INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Chargers have long been synonymous with losing in the most heartbreaking fashion.
As Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase danced in the end zone in the fourth quarter Sunday after helping Cincinnati rally from an 18-point first-half deficit, this game appeared to be another chapter in a book laden with Chargers disappointments.
But Sunday night was different. The defense and quarterback Justin Herbert buoyed the Chargers as they avoided another late-game meltdown to beat the Bengals 34-27. The win was the most glaring declaration of how different these Chargers are under coach Jim Harbaugh.