Chargers shake Bengals late, note the difference under Jim Harbaugh

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers have long been synonymous with losing in the most heartbreaking fashion.

As Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase After helping Cincinnati rally from an 18-point first-half deficit and then dancing in the end zone in the fourth quarter on Sunday, this game looked like another chapter in a book of Chargers disappointments.

But Sunday night was different. Defense and point guard Justin Herbert He revived the Chargers as they avoided another late-game meltdown to beat the Bengals 34-27. The win was the most visible declaration of how different the Chargers are under coach Jim Harbaugh.

Defender “This team came with bigger goals” Daiyan Henley Here’s what he said about the different aspects of Harbaugh’s Chargers. “Maybe it wasn’t there last year for some reason, but right now we have a purpose, we have belief.”

outside linebacker Joey Bosa It is the longest-running Charger prepared by the team in San Diego in 2016.

In his meeting with the defense on Saturday, he talked about a cynical feeling that Chargers teams will always lose in big games somehow and get the better of them. But Bosa told the group he felt different this year and had a special feeling for the Chargers team that he had never felt in his career.

“I think Coach Harbaugh and the whole staff coming together has changed the culture here,” Bosa said.

He continued: “I feel like we have a chance. … I feel a little different right now. I feel like if we continue to do what we need to and prepare the way we do, don’t get complacent and just keep going.” If we’re improving every week, I think we have a chance to do something special.”

Heading into Sunday’s game, the Chargers boasted the league’s best scoring defense, allowing (13.1) points per game. But they faced the second-easiest schedule in the league, according to ESPN analytics, and that raised questions about how good the defense actually was.

This will be the team’s first test as Cincinnati ranks sixth in the league in points per game (26.1) on Sunday. Henley said Harbaugh spoke to the team on Friday about the many critics of the defense to motivate them for Sunday.

In the end, the Chargers’ defense fluctuated from strong to terrible. The 27 points allowed was a season high, and the 21 points they conceded in the second half were the most they allowed since Week 15 of last season, when they lost by 21 points to the Las Vegas Raiders. (Coach Brandon Staley and GM Tom Telesco were fired after this loss.)

But the defense made key stops late, including a hit on the Bengals’ quarterback. Joe Burrow He was forced into an incomplete pass by Henley.

“The defense was at its best when our best was needed,” Harbaugh said.

Herbert took the field at the Chargers’ 16-yard line with 45 seconds left and quickly turned Los Angeles’ potential heartbreak into a storybook ending.

He connected with wide receiver Ladd McConkey A 28-yard pass followed by another 27-yard catch to put the Chargers in position for a field goal to end the game. But on their next drive, he handed the ball off to the running back. J. K. DobbinsHe broke free for a 29-yard field goal to effectively end the game.

It was Herbert’s 15th game-winning drive since entering the league in 2020, the second-most in the NFL during that span. He finished with 297 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and five carries for 65 rushing yards.

“Start the MVP talks,” Dobbins said.