The Chargers and Bengals were tied at 27 apiece with 45 seconds left in the game, and Los Angeles needed someone to boost the offense, which had stalled throughout the second half.

Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey took advantage of the opportunity.

McConkey hauled in two passes for 55 yards, setting up JK Dobbins’ touchdown run.

“When we needed an answer, Ladd made some big catches and we moved the ball,” quarterback Justin Herbert said.

The first reception went for 28 yards. McConkey was covered by Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton, and the former Georgia product climbed the ladder and made a great catch in the right sideline.

Two plays later, McConkey ran an excellent corner route to get himself open near the left sideline, and Herbert delivered a strike for a gain of 27 yards. Dobbins then sealed the deal.

McConkey finished the game with six catches for 123 yards, which is a career-high and the most by a Chargers rookie since Keenan Allen.

The bond between McConkey and Herbert has continued to strengthen week after week, and the numbers speak for themselves.

McConkey has a team-high 43 receptions and 615 yards, both of which rank second among all rookie wide receivers.

“He’s a guy,” running back JK Dobbins said. “He’s a ball player. He’s a playmaker.”

People wrote off the Chargers wide receiver room due to the lack of top talent, but McConkey has provided a much-needed boost and evolved into a role you can count on in crunch time.