Inglewood, CA — The Los Angeles Chargers continued their strong push toward the playoffs with a commanding 38-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11, improving their record to 7-3. In what was expected to be a one-sided matchup, the Chargers’ defense continued to steal the show, while quarterback Justin Herbert and the offense delivered another efficient performance, punctuated by explosive plays and a dominant second-half surge.
Herbert and the Offense Fire on All Cylinders
Justin Herbert continued his stellar 2024-2025 campaign with a near-flawless performance, completing 17 of 22 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns. Herbert’s ability to spread the ball around and make big plays at key moments allowed the Chargers to control the game from start to finish. The MVP might not be realistic with guys like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes carrying their teams more than Herbert needs to, but he is definitely elevating to MVP-caliber play.
The highlight of Herbert’s day came midway through the third quarter when he found Quentin Johnston deep for a 50-yard touchdown strike, capping off a day in which Johnston hauled in four catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns. It was a 3rd and 2, but there’s no one Herbert has trusted more this season, even if it means throwing it deep. “People talked a lot after last year, he was 21 and learning the offense. I have no doubt he’ll keep getting better,” Herbert said in the post-game presser. The chemistry between Herbert and Johnston has been growing all season, and Johnston’s big-play ability was on full display in this one.
“Justin has been phenomenal all year, and it feels like we’re clicking at the right time,” said Johnston after the game. “We’re just taking it one week at a time, and when you have a guy like Herbert leading the way, you feel confident you can win every game.”
Johnston wasn’t the only receiver making plays. Ladd McConkey, who has been knocking on the door of a breakout game, finally eclipsed 100 receiving yards for the first time in his career. McConkey finished with six catches for 139 yards, consistently finding soft spots in the Bengals’ secondary and setting a career-high in receiving yards.
“Ladd has been grinding all year, and it’s great to see him have a big game,” Herbert said. “He’s a guy who does everything right, and he deserves it. He’s routinely the first one in and the last one out.”
Tight end Hayden Hurst also found the end zone, grabbing two catches for 49 yards and a touchdown in the red zone. His ability to make plays in key situations has been crucial for the Chargers’ offense, especially with the offensive line and running back room dealing with injuries.
On the ground, the Chargers ran for 112 yards, with J.K. Dobbins leading the way. Dobbins rushed 12 times for 54 yards and added a touchdown, showing his trademark burst and vision. Gus Edwards also chipped in with six carries for 25 yards and a touchdown, continuing to provide valuable depth in the backfield and on the goal line.
Junior Colson’s Defensive Masterclass
Once again, the Chargers’ defense was led by standout rookie linebacker Junior Colson, who is not only making a strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year but is now being mentioned in Defensive Player of the Year conversations. Colson recorded two interceptions for the second straight week, continuing his streak of game-changing performances.
Colson’s first interception came early in the first half, running in front of a curl route across the middle of the field. His second pick sealed the victory late in the fourth quarter as he intercepted Joe Burrow on a deeper pass attempt, giving the Chargers excellent field position to run the clock and end the game.
“We knew we had to make plays against a quarterback like Burrow,” said Colson. “The guys in front of me did a great job getting pressure, and I was just in the right place at the right time. They didn’t get on the stat sheet with any sacks, but these picks are all because of them.”
Tarheeb Still also contributed to the Chargers’ defensive success, forcing a fumble on Bengals running back Zack Moss. Though Cincinnati was able to recover the fumble, Still’s ability to punch the ball loose was another example of how the Chargers’ defense has been opportunistic all season.
“We’re flying around and making things happen on defense,” said head coach Jay Cee. “Junior Colson, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, these young guys are stepping up and making plays every week. It’s been fun to watch.”
That philosophy of letting young playmakers do their thing is giving the whole team life, and the front office has bought in, too. The Chargers signed CB Andrew Booth Jr to their roster off of Dallas’ practice squad, and subsequently released SS Elijah Molden. Booth is younger, faster, and more aggressive than Molden and hopefully has a future in Los Angeles.
Bengals Struggle Against Chargers’ Defense
The Bengals were outmatched from the start, and their offensive struggles only compounded as the game progressed. Joe Burrow, the franchise quarterback for Cincinnati, had a difficult day against the Chargers’ defense, finishing with 187 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two costly interceptions. Burrow was constantly under pressure, despite the fact that the Chargers didn’t record any sacks in the game.
Burrow’s favorite target on the day was tight end Mike Gesicki, who caught six passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns, exploiting the Chargers’ one persistent weakness this season—defending against tight ends. The Bengals also utilized their other tight end, Erick All, who had a productive day, catching five passes for 63 yards, but neither could turn the tide for the Bengals.
Cincinnati’s ground game was largely ineffective, with Zack Moss rushing for 75 yards on 18 carries. The Chargers’ defensive front, anchored by Teair Tart and Poona Ford, held the Bengals to just 88 rushing yards as a team.
Ladd McConkey’s Breakout Game
Ladd McConkey has been on the cusp of a breakout game for weeks, and against the Bengals, he finally delivered. The second-year wideout recorded a career-high 139 receiving yards on six catches, showcasing his speed, route running, and ability to make plays after the catch.
McConkey was instrumental in several key drives, helping to move the chains and stretch the field for Herbert. His ability to find open space and get separation downfield made life easier for the Chargers’ offense, especially in the absence of some key offensive pieces.
“I’ve just been trying to stay ready, stay prepared,” McConkey said. “We’ve got so many talented guys, so when it’s your turn to make plays, you have to take advantage. Today, I was able to do that.”
McConkey is improving steadily as his rookie year continues, after stalling at 99 yards exactly on multiple occasions this year, he was finally able to break triple digits. The slot receiver is perhaps the most dangerous on the field, and young Ladd is looking to be one of the best to do it.
Chargers Continue to Shine Despite Struggles Against Tight Ends
While the Chargers’ defense has been stellar for much of the season, one recurring issue has been their difficulty covering tight ends. Both Mike Gesicki and Erick All had productive days against the Chargers’ secondary, combining for 133 receiving yards and two touchdowns just two weeks after Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku went wild on them.
Despite this, the Chargers’ defense has been able to limit big plays from other positions, including the elite Jamarr Chase. They have been relying on timely takeaways and solid play from their young stars, with the linebackers Junior Colson and Daiyan Henley emerging as defensive leaders able to effectively be a part of the front 7 in run stuff or the back 7 in coverage. The Chargers have shown that they can bend without breaking, even when they struggle against specific matchups.
Looking Ahead: Chargers Face the Ravens in Week 12
The Chargers will stay in Los Angeles for Week 12 as they prepare to face the 4-6 Baltimore Ravens. While the Ravens have been inconsistent this season, the Chargers cannot afford to take them lightly, especially with playoff positioning becoming increasingly important.
With Justin Herbert and the defense firing on all cylinders, the Chargers are in prime position to make a serious run at the postseason. If they continue to play at this level, they could be one of the most dangerous teams in the AFC heading into the final stretch of the season.
As they march forward, the focus will be on maintaining momentum and keeping their eyes on the bigger prize—securing a top seed in the playoffs and making a deep postseason run.
