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.
Tuli Tuipulotu ends the Cincy drive its another sack
Last week, the Ravens gave up 290 passing yards an 4 touchdown passes to Lamar Jackson. They'll need better than this to keep up with the Chargers offense which has been on fire to start tonight.
Justin Herbert is 6-for-6 for 123 yards and two touchdown passes
The Bengals would be well served to slow down the Chargers passing attack.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Yahoo Sports Staff
Justin Herbert is putting on a clinic
This is a crazy good throw. Not just unteachably great arm talent, but the athleticism to make this eye-popping throw is just outrageous.
Chargers hold Bengals to another red zone field goal attempt
Los Angeles has bowed up on D when Cincy has been in the red zone. Evan McPherson convets a 27-yard field goal this time to make the scoer 7-6 in favor of the Chargers. Cincy has been able to mve the ball between the 20s, but the Chargers' secondary has been sticky in coverage once the field gets
Yahoo Sports Staff
Bengals convert on big 4th down to end the first quarter
After the two teams traded timeouts before the play. Joe Burrow found Tee Higgins for the first down to keep the Cincy drive alive as the Bengals look to answer the L.A. touchdown with the second quarter getting started.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Will Dissly on the receiving end of this frozen rope from Justin Herbert
This ball was SPUN by Herbert for the game's first touchdown. 29 yards in the reception and Dissly hayls in his 14th career touchdown.
Herbert finds Dissly up the seam! 29-yard touchdown!
Both teams trade punts on their early drives. Its looks like both sides are feeling each other out early in the first quarter. With these two quarterbacks doing an excellent job protecting the ball this season — Justin Herebet has thrown one interception this season and Joe Burrow has thrown four — both of them getting settled into the game early makes sense, before any big chances are taken by either offense.
Higgins has missed the last three games with a quad injury, but is back for this pivotal trip to L.A. with the 6-3 Chargers ahead of the 4-6 Bengals in a crowded AFC playoff picture. This is Cincinnati's last game against a team currently ahead of them in the AFC wild card chase — they do have two games left against the AFC North leading Steelers — but this a must-win for the Bengals to stay in the hunt for a wild card spot.
