The Chargers’ first drive in Sunday night’s game against the Bengals ended in a three-and-out.

Los Angeles was apparently upset about that outcome, as the club didn’t kick for the rest of the first 30 minutes and holds a 24-6 lead at halftime.

Quarterback Justin Herbert played some of his best football, starting the game 6-for-6 for 123 yards with two touchdowns. He didn’t throw an incompletion until there was 6:04 left in the second quarter, finishing the first half 10 of 14 for 183 yards with two touchdowns.

When necessary, Herbert goes out. He leads the team with 58 yards rushing, an average of 14.5 yards per attempt with a long of 30 yards.

Will Dissly caught Herbert’s first touchdown pass and went up the seam for a 29-yard score. Quentin Johnston caught the second on a 26-yard strike in the second quarter.

Running back JK Dobbins had the third touchdown and scored on fourth down at the 1-yard line.

The Chargers added a 19-yard field goal to end the half. But as NBC rules analyst Terry McAuley noted, that game probably should never have been played. Herbert fired a pass to no one from the pocket on second-and-goal from the 5-yard line, which should have been flagged for intentional grounding. The 10-second run-off resulting from the penalty would have ended the half.

But on the other hand, the Chargers defense did a good job of keeping the Bengals offense in check. Evan McPherson made two field goals from 26 and 27 yards. But as the second quarter progressed, Cincinnati’s offense became more lethargic. The unit ended the quarter with a pair of three-and-outs.

Joe Burrow is 12 of 17 passing for 111 yards. Chase Brown has 29 yards on nine carries. Ja’Marr Chase has four catches for 49 yards.

The Chargers get the second half kickoff with a chance to double.