Tag: los angeles chargers

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.

Steelers fans react to Chris Boswell’s incredible Week 11 performance

Chris Boswell shines again, leading the Steelers to an 8-2 start in 2024 going six for six on field goals in Week 11’s victory.

The ‘Wizard of Boz’ strikes again. While fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers anticipated QBs Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson to create a high-scoring Week 11 contest, they were instead treated to another Chris Boswell masterclass.

Boswell has achieved accolade after accolade to begin the 2024 season, being named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month in both September and October, as well as kicking his 1,000th career point in the Steelers’ Week 3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

His best performance in 2024 came all the way back in Week 1, kicking a perfect six-for-six field goals from 57, 56, 51, 44, 40, and 25 yards.

Boswell matched his season-best six field goals made in the Steelers’ Week 11 victory over the Ravens, kicking for 57, 52, 50, 32, 32, and 27 yards.

The Steelers’ kicker is putting together one of his best seasons to date, with his confidence, accuracy, and consistency rallying his team to an unbelievable 8-2 start in 2024.

Here are some of the best fan reactions to Boswell’s immaculate Week 11 performance.

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Bengals fans wanted Zac Taylor’s staff fired after loss to Chargers

Bengals fans are fed up after Week 11.

The Cincinnati Bengals fought back to avoid an ugly blowout loss, but falling in a 27-6 hole and losing 34-27 to the Los Angeles Chargers had fans furious.

Now 4-7 and with the season seemingly lost, Bengals fans are perhaps ready to try something new.

Here’s how Bengals fans reacted after the Week 11 loss.

 

 

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Instant analysis as Bengals lose another heartbreaker, fall to 4-7

Instant analysis after Bengals vs. Chargers in Week 11.

The Cincinnati Bengals went through an emotional roller coaster on Sunday night. They were down 27-6, rallied to tie the game at 27, only to give it right back to the Los Angeles Chargers with 18 seconds left. In the end, the Bengals leave SoFi Stadium on the wrong end of a 34-27 decision to fall to 4-7, putting their playoff hopes on life support. Here are some notes and numbers from yet another gut-punching loss.

 

Quick thoughts

  • After forcing a Chargers punt on their opening drive, the Bengals marched down the field…until they stalled out inside the five following an illegal shift penalty and then intentional grounding. They went from 1st and goal from the three to 3rd and goal from the 18. The Bengals had to settle for a field goal.
  • Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was dealing early but the Bengals eventually settled in and swarmed Herbert.
  • The Bengals finally got into the end zone midway through the third quarter when Joe Burrow hit Ja’Marr Chase, who was one-on-one with Chargers rookie cornerback Cam Hart. It was a fourth-down play. A miss would have meant a third red zone trip without a touchdown.
  • Momentum definitely started to shift there. It became more evident when the Bengals finally connected on a deep shot on a 4th and short, something they’ve tried plenty of this season but couldn’t hit. They had one go in their favor for a change when Burrow hit Higgins on a 42-yard touchdown on 4th and 2 to pull back within 27-20.
  • The defense that showed up in the second half, where has it been all year? Early in the fourth quarter, between Mike Hilton and Logan Wilson, the two helped cause a fumble from Herbert that was recovered by Geno Stone. That fumble eventually led to a Chase touchdown that tied the game at 27.
  • All that momentum drained when Evan McPherson missed a field goal and Herbert found his rhythm just in the nick of time.

 

Key stat

Between the end of the first half and the start of the second half, the Bengals had three straight three-and-outs. Couple that with the Bengals going 5-of-17 on third down and the Bengals will watch film this week thinking they left way too much on the table.

 

Game balls

QB Joe Burrow: Joey Cool never wavered, even when down 27-6. He orchestrated three touchdown drives to tie the game at 27. Burrow finished 28-of-50 for 356 yards and three touchdowns.

WR Tee Higgins: After briefly leaving the game in the first quarter, Higgins helped turn the momentum back in Cincinnati’s favor with a 42-yard touchdown on a 4th and 2. Higgins finished with nine catches for 148 yards and a touchdown.

 

Top takeaway

For most of the second half, the Bengals looked like a team that knew their season was pretty much hanging in the balance. They scored 21 straight to get to a 27-27 tie. Then that final drive happened — on top of the McPherson miss. At 4-7, it’s a very uphill battle to reach the postseason. The Steelers lead the AFC North at 8-2 and two of the wild cards have seven wins. The saving grace is that the Bengals do play the Broncos, the current holders of the final playoff spot at 6-5, in Week 17. But the Bengals need to turn things around well before that game for it to even have any sort of meaning.

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Chargers highlight: J.K. Dobbins goes airborne to extend the Chargers’ lead

Jim Harbaugh has the Bengals in his sights.

Jim Harbaugh has the Bengals in his sights.

After two stellar drives by Justin Herbert on an individual level, the quarterback sparked the Chargers’ fourth drive of the game with a 30 yard scramble to take the ball into Bengals territory. An outlet pass to Derius Davis on the following play got the ball into the red zone.

From there, it turned into Harbaugh-ball. Five of the Chargers’ next seven plays were runs, the first of which went for 9 yards as Gus Edwards plowed through the middle of the line. An incomplete pass by Herbert was wiped out by an unnecessary roughness penalty, giving Los Angeles first and goal from the 2.

After another incompletion by Herbert, the Chargers decided enough was enough. Los Angeles handed the ball to Hassan Haskins on the next two plays, but the running back was unable to reach the ball across the goal line, forcing the Chargers into a fourth and goal from the 1 yard line.

No worries, said Harbaugh, who put his offense out there to extend the lead. JK Dobbins took the handoff this time, diving over the middle of the offensive line for a 1 yard touchdown, his seventh score of the season.

The touchdown gave the Chargers a commanding 21-6 lead in the second quarter on Sunday Night Football.

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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.

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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.

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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