Bengals vs Chargers Match Player Stats (Nov 17, 2024)
J.K. Dobbins burst through Cincinnati’s defense for a 29-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left, capping an 84-yard drive that took just 26 seconds and gave the Los Angeles Chargers a 34-27 victory at SoFi Stadium on November 17th. The Week 11 AFC matchup drew 70,240 fans who saw Cincinnati drop their fifth game by seven points or fewer this season.
Table of Contents
Quick Score Summary
Final: Los Angeles Chargers 34, Cincinnati Bengals 27
| Quarter | Score | Key Play |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | LAC 7-3 | Dissly 29-yard TD reception |
| Q2 | LAC 24-6 | Johnston TD, Dobbins TD, Dicker FG |
| Q3 | Tied 27-27 | Chase TD, Higgins 42-yard TD |
| Q4 | LAC 34-27 | Dobbins 29-yard TD (0:18) |
Game Deciders:
- Evan McPherson: 0-for-2 on fourth quarter field goals (48, 51 yards)
- J.K. Dobbins: 29-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left
- Final drive: 84 yards in 26 seconds
Quarterback Statistical Breakdown
Joe Burrow completed 28 of 50 passes for 356 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, finishing with a 98.4 passer rating. The Chargers sacked him three times for 14 yards lost, yet Burrow converted all three of Cincinnati’s fourth-down attempts with two resulting in touchdowns. His legs added another dimension, scrambling for 28 yards on two carries including a critical 14-yard gain on third-and-nine in the fourth quarter.
Justin Herbert’s 17 completions on 36 attempts produced 297 yards, two touchdowns, and a 94.3 rating. While his 47.2% completion percentage appears low, Herbert’s 65 rushing yards on five carries led all players and kept multiple drives alive. His 30-yard scramble in the second quarter changed field position and momentum. Cincinnati sacked him twice for 17 yards, including Joseph Ossai’s third-quarter takedown that forced a punt.
| QB Stats | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks-Yards | Rating | Rush Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Burrow (CIN) | 28/50 | 356 | 3 | 0 | 3-14 | 98.4 | 28 |
| Justin Herbert (LAC) | 17/36 | 297 | 2 | 0 | 2-17 | 94.3 | 65 |
According to Pro Football Reference’s detailed game log, Burrow’s fourth-down conversions came at crucial moments: a 4-yard touchdown to Chase, an 8-yard pass to Higgins to extend a drive, and the spectacular 42-yard touchdown to Higgins.
Cincinnati Receiving Production
Tee Higgins returned from a three-game absence with authority. Nine catches on 13 targets generated 148 yards and a touchdown, his first 100-yard game of 2024. The 148 yards tied the second-highest single-game total in his career. His 42-yard touchdown on fourth-and-two in the third quarter ignited Cincinnati’s comeback from an 18-point deficit.
Ja’Marr Chase’s first catch, a 32-yard gain, pushed him past 1,000 receiving yards for the season, marking his fourth consecutive year reaching that milestone to start his career. Only Randy Moss and A.J. Green have matched this achievement. Chase finished with seven receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 41 career receiving touchdowns and making him the fifth-fastest player to reach 40 in NFL history.
| Cincinnati Receivers | Rec | Targets | Yards | TD | Avg | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tee Higgins | 9 | 13 | 148 | 1 | 16.4 | 42 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | 7 | 13 | 75 | 2 | 10.7 | 32 |
| Chase Brown | 5 | 7 | 57 | 0 | 11.4 | 34 |
| Andrei Iosivas | 3 | 3 | 46 | 0 | 15.3 | 27 |
| Tanner Hudson | 2 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 6.5 | 9 |
| Drew Sample | 1 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 9.0 | 9 |
| Jermaine Burton | 1 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 8.0 | 8 |
| Mike Gesicki | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Chase Brown’s dual-threat capability produced 57 receiving yards on five catches to complement his rushing workload. Andrei Iosivas made his biggest contribution with a 27-yard reception with 10 seconds remaining, giving Cincinnati one final shot. Mike Gesicki went without a catch despite two targets, an unusual absence for the veteran tight end.
Los Angeles Pass Catchers
Ladd McConkey chose the perfect time for a career game. The rookie receiver caught six passes for 123 yards on nine targets, setting a personal best. His back-to-back receptions of 28 and 27 yards during the game-winning drive proved decisive. McConkey’s composure in the clutch contradicted his inexperience.
Will Dissly provided veteran production with four catches for 80 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown in the first quarter that marked his longest reception since 2022. Quentin Johnston struggled with efficiency, hauling in just two of eight targets, though one went for a 26-yard touchdown. Despite the low catch rate, Johnston has now scored in three consecutive games.
| LA Chargers Receivers | Rec | Targets | Yards | TD | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladd McConkey | 6 | 9 | 123 | 0 | 20.5 |
| Will Dissly | 4 | 6 | 80 | 1 | 20.0 |
| Quentin Johnston | 2 | 8 | 48 | 1 | 24.0 |
| Joshua Palmer | 2 | 4 | 23 | 0 | 11.5 |
| Derius Davis | 1 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 14.0 |
| Tucker Fisk | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 6.0 |
| J.K. Dobbins | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3.0 |
For more on the Chargers’ offensive evolution this season, their emphasis on explosive plays over sustained drives continued to pay dividends in this matchup.
Rushing Attack Comparison
Both teams ran exactly 25 times, but the efficiency gap proved decisive. Los Angeles averaged 6.2 yards per carry to Cincinnati’s 4.4, and more importantly, scored two rushing touchdowns while the Bengals found no paydirt on the ground.
| Rushing Leaders | Team | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Brown | CIN | 22 | 86 | 3.9 | 0 | 27 |
| Justin Herbert | LAC | 5 | 65 | 13.0 | 0 | 30 |
| J.K. Dobbins | LAC | 11 | 56 | 5.1 | 2 | 29 |
| Joe Burrow | CIN | 2 | 28 | 14.0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gus Edwards | LAC | 6 | 27 | 4.5 | 0 | 9 |
| Derius Davis | LAC | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | 6 |
| Hassan Haskins | LAC | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Drew Sample | CIN | 1 | -4 | -4.0 | 0 | -4 |
J.K. Dobbins delivered when it counted. His first touchdown came on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line in the second quarter, pushing the lead to 21-6. The second was the 29-yard game-winner, finding a crease in Cincinnati’s exhausted defense. Chase Brown’s 22 carries produced steady gains but without reaching the endzone, Cincinnati’s red zone efficiency suffered.
Defensive Statistics and Impact
Daiyan Henley led all players with 11 tackles (5 solo) for a Chargers defense that entered Week 11 allowing just 13.1 points per game, best in the NFL. They surrendered a season-high 27 points to Cincinnati, ending their nine-game streak of holding opponents under 20 points. Derwin James Jr. recorded 10 tackles and saved the game by deflecting Burrow’s final Hail Mary attempt.
Logan Wilson created the game’s only turnover, punching the ball free from Herbert at the Los Angeles 24-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Geno Stone fell on it, and Cincinnati capitalized immediately with Chase’s 17-yard touchdown that tied the game at 27.
| Defensive Leaders | Team | Total | Solo | Sacks | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daiyan Henley | LAC | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Derwin James Jr. | LAC | 10 | 7 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Geno Stone | CIN | 9 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Logan Wilson | CIN | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Germaine Pratt | CIN | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike Hilton | CIN | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Alohi Gilman | LAC | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cam Hart | LAC | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
The pass rush battle slightly favored Los Angeles. They sacked Burrow three times for 14 yards lost, with Poona Ford recording a full sack and Tuli Tuipulotu getting 1.5 sacks plus four quarterback hits. Cincinnati managed two sacks of Herbert for 17 yards, with Joseph Ossai and Trey Hendrickson each contributing.
Special Teams: Where Games Are Won and Lost
Evan McPherson’s fourth-quarter struggles directly cost Cincinnati the game. After converting from 26 and 27 yards in the first half, he pushed a 48-yarder wide left with 7:31 remaining and the score tied 27-27. With 1:52 left and another chance to take the lead, his 51-yard attempt also sailed left. Six points that never reached the scoreboard.
Cameron Dicker operated flawlessly for Los Angeles. His field goals from 19 and 53 yards both split the uprights, and he converted all four extra points. The 10 points from Dicker’s leg exceeded Cincinnati’s nine from McPherson, a margin that mattered in a seven-point game.
| Kicking Performance | FG Made | FG Att | FG % | Long | XP | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Dicker (LAC) | 2 | 2 | 100% | 53 | 4/4 | 10 |
| Evan McPherson (CIN) | 2 | 4 | 50% | 27 | 3/3 | 9 |
Punting Battle:
- Ryan Rehkow (CIN): 5 punts, 50.0 average, 64-yard long, 2 inside 20
- JK Scott (LAC): 6 punts, 46.7 average, 58-yard long, 2 inside 20
Game Flow and Turning Points
First Quarter (LAC 7, CIN 3)
Will Dissly’s 29-yard touchdown at 3:34 gave Los Angeles the early lead. Cincinnati drove into scoring position but penalties derailed their red zone opportunity. An illegal shift wiped out a potential score, then Joe Burrow took an intentional grounding penalty that pushed them out of touchdown range. Evan McPherson’s 26-yard field goal was all they could manage.
Second Quarter (LAC 24, CIN 6)
Los Angeles dominated the period with 17 points. Quentin Johnston hauled in a 26-yard touchdown, then J.K. Dobbins punched in a one-yarder on fourth-and-goal. Cameron Dicker added a 19-yard field goal as time expired after Trey Hendrickson’s roughing the passer penalty extended the drive. Cincinnati managed just a 27-yard field goal from McPherson.
Third Quarter Comeback (27-27)
Cincinnati erupted for 14 unanswered points. Ja’Marr Chase caught a 4-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal at 5:27. Tee Higgins followed with his spectacular 42-yard touchdown reception on fourth-and-two with 2:53 left. Los Angeles managed only a 53-yard Dicker field goal while their offense stalled completely.
Fourth Quarter Drama (LAC wins 34-27)
Chase’s 17-yard touchdown at 12:21 tied the game after Logan Wilson forced Herbert’s fumble. Then came McPherson’s costly misses at 7:35 (48 yards) and 1:52 (51 yards), both wide left with the game tied. Los Angeles seized the opportunity with their lightning-quick final drive.
The 26-Second Game Winner
Starting at their own 16-yard line with 45 seconds on the clock, Los Angeles needed to go 84 yards. The sequence unfolded rapidly:
1st & 10 (LAC 16): Herbert to McConkey for 28 yards
1st & 10 (LAC 44): Incomplete to Dissly
2nd & 10 (LAC 44): Herbert to McConkey for 27 yards
Timeout #2 LAC (0:35)
1st & Goal (CIN 29): Dobbins 29-yard touchdown run (0:18)
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s decision to run on first-and-goal caught Cincinnati’s defense off-guard. Dobbins found a massive hole on the left side and sprinted untouched to the endzone.
Cincinnati used their final timeout with 26 seconds left after the touchdown. Burrow found Iosivas for 27 yards to reach the Chargers’ 43 with 10 seconds remaining. His next pass to Chase fell incomplete. On the final play, Burrow’s Hail Mary reached the endzone but Derwin James elevated to knock it down, securing the victory.
Statistical Team Comparison
| Category | Cincinnati | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 452 | 435 | CIN +17 |
| Total Plays | 78 | 63 | CIN +15 |
| Yards/Play | 5.8 | 6.9 | LAC +1.1 |
| Time of Possession | 34:08 | 25:52 | CIN +8:16 |
| First Downs | 24 | 24 | Even |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 5/17 (29.4%) | 3/11 (27.3%) | CIN +2.1% |
| 4th Down Conversions | 3/3 (100%) | 1/1 (100%) | Both Perfect |
| Red Zone Scores | 2/4 (50%) | 1/2 (50%) | Even |
| Penalties-Yards | 8-56 | 5-50 | LAC +3-6 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 | CIN +1 |
The numbers show Cincinnati controlled the game flow with 34:08 of possession and 78 offensive plays. Yet Los Angeles’s 6.9 yards per play exceeded Cincinnati’s 5.8, proving that efficiency can overcome time of possession.
Player Performance Grades
Cincinnati Bengals
- Joe Burrow: A – Outstanding performance (356 yards, 3 TDs, perfect on fourth downs) deserved better outcome
- Tee Higgins: A – Dominant return game with 148 yards including clutch fourth-down TD
- Ja’Marr Chase: A- – Two touchdowns and milestone 1,000-yard season
- Chase Brown: B – Solid 143 total yards but no touchdowns when needed
- Evan McPherson: F – Two fourth-quarter misses with game tied proved fatal
Los Angeles Chargers
- Ladd McConkey: A+ – Career-high 123 yards with two catches setting up game-winner
- J.K. Dobbins: A+ – Two touchdowns including the decisive 29-yarder
- Justin Herbert: B+ – Accuracy issues (47.2%) offset by 65 rush yards and clutch final drive
- Cameron Dicker: A – Perfect execution when called upon
- Derwin James Jr.: A – 10 tackles plus game-saving deflection
Injury Report
Several players left temporarily during action. Ladd McConkey exited in the first quarter but returned for his career day. Tee Higgins briefly departed after a reviewed fumble (later overturned) but came back strong. DJ Turner II left for Cincinnati and didn’t return, forcing secondary adjustments. B.J. Hill also exited but returned to contribute three tackles.
Los Angeles saw Elijah Molden and Otito Ogbonnia both leave and return. Denzel Perryman’s fourth-quarter departure thinned their linebacker corps during crucial late possessions.
Context and Milestones
This loss marked Cincinnati’s fifth by seven points or fewer in 2024, a disturbing trend that has derailed their playoff aspirations. The Bengals’ recent history against AFC West opponents shows similar close losses.
Joe Burrow’s three touchdown passes gave him 21 such games through his first five NFL seasons, tying Kurt Warner for third-most in that span. His perfect fourth-down performance (3-for-3, two TDs) exemplified his clutch play that ultimately went unrewarded.
For Los Angeles, this victory provided head coach Jim Harbaugh a signature win in his first season. Their defense allowed a season-high 27 points but made stops when absolutely necessary. The win improved their playoff positioning in a competitive AFC.
Officials and Venue
Referee: Brad Allen
Crew: Rick Patterson, Chad Hill, Daniel Gallagher, Duane Heydt, Walter Flowers, Tyree Walton
Stadium: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Attendance: 70,240
Key Questions Answered
Who won Bengals vs Chargers?
Los Angeles Chargers defeated Cincinnati Bengals 34-27 on November 17, 2024.
What were Joe Burrow’s stats?
Burrow completed 28 of 50 passes for 356 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and a 98.4 passer rating.
How did the Chargers win?
J.K. Dobbins scored a 29-yard touchdown with 18 seconds remaining after an 84-yard drive that took just 26 seconds.
What cost Cincinnati the game?
Evan McPherson missed field goals from 48 and 51 yards in the fourth quarter with the score tied 27-27.
How did Tee Higgins perform in his return?
Higgins caught 9 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown after missing three games with a quad injury.
Complete Game Summary
The statistics from this Bengals-Chargers matchup illustrate how games aren’t always won by the team that controls the clock. Cincinnati held the ball for over 34 minutes, ran 78 plays to Los Angeles’s 63, and didn’t commit a turnover. But Los Angeles averaged 6.9 yards per play to Cincinnati’s 5.8, scored when they reached the red zone, and got perfect special teams execution.
According to CBS Sports’ game analysis, this marked another example of Cincinnati’s inability to close out tight games in 2024. The Bengals have now lost five games by a touchdown or less, with special teams failures playing a role in multiple defeats.
The Chargers proved that explosive plays and clutch execution can overcome possession disadvantages. Their 26-second game-winning drive stands as one of the quickest decisive scoring drives in recent NFL history. For complete Bengals vs Chargers player stats and historical context, this Week 11 battle will be remembered for Dobbins’ speed, McPherson’s misses, and how quickly fortunes can change in professional football.
