Justin Herbert, Chargers get rollercoaster victory against Bengals

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) celebrates his touchdown in the first half during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Chris Rumph II (94) and Christian Covington (95) celebrate a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Mixon (28) runs in for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Mike Williams (81) is chased by Cincinnati Bengals’ Vonn Bell (24) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Jalen Guyton (15) runs out of the tackle of Cincinnati Bengals’ Jessie Bates (30) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Cincinnati Bengals’ Chidobe Awuzie (22) intercepts a pass intended by Los Angeles Chargers’ Josh Palmer (5) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Mixon (28) runs in for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Mike Williams (81) is chased by Cincinnati Bengals’ Vonn Bell (24) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Cincinnati Bengals’ Tyler Boyd (83) makes a catch against Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James (33) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Austin Ekeler (30) runs in for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase (1) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers’ Tevaughn Campbell (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Mixon (28) runs out of the tackle of Los Angeles Chargers’ Breiden Fehoko (96) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers’ Jerry Tillery (99) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) fumbles as he is hit by Los Angeles Chargers’ Uchenna Nwosu (42) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Uchenna Nwosu (42) and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) dive for a fumble by Burrow during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. Nwosu recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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CINCINNATI — Chargers coach Brandon Staley declined to call his offense inconsistent last week because he’s seen what Justin Herbert and his playmakers are capable of doing when playing from ahead.

Staley’s theory appeared to be right when the Chargers turned a fast start into a double-digit lead against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Herbert and the Chargers’ offense were lighting up the scoreboard the same way they did against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns earlier this year.

But regardless of how perfect of a situation the Chargers have, they rarely make it easy on themselves. Staley has helped the Chargers win one-score games this season, but they still haven’t figured out how to protect leads.

The Chargers had another meltdown, but that issue became an afterthought after cornerback Tevaughn Campbell stopped the bleeding with a scoop-and-score touchdown.

The Chargers again avoided disaster and defeated the Bengals 41-22 at Paul Brown Stadium in front of an announced crowd of 51,414. The Chargers (7-5) jumped the Bengals (7-5) in the AFC playoff standings because of the head-to-head tiebreaker.

It ended well for the Chargers, but they let a 24-0 advantage turn into a 24-22 score heading into the fourth quarter. Herbert’s offense reverted to what the Chargers did in a sluggish outing against the Denver Broncos last week. At the time, Staley pointed to the 14-0 deficit for why his offense isn’t inconsistent.

Staley wasn’t pleased about nearly losing the lead, especially with three costly turnovers, but he focused on the positive. The Chargers closed the game with 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

It was a sign of growth from the Chargers, who are in the process of shaking their ugly past of blown games. In Week 11, the Chargers lost a 17-point lead to the Steelers and trailed late in the fourth quarter before prevailing 41-37.

“I think what’s different than the Pittsburgh game and some of the other games, we got control in the fourth quarter,” Staley said. “That’s what I was satisfied with is that we shut them out in the fourth quarter.”

The Bengals trimmed the Chargers’ 24-0 lead by turning two Austin Ekeler fumbles into touchdowns. Bengals running back Joe Mixon had a 7-yard rushing touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-22 with 7:10 in the third quarter.

The strange game had 24 unanswered points from the Chargers, followed by 22 unanswered by the Bengals and seven turnovers combined. The final scoreboard suggests that the Chargers had a dominant signature victory, but they were fading before Campbell had his 61-yard touchdown return.

Chargers defensive tackle Christian Covington, who played for the Bengals last season, hit the ball away from Mixon and Campbell recovered the fumble to increase the Chargers’ lead to 31-22 with 13:43 in the fourth quarter.

Ekeler made up for the fumbles with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to extend the Chargers’ lead to 38-22 with 10:49 left in regulation.

The Chargers’ defense recorded four takeaways, six sacks and hit Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow 11 times. It was the first time the Chargers had six sacks in a game since 2016, and they did it with star edge rusher Joey Bosa missing the second half. Bosa was cleared of a concussion, but Staley decided to play it safe and had Bosa on the sideline.

Staley will need to figure out why his team is losing double-digit leads, but playing from ahead got the Chargers’ offense back on track. Herbert was aggressive from the start with two completions of 40-plus yards to wide receiver Mike Williams.

Herbert finished 26 of 35 for 317 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Williams had five catches for 110 yards.

“It’s always easier when you’re up against the opponent,” Herbert said. “It’s obviously always our goal to get up and go score, move the ball, but you know, the defense did a great job today coming up with some big stops and big turnovers. That makes our job a lot easier.”

Herbert had his third pass of 40-plus yards when he found wide receiver Jalen Guyton in the end zone. Guyton wrestled the ball away from a Bengals defender and recorded the touchdown catch.

Herbert then had his own catch on the Chargers’ version of the “Philly Special” during the 2-point conversion. Ekeler pitched it back to wide receiver Keenan Allen, who threw it in the end zone to a falling Herbert. The Chargers had a 24-0 lead with 10:12 in the second quarter.

But then the Chargers’ collapse occurred. Burrow threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins and had a 6-yard touchdown run to trim the Chargers’ lead to 24-13 at halftime.

Burrow finished 24 of 40 for 300 yards, one touchdown, one rushing touchdown and two interceptions. Higgins had a game-high nine catches for 138 yards and one touchdown. The Chargers’ defense contained Mixon for 54 yards on 19 carries with one touchdown.

The Chargers had a near perfect start on their opening drive, which was ignited by a 48-yard kickoff return from wide receiver Andre Roberts. The Chargers avoided a three-and-out with a 10-yard reception from Allen and moved up the field with a 41-yard catch from Williams. Herbert then found Allen for a 4-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal.

The fast start wasn’t perfect because kicker Dustin Hopkins missed the extra-point attempt to give the Chargers a 6-0 lead with 11:31 in the first quarter. But Hopkins quickly redeemed himself with a 43-yard field goal to increase the lead 9-0 with 6:28 in the first quarter.

The Chargers’ defense had two takeaways in the opening quarter. Edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu had a strip sack on Burrow and recovered the fumble that led to Hopkins’ field goal.

Chargers cornerback Michael Davis recorded his first interception of the season after Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase bobbled a pass that likely would have turned into a touchdown.

Herbert capitalized on the second takeaway with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Allen to extend the lead 16-0 with 1:34 in the first quarter. The second touchdown drive got a boost from Williams’ 47-yard reception.

It was the fast start that Staley wanted to see against the Broncos. The Chargers are hard to beat when Herbert is pushing the ball downfield to different playmakers.

“The way we came out offensively is our type of recipe,” Staley said. “Getting the ball to Mike in the deep part of the field, getting the ball to Jalen Guyton. We were aggressive in the deep part of the field today.”

 

 

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