Introduction
The Week 12 clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers proved to be an exciting matchup. The Bengals, with a record of 4-7 (3-3 on the road), faced off against the Chargers, who stood at 7-3 (4-1 at home). Both teams brought their best to the field, but ultimately, it was the Chargers who emerged victorious with a 34-27 win. In this blog post, we will break down the key player stats from this high-scoring game. We’ll take a look at the standout performances from both teams, focusing on individual statistics and game-changing moments.
First Quarter: A Slow Start
The game began with a relatively slow pace in the first quarter. Neither side was able to generate consistent momentum on offense. The Bengals started the game with a three-and-out, gaining just 17 yards in 5 plays, which took 2:29 off the clock. The Chargers also went three-and-out, picking up just 8 yards in 3 plays and taking 2:14 off the clock.
Bengals:
- Punt: 5 plays, 17 yards, 2:29
- Field Goal: 9 plays, 56 yards, 3:50 (Cincinnati’s first points came from this drive)
Chargers:
- Punt: 3 plays, 8 yards, 2:14
- Touchdown: 5 plays, 70 yards, 2:53 (This marked the Chargers’ first score of the game)
The Chargers capitalized on their opportunity, with Justin Herbert leading the offense down the field for a touchdown. Meanwhile, the Bengals were unable to capitalize on their opening drive and managed just a field goal on their second possession.
Second Quarter: Chargers Begin to Dominate
In the second quarter, the Chargers started to hit their stride. They scored 17 points in the quarter, while the Bengals could only manage a field goal.
Bengals:
- Field Goal: 11 plays, 57 yards, 5:40 (Cincinnati’s second field goal)
Chargers:
- Touchdown: 4 plays, 71 yards, 1:52 (Herbert’s arm was on full display during this drive)
- Touchdown: 9 plays, 66 yards, 4:53 (Chargers took a commanding 21-6 lead)
The Chargers’ offense was firing on all cylinders in the second quarter. Herbert connected with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams for big plays, while Austin Ekeler contributed with a touchdown run. The Bengals had difficulty maintaining a consistent offensive rhythm and found themselves down by 15 points at the half.
Third Quarter: Bengals Fight Back
The third quarter started with both teams failing to capitalize on their opening possessions. However, Cincinnati came alive in the latter stages of the third, scoring 14 points, while the Chargers were limited to just a field goal.
Bengals:
- Touchdown: 11 plays, 70 yards, 5:02 (Cincinnati narrowed the deficit to 24-12)
- Touchdown: 4 plays, 50 yards, 1:34 (The Bengals continued their strong performance in the third)
Chargers:
- Field Goal: 7 plays, 24 yards, 2:54 (Chargers extended their lead to 27-12)
The Bengals offense was much improved in the third quarter. Joe Burrow connected with Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins for crucial receptions. The offensive line gave Burrow enough time to orchestrate some impressive drives. The Chargers’ defense, however, stood firm and held the Bengals to just 14 points in the quarter.
Fourth Quarter: A Thrilling Finish
The final quarter of the game saw both teams fighting for the win. The Bengals scored two more touchdowns in the quarter, narrowing the gap to 27-27. But in the end, the Chargers were able to score the game-winning touchdown in the final moments, securing a 34-27 victory.
Bengals:
- Touchdown: 7 plays, 71 yards, 2:29 (Cincinnati tied the game at 27-27)
Chargers:
- Touchdown: 4 plays, 84 yards, 0:27 (The game-winning score by Herbert to Allen)
With the game tied at 27, it was clear that the last team to score would have the advantage. Herbert led the Chargers down the field, connecting with Allen for a 30-yard touchdown pass that sealed the victory. The Bengals had one final chance but were unable to respond in the last 18 seconds of the game.
Key Player Performances
Let’s take a closer look at the standout players of the game and their stats:
Joe Burrow (QB, Cincinnati Bengals)
- Completions: 22
- Attempts: 38
- Yards: 261
- Touchdowns: 2
- Interceptions: 0
- Passer Rating: 98.0
Joe Burrow had a solid performance despite the Bengals’ loss. He connected well with his receivers, especially in the second half, when he orchestrated two crucial touchdown drives. Burrow’s calmness under pressure was evident, and he threw two touchdowns, one to Tyler Boyd and one to Ja’Marr Chase. His performance gave the Bengals a shot at winning the game, but they ultimately came up short.
Justin Herbert (QB, Los Angeles Chargers)
- Completions: 23
- Attempts: 32
- Yards: 283
- Touchdowns: 3
- Interceptions: 0
- Passer Rating: 110.2
Justin Herbert was the key to the Chargers’ success. He threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns, two of which were to Keenan Allen. Herbert showed off his incredible arm strength and accuracy, leading his team to victory. His performance in the final moments, especially with the game-winning touchdown to Allen, was the difference-maker.
Austin Ekeler (RB, Los Angeles Chargers)
- Rushing Attempts: 16
- Rushing Yards: 60
- Touchdowns: 1
- Receptions: 5
- Receiving Yards: 40
Ekeler had a strong showing in both the running and passing games. His touchdown run in the second quarter helped the Chargers build a comfortable lead. Ekeler’s versatility, as both a runner and a receiver, was crucial in moving the chains for the Chargers.
Keenan Allen (WR, Los Angeles Chargers)
- Receptions: 7
- Receiving Yards: 97
- Touchdowns: 2
Allen played a pivotal role in Herbert’s success, catching two touchdown passes, including the game-winning touchdown. He was Herbert’s most reliable target throughout the game and was often found in the open field.
Tyler Boyd (WR, Cincinnati Bengals)
- Receptions: 5
- Receiving Yards: 61
- Touchdowns: 1
Tyler Boyd had a solid game, particularly in the second half. His touchdown catch helped the Bengals close the gap and keep them in the game. Boyd’s ability to make plays in crucial moments was one of the highlights of the Bengals’ offense.
Mike Williams (WR, Los Angeles Chargers)
- Receptions: 4
- Receiving Yards: 60
- Touchdowns: 0
Mike Williams contributed to the Chargers’ offensive explosion, providing Herbert with a reliable target. While he did not score a touchdown, his receptions were crucial in keeping the offense moving.
Game Summary
In a game filled with excitement, the Los Angeles Chargers were able to come out on top with a 34-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite a strong comeback from the Bengals in the second half, the Chargers were able to hold on to their lead, thanks to impressive performances from Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, and Keenan Allen. The Bengals showed resilience but fell short in the final minutes. Joe Burrow threw for over 250 yards and two touchdowns, leading his team to score 21 unanswered points in the second half. However, the Chargers’ offensive firepower, particularly in the form of Herbert’s clutch plays, proved too much to overcome.
Conclusion
The Bengals vs. Chargers game was a hard-fought battle that showcased the talent of both teams. While the Bengals displayed resilience, the Chargers’ offense, led by Herbert and Allen, was simply too much to handle. Both teams will look to build on this game as they move forward in the season. For the Bengals, there are positives to take from the second-half performance, while the Chargers will continue to rely on their explosive offense to carry them through the remainder of the season.
FAQS
1. Who won the Bengals vs Chargers match?
The Los Angeles Chargers won the game 34-27.
2. What were Joe Burrow’s stats in the Bengals vs Chargers game?
Joe Burrow threw for 261 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.
3. How many touchdowns did Justin Herbert throw?
Justin Herbert threw 3 touchdowns in the game.
4. Who was the top receiver for the Chargers?
Keenan Allen was the top receiver with 7 receptions for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns.
5. Did the Bengals manage to make a comeback?
Yes, the Bengals scored 21 unanswered points but fell short, losing 34-27.
