The Chargers got off to a hot start, scoring three straight touchdowns in the first half and getting a field goal at the end of the half to go into the break, 24-6. They smothered Joe Burrow and tore apart a searching Bengals D. It was a total defeat.

Then the Bengals made their move, scoring 21 straight points to wipe out the lead with more than 12 minutes remaining. After both teams shook their feet — the Bengals missing opportunities, the Chargers bumbling on offense — LA made the move too late to reverse the deficit.

“Just because we lost momentum didn’t mean they had it,” Harbaugh said. “We’re going to get him back. The boys didn’t flinch, they didn’t nod, they didn’t even stumble. They just kept going.”

Further back, Herbert hit two accurate passes to Ladd McConkey, who led the late victory. The QB wrote some jaw-dropping plays early, but had his own personal issues in the second half before ripping up the big throws. He may not have the passing volume LA needed in previous seasons, but his importance to the outcome of Chargers games remains vital.

“Start the MVP conversations. I love it. He’s a baller,” Dobbins said of his QB.

The LA defense allowed more than 20 points for the first time all season, but made stops outside the red zone that forced Cincy to settle for long field goal attempts and forced a late kick that led to the winning drive.

“I’ve been to this movie a few times. I know what it looks like,” Harbaugh said. “There is no other defense we would rather have than our defense.”

The fourth straight win pushed the Chargers to 7-3 and into fifth place in the AFC. Finally able to overcome their own mistakes and pull out a win after years of coming up short, Harbaugh’s team appears ready for a January dance.