage of this and connect on a deep ball with Herbert. Palmer has just one touchdown the season but has six straight games with a catch of at least 24 yards.

Gus Edwards scores first TD as Charger

After 13 rushing touchdowns in 2023, Edwards has still yet to find the endzone as a Charger in 2024. There may not be a better opportunity than this weekend, as the Bengals have allowed 13 rushing TDs this season. That’s tied for fifth most in the NFL, and Edwards reclaimed the backup running back role last weekend.