The Cincinnati Bengals are no strangers to pulling themselves out of an early season hole. Last season, they nearly made the playoffs after a 1-3 start. In 2022, they opened 1-2 on their way to an AFC championship appearance. In 2021, the Bengals were 5-4 before they broke out en route to the Super Bowl.
After a 1-4 start to this season, the Bengals find themselves at 4-6, but in an enviable spot heading into Week 11, with a chance to gain ground on one of the teams ahead of them in the AFC wild-card race, the Los Angeles Chargers.
L.A. has found its stride under head coach Jim Harbaugh, racing out to a 6-3 start that has the Chargers firmly in the hunt in the AFC playoff picture, even if they entered Week 11 three games back of the Chiefs in the division. The Chargers hang their hat on the No. 6 total defense and No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL, and they’ll need to show up after Joe Borrow (35-of-56, 428 yards, 4 TD) and Ja’Marr Chase (11 catches, 264 yards, 3 TD) torched the Ravens in a thrilling 35-34 loss on Thursday Night Football in Week 10.
Live41 updates
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 5:45 AM GMT+1Ladd McConkey AGAIN
This is an insane throw with this much pressure in Justin Herbert’s face.
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 5:44 AM GMT+1Herbert to McConkey for a big play down the sideline
Huge gainer for L.A. to try to get in field goal range for Cameron Dicker
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 5:42 AM GMT+1Chargers force a quick Bengals punt, and Justin Herbert will have another shot
Neither offense can get going late. The Chargers will start at their own 16 and have 45 seconds and two timeouts to try to get into field goal range
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 5:39 AM GMT+1Chargers go 3-and-out VERY quickly
Three incomplete passes and the punt took just 22 seconds off the clock, and the Bengals have it back with two timeouts and 1:26 to go in the game.
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 5:36 AM GMT+1McPherson misses AGAIN!
This time, from 51 yards, both pulled to the left. The Chargers now take over from the 41-yard line. with another opportunity to go ahead
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 5:34 AM GMT+1Joe Burrow has been sparkling tonight
At the two-minute warning, Burrow is 27-for-42 for 329 yards and three touchdown passes with Tee Higgins as the leading receiver with nine catches for 148 yards and a touchdown.
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 5:26 AM GMT+1Holding penalty erases 3rd down pass, and Chargers will punt
A tough one for the Chargers to swallow after Justin Herbert hit Joshua Palmer to convert a 3rd and 4 that was called back for a hold on Rashawn Slater. After the punt, the Bengals will take over in their own end with the game still tied and just under 5:30 left in regulation.
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 5:22 AM GMT+1Evan McPherson misses from 48 yards
We remain tied at 27 with 7:31 to play, and the Chargers have a chance to break the tie, as their drive will start at the 38-yard-line
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 5:19 AM GMT+1Joe Burrow with a 15-yard scamper for a huge 3rd down conversion
It keeps the drive alive and get it to the Chargers’ 34-yard-line with eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 5:17 AM GMT+1This Cincinnati offense has some magicMon, November 18, 2024 at 5:14 AM GMT+1Cincinnati gets another stop
The Chargers offense has been non existent in the second half. After opening the second half with a field goal drive, their three drives since have been 13 plays for 51 yards, with two punts and a fumble. The Bengals have it with just over 11 minutes to go with a chance to take the lead after another J.K. Scott punt.
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 5:02 AM GMT+1Make it two touchdowns for Ja’Marr Chase
These two long-time tigers are just inevitable. Tie game in Los Angeles.
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 4:57 AM GMT+1Just some outrageous stuff from Joe Burrow
Everyone in an orange helmet at SoFi Stadium looks like a completely different player in this second half, and Joe Burrow is leading the charge.
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 4:55 AM GMT+1Herbert coughs it up
Geno Stone recovers the ball, and now the Bengals are in business. Logan Wilson’s leg knocked the ball out, and now the Bengals can tie the game on this drive, after trailing 27-6 in the third quarter.
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 4:51 AM GMT+1Mon, November 18, 2024 at 4:42 AM GMT+1A Burrow to Higgins 💣 on a 4th and 2 for a Touchdown
Cincinnati is right back in the game, with their explosive offense making a giant play. Its 27-20 in the thrid quarter, and the Bengals are squarely in this game.
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 4:35 AM GMT+1Bengals force a quick 3-and-out
Cincinnati forces the quick punt. Joseph Ossai got home to sack Justin Herbert, and now the Bengals are knocking on the door of getting back in the game after a poor punt by J.K. Scott.
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 4:28 AM GMT+1Ja’Marr Chase give the Bengals some life
The lead is cut to two touchdowns, and the Cincy defense will need to step up, but Chase’s 11th touchdown of the season gets the Bengals into a more manageable situation midway through the thrid quarter.
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 4:22 AM GMT+1Chase Brown breaks out to get the Bengals close to scoring position
Cincy needs chunk plays and they got one from the run game with Chase Brown to get in the red zone.
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 4:17 AM GMT+1Dicker adds to the lead after L.A. drive stalls
The action has slowed in the the third quarter, but that doesn’t mean the Chargers have stopped scoring. Cameron Dicker’s 53-yard field goal has the Chargers up 27-6, and the Cincinnati offense still can’t get out of first gear.