<
        >

          NFL Nation

          Wrap-up: Bengals 20, Chargers 13

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterDec 2, 2012, 09:02 PM ET
            Close
              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
            Follow on X

          My thoughts on the Cincinnati Bengals' 20-13 victory at the San Diego Chargers:

          What it means: The Bengals (7-5) kept pace in the AFC playoff race with their fourth straight win. Cincinnati remains tied with Pittsburgh for the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC. Like the Steelers, the Bengals closed to within two games of the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens (9-3) with four weeks remaining. The Chargers (4-8) lost for the fourth straight time.

          Dalton bounces back: Dalton scored the game-winning touchdown with 4:11 left, which made up for some costly mistakes. He threw two interceptions (his first in four games) and had one returned for a touchdown. But, with the game on the line, Dalton scrambled for six yards and dove in the end zone for the winning score late in the fourth quarter. It's the fifth fourth-quarter comeback of Dalton’s career

          Still running: BenJarvus Green-Ellis continued his tear, running for 118 yards on 25 carries (4.7-yard average). It marked the first time a Bengals running back has gained over 100 yards in three straight games since Corey Dillon in 1999.

          Defense shuts down Chargers: The Bengals defense didn't allow a touchdown and forced the Chargers to kick field goals after driving inside the Cincinnati three-yard line twice. The Bengals ended the final two San Diego series with Carlos Dunlap forcing Philip Rivers to fumble and Reggie Nelson picking off Rivers in the end zone. That Dunlap turnover led to the winning touchdown.

          What's next: The Bengals return home where they play the Dallas Cowboys.