Bengals Vs Chargers Match Player Stats & Box Score

The Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers met in a high-stakes showdown that felt more like a January playoff game than a regular-season matchup. In a game defined by explosive aerial displays and a grueling battle in the trenches, the Chargers secured a 34-27 victory, surviving a furious second-half comeback by Joe Burrow. This result didn’t just add a “W” to the column; it redefined the AFC playoff hierarchy and served as a masterclass in situational football.

Quick Game Facts

Final Score: Los Angeles Chargers 34, Cincinnati Bengals 27
Date & Location: November 17, 2024 | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Weather: Indoors (Climate Controlled)
Attendance: 70,240
Time of Possession: Bengals (31:14) | Chargers (28:46)

The Stakes and the Narrative

Entering the night, both teams were desperate to solidify their postseason resumes. For the Chargers, it was about proving that Jim Harbaugh’s “physical-first” identity could withstand an elite passing attack. For the Bengals, it was a battle against the math—a must-win scenario to keep their Wild Card hopes from flickering out.

The Turning Point: The game’s momentum swung violently in the fourth quarter. After the Bengals erased a 21-point deficit to tie the game at 27-27, they had two opportunities to take the lead. However, two missed field goals by Evan McPherson gave the Chargers life. The ultimate dagger came with 0:18 remaining when J.K. Dobbins surged for a 29-yard touchdown run, punctuating a drive where the Chargers’ offensive line finally broke a tired Bengals front.

The Statistical Core

Top Performers Side-by-Side

Category	Cincinnati Bengals	Los Angeles Chargers
Top Passer	Joe Burrow (356 Yds)	Justin Herbert (297 Yds)
Top Rusher	Chase Brown (86 Yds)	J.K. Dobbins (56 Yds, 2 TD)
Top Receiver	Tee Higgins (148 Yds)	Ladd McConkey (123 Yds)
Top Tackler	Logan Wilson (10)	Daiyan Henley (11)

Team Efficiency Table

Metric	Bengals	Chargers
First Downs	26	21
Total Yards (Pass/Rush)	452 (356/96)	435 (297/138)
3rd Down Conv %	7/18 (38%)	6/15 (40%)
Red Zone Efficiency	2/4	3/4
Penalties (Yards)	5 (45)	7 (60)
Turnovers	0	1

The Quarterback Masterclass

Joe Burrow: The Volume King

Burrow was nothing short of heroic, playing behind a line that struggled to contain the Chargers’ edge rushers. His tactical approach focused on the intermediate middle, utilizing Tee Higgins to exploit soft spots in the zone. Burrow’s Expected Points Added (EPA) was elite during the third quarter, where he completed 10 consecutive passes. However, his inability to convert on the final two drives—partly due to pressure—ultimately capped the Bengals’ ceiling.

Justin Herbert: The Vertical Threat

Herbert showcased his “cannon” early, finishing with a high Average Depth of Target (aDOT). While the Bengals tried to take away the deep ball with two-high shells, Herbert’s poise under pressure was the difference. He scrambled for key first downs and utilized his “Big Time Throws” to find Ladd McConkey in tight windows.

QB Comparative Stats

Player	Cmp/Att	Yards	TD/INT	Sacks	Rating	Rush Yds
Joe Burrow	28/50	356	3/0	3	98.4	28
Justin Herbert	17/36	297	2/0	2	94.3	65

Positional Deep Dives

The Ground War

The Chargers relied on the “long game” with their rushing attack. While J.K. Dobbins was held in check for three quarters, the cumulative fatigue on the Bengals’ interior allowed for the late-game explosion.

Player	Carries	Yards	Avg	TD	Long
J.K. Dobbins (LAC)	11	56	5.1	2	29
Chase Brown (CIN)	22	86	3.9	0	15
Justin Herbert (LAC)	5	65	13.0	0	30

The Aerial Attack

Tee Higgins returned from injury with a vengeance, accounting for nearly 42% of the Bengals’ air yards. Conversely, the Chargers saw a breakout performance from rookie Ladd McConkey, who averaged nearly 21 yards per reception.

Player	Targets	Rec	Yards	TD	YPR
Tee Higgins (CIN)	13	9	148	1	16.4
Ladd McConkey (LAC)	9	6	123	0	20.5
Ja’Marr Chase (CIN)	12	7	75	2	10.7

The Defensive Wall & Special Teams

The Chargers’ defense, led by Defensive Player of the Game Tuli Tuipulotu, lived in the Bengals’ backfield. Tuipulotu recorded 1.5 sacks and 3 QB hits.

Sacks: Chargers (3.0), Bengals (2.0)
Special Teams: The game was arguably decided here. Evan McPherson missed two field goals (48 and 51 yards), while the Chargers’ JK Scott consistently flipped the field, averaging 48.2 yards per punt.

Advanced Metrics & “The Why”

The Chargers’ win probability dipped to 24% in the middle of the fourth quarter. They won by leaning into 12-personnel (1 RB, 2 TE) late in the game to force the Bengals into heavy packages, then exploited the edges with Herbert’s mobility. The Bengals’ offensive failure in the “Clutch” (defined as the last 5 minutes of a one-score game) was a statistical anomaly for Burrow, who struggled when the Chargers shifted to a “Simulated Pressure” scheme, showing blitz and dropping into coverage.

The Verdict

This game served as a microcosm of the 2024 season. For the Bengals, it was a story of “almost.” Despite an elite performance from Burrow and Higgins, the inability of the defense to finish and the uncharacteristic struggles of the kicking game have left them on the outside of the playoff bubble looking in.

For the Chargers, this win is a statement. Justin Herbert proved he doesn’t need to throw 50 times to win, and Jim Harbaugh’s philosophy of finishing games with the run was validated on the game’s final drive. Los Angeles is now a legitimate threat to the AFC’s elite.

FAQ Section

Who won the Bengals vs Chargers match?

The Los Angeles Chargers won the game 34-27.

What was the turning point of the game?

The turning point was J.K. Dobbins’ 29-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds remaining, following two missed field goal attempts by Bengals kicker Evan McPherson that would have given Cincinnati the lead.