The Chargers got big plays out of their offensive and defensive lines, matching Ladd McConkey’s career day. Justin Herbert also showed up in the first half to help build a 21-point lead over the Bengals on Sunday night.

Defensively, without Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu stepped up with 1.5 sacks and some huge plays down the stretch to secure a game that many thought was a must-win entering the tougher half of the 2024 schedule.

Without further ado, let’s go ahead and dive in to see how Pro Football Focus graded the Chargers in their last win.

Offence

Best (min. 20 snaps played)

WR Ladd McConkey – 85.7
OT Joe Alt – 84.1
OG Trey Pipkins – 81.3
OT Rashawn Slater – 79.1
OG Zion Johnson – 77.4

Player of the Game deservedly earned the highest grade of the game for any Chargers player. McConkey led the team with six receptions and posted a career-high 123 receiving yards to help the Bengals in primetime.

Well, would you look at this! Four of the Chargers’ five offensive linemen were among the top five players against Cincy. Rookie Joe Alt led the way, allowing one pressure on over 40+ pass-pro snaps. He posted a run-block and pass-block grade of 84.4 and 80.8, respectively.

Pipkins led the ground game with a run blocking grade of 86.6, while Johnson led all linemen with an 82.2 in pass blocking.

Worst

FB Scott Matlock – 53.9
W. Quentin Johnston – 61.3
WR Joshua Palmer – 64.0
TE Tucker Fisk – 73.3
RB JK Dobbins – 74.8

Just go ahead and treat this part of the numbers as a wash. The Chargers were so strong on offense that a number of highly qualified players ended up here.

Let’s move on!

Defense

Best

S Alohi Gilman – 83.3
LB Denzel Perryman – 75.1
CB Cam Hart – 74.3
S Derwin James – 72.8
DT Poona Ford-69.2

Gilman was solid across the board and almost had an interception if not for his ill-timed passer penalty. Perryman looked like a rocket at times as he closed on ball carriers around the line of scrimmage. His tackle rating of 83.5 was the best on the team.

Hart was rough in run defense (40.2) and tacking (49.4), but his coverage grade of 81.0 was the team’s best among qualifying teams.

James finished with all his grades at or above 69.0. He had a great day, punctuated by the Bengals’ final Hail Mary fumble.

Worst

CB Ja’Sir Taylor – 38.9
DT Otito Ogbonia – 47.5
S Elia Molden – 50.2
EDGE Bud Dupree – 54.2
LB Daiyan Henley – 55.5

Unfortunately, Taylor was on the end of some bad plays that helped the Bengals come back from their 21-point deficit. These are two tough games for him and as a result the pair of rookies this season could only sail past him on the depth chart.

Tito was the author of one of the biggest blunders of the night when he flattened Joe Burrow on a play that ended in an interception for the Chargers. He was then called out for roughing up the passerby as he landed his full weight on Burrow.

Henley played well but was unfortunately let down on the play where his attempt to break up the pass led to him helping Tee Higgins catch the ball near the end zone.