J.K. Dobbins could have played it safe. The Chargers could have settled for a game-winning field goal. During a timeout with 26 seconds remaining in a tie game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Chargers running back took a different tact.
Center Bradley Bozeman told him: “Go score.”
So Dobbins did, breaking the Chargers out of an offensive malaise with a 29-yard, game-winning touchdown run that gave the Chargers a 34-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
The deficiencies that led to a blown 21-point lead suddenly melted away as Dobbins pounded his chest and sprinted around the back of the end zone toward the Chargers sideline. The euphoria remained when coach Jim Harbaugh began his press conference.
“Great win!” Harbaugh yelled, raising both fists and throwing his head back.
J.K. Dobbins (27) is chased by Chargers ready to celebrate after the running back’s deciding 29-yard touchdown run against the Bengals.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The Chargers (7-3) won their fourth consecutive game, and Dobbins’ aggressive mentality helped the team avoid a disaster of its own doing. The Chargers allowed three consecutive touchdown drives in the third and fourth quarters while mustering just 74 yards on their first seven drives of the half.
Even with their offense stuck in the SoFi Stadium turf, the Chargers found the swagger they so often lacked in previous seasons — finishing a game that previous iterations of the team likely would have lost.
“This is a different team,” said linebacker Daiyan Henley, who finished with 11 tackles and punctuated the win with a roundoff, back tuck on the field after the final whistle. “This is not what the Chargers have been. This is not what the fans are used to. When we should win, we’re trying to hold it down and make sure that we do that.”
The Bengals (4-7) have lost six games by seven points or fewer while winning just one one-possession game.
The Chargers, who have long tortured their fans with agonizing losses, finally turned the tide after going 0-7 in games decided by three points or fewer last season and losing by two points in their last primetime opportunity against Arizona in Week 7.
Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) celebrates after sacking Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9).
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
To begin a critical five-game stretch that should reveal whether the Chargers are a legitimate playoff threat, the team summoned the lessons of offseason drills intended to strengthen them for these fourth-quarter moments.
“I’m a big believer in hard work,” Dobbins said. “That’s where confidence comes from. We got a bunch of guys that are play-makers on this team. Our brotherhood is strong, so we knew we were gonna finish.”
Dobbins finished with 56 yards rushing and two touchdowns in 11 carries, and quarterback Justin Herbert carried the offense with 297 yards passing and two touchdowns while completing 17 of 36 passes.
He led the Chargers with 65 yards rushing, but lost a fumble while scrambling on the opening play of the fourth quarter that led to the Bengals’ game-tying touchdown drive.
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow — who threw third- and fourth-down touchdowns to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, respectively, to spark the comeback — found Chase for a 17-yard scoring pass with 12:21 remaining to tie the score, 27-27.
The Chargers picked up just 18 yards on their next three drives. Given second and third chances to take control of the game when Bengals kicker Evan McPherson missed 48- and 51-yard field goals, the Chargers mustered three-and-outs each time.
The fourth time was finally the charm.
Herbert found rookie receiver Ladd McConkey for completions of 28 and 27 yards to move the Chargers to Cincinnati’s 29-yard line.
The Chargers called a time out. Firmly in field-goal position for kicker Cameron Dicker, the Chargers called a run play. Dobbins broke free through the left side and then ran through a tackle attempt.
“Go down,” NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth advised on the telecast.
Dobbins somersaulted into the end zone instead.