The San Diego Chargers secured their place in the divisional round of the playoffs with a 27-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The AFC North champions, who were unbeaten at home during the regular season, edged ahead in the first half to lead 10-7 at the break.
However, touchdowns from Ladarius Green and Ronnie Brown allowed the visitors to surge ahead when the action got back underway, setting up a meeting with the Denver Broncos next weekend.
Read how all the action unfolded below:
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole’s live commentary of the NFL Wildcard Weekend clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers.
The Bengals reached the post-season with a solid 11-5 record to win the AFC North, including winning all eight of their contests at their Paul Brown Stadium. And when the sides last met there in early December, the Bengals ran out 17-10 winners.
San Diego meanwhile, reached the playoffs in incredible fashion. Requiring a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in last weekend, the Chargers looked to be out of luck when Ryan Succop had a 41 yard field goal attempt in the dying seconds. However, the KC kicker skewed his effort wide of the posts, taking the game into overtime.
A Nick Novak field goal in the extra period secured the final playoff spot for the California-based outfit, meaning the Pittsburgh Steelers crashed out, despite beating the Cleveland Browns earlier in the evening.
Despite the Bengals looking like favourites here, they are without a playoff win in 23 years, since a 41-14 drubbing of the now defunct Houston Oilers. That said, they’re winning home games by an average of 17.6 points so far this term.
In terms of players to watch, Cinci boast an excellent set of receivers. From star man AJ Green - who has 11 touchdowns to his name this season - to the likes of Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert, who have all contributed heavily to the team’s successes up to this point. If quarterback Andy Dalton can find some of these guys - especially Green, who could have a huge game - they have potential to make some big plays.
The Bengals ground-game consists of the impressive rookie Gio Bernard, who has five scores and 695 yards as a first-year back. Benjarvus Green-Ellis is also still regarded as an excellent weapon. Between the two of them and the receiving core, the Chargers will have their work cut-out in stopping the Bengals tonight.
For San Diego, quarterback Philip Rivers is in fine form. Only Denver Broncos star Peyton Manning has more passing yards away from home this season, with Rivers clocking up 2,496 of them to date.
Rivers ranks fifth in the league in terms of total passing yards, while he sits fourth in the touchdown stakes, with 32 scores to his name.
Elsewhere in the Chargers offensive ranks, wide receiver Keenan Allen has become a breakout star in his rookie year. Allen broke the 1000 yard mark during last weekend’s victory over the Chiefs, and scored eight touchdowns during the regular season.
The other go-to guy for San Diego is running back Ryan Mathews, who ranks seventh in rushing yards across the league this year. However, he has scored just six touchdowns in his 16 games, despite his 1,255 yards.
Since linebacker Melvin Ingram has come back into the Chargers front seven over the past four weeks, they’ve looked a much stronger unit, and they’ll have to be on top of their game to stop the Bengals tonight.
INACTIVES For Cincinnati, corner back T. Newman, running back R. Burkhead, tight end K. Brock, defensive tackle O. Nwagbuo, wide receivers R. Whalen and D. Sanzenbacher and tackle T. Hawkinson are all missing tonight.
INACTIVES For the Chargers meanwhile, B. Sorensen, Lavelle Hawkins, Brandon Taylor, Marcus Cromartie, Steve Schilling, Kenny Wiggins and Sean Lissemore are all sitting out.
Just five minutes until kick-off in Ohio.
Ok, it's going to be the home side to kick off, with Danny Woodhead of the Chargers ready to receive the ball and get this contest underway.
The ball bounces over Woodhead and into the end zone, so Philip Rivers will take to the field from his 20.
Ryan Mathews takes his first carry for seven yards on first down, before Woodhead catches a short pass right to convert. Nice start for San Diego.
On 1st&10, Mathews travels two yards.
SACK Woodhead carried short on second down, before Rivers takes his first hit of the day on third down from Chris Crocker. The Bengals have not allowed their opponents an opening drive TD at their stadium for two years, and that record continues as SD punt on fourth down.
Nice start for the Bengals with the ball, with Benjarvus Green-Ellis carrying for eight yards before crossing the line for a 1st&10 on the next play.
Andy Dalton's first pass of the day is overthrown targeting AJ Green, but on second down he finds him just short of the chains with a nice play action pass.
Green-Ellis converts the third and short.
Dalton is almost picked off aiming right, but the ball is batted down. On 2nd&10, Bernard lost three yards carrying his first ball of the day.
On 3rd&13 Dalton finds Marvin Jones, gaining nine yards. It's not enough, so Cinci punt away through Zoltan Mesko. Keenan Allen makes a fair catch.
Rivers is back on the field and he finds Ronnie Brown on 2nd&2 and the back converts.
Mathews carries on first down for two yards, before Rivers throws an excellent pass to Ladarius Green for a nice gainer up to midfield.
Mathews carries on first down again for a gain of six. Green's catch from Rivers was a 22 yard reception, moving the Chargers into Bengals territory just passed the halfway mark.
Hardwick takes a hit so San Diego take the first time out of the game so he can receive some treatment.
When play resumes, Brown picks up 11 yards for another first down inside the Bengals 30.
This time Woodhead is the man to rush the ball and almost makes a first down again. He's just shy. Surely they'll run again on 3rd&inches?
Mathews is the man this time and he gets another first down. The Chargers are in the red zone.
Rivers is so close to be sacked again but wriggles out of the pocket before a short jump pass to Woodhead who gets inside the 10.
Busted coverage has Rivers with ball in hand, jinking for three yards.
TOUCHDOWN And Woodhead reaches the end zone. A six minute drive - which included some excellent running - concludes when the running back flies in for the score with ease. Nick Novak adds the extra point.
Rivers, Mathews, Brown and Woodhead all contributed heavily to the Chargers opening the scoring there. San Diego are really trying to place emphasis on the run early on, and so far they're doing it well.
Novak's kick off is returned by Tate to the Bengals 30 yard line and Dalton will come back onto the field for the Bengals second series of the match.
Green-Ellis travels for two yards before Dalton finds Bernard on second down. Three Chargers take him down, but not before he gets a first down to conclude the quarter.
END OF FIRST QUARTER San Diego Chargers 7-0 Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are 62-0 in the second quarter in their last four games. However, this one doesn't start excellently, as Dalton falls on the ball.
Better from Dalton, who rushes for eight to give the Bengals a 3rd&1.
With Bernard open, Dalton misses him wide right and the Bengals will have to punt again.
The Chargers call a time out, perhaps a little worried by the punt receiving formation that they had lined up with.
Keenan Allen makes a fair catch on the San Diego 11, but the first flag of the game is out and it's against the visitors. They'll start with the ball, but on their own five yard line.
San Diego have the ball and travel for five on first down. On 2nd&5, Mathews tumbles short of the marker. 3rd&2 coming up.
Rivers goes through the air but overthrows to Allen, who was open and over the first down line. They'll punt from their own end zone.
Tate takes the ball as a fair catch at the Bengals 40 so Dalton will return to try again. Meanwhile Hardwick, who was injured earlier, is heading back into the Chargers locker room.
Head down, ball secure, Bernard travels for seven on first down.
On 2nd&3, Bernard runs into traffic to leave the Bengals short. On the next play, Green-Ellis gets a first down and then some, reaching the Chargers 44 yard line.
Jermaine Gresham makes his first catch of the game and is able to convert another first down.
Bernard runs for four more on first down, before an excellent screen and fake left by Dalton reaches Bernard who converts another 1st&10.
Bernard spins and carries for nine yards. It's 2nd&1 from the 11.
Incredible from Bernard again, who carries almost the entire Chargers team on his back before he's felled at the four.
On 1st&goal, Green-Ellis runs into trouble.
TOUCHDOWN And Cincinnati draw level, but boy was it close. Dalton is half a second away from being sacked, but he fires the ball wide to the tight-end Gresham, who hauls it in and goes backwards into the end zone. The PAT is good.
Watching that touchdown back, Melvin Ingram is inches from taking Dalton down there. Instead, the quarterback was able to make the play, which is the first playoff touchdown pass of his career.
Mathews carries for five yards but Bengals defensive lineman Maualuga is shaken up and the action stops.
On 2nd&6, Rivers dumps off to Mathews, but Crocker trips him up a couple yards short of the chains.
Rivers looks in trouble on third down but he wriggles free of any sack attempts. He dives head first, but is inches short of a first down and they decide to punt.
Tate receives the kick and takes it out to the Cinci 32. Dalton will return to the field, full of adrenaline from his first touchdown pass in the post-season.
Excellent completion to Marvin Jones by Dalton, and Cincinnati look to be finding their stride a little now. First down.
As the team's lined up for the next play, the Chargers decided to throw a challenge flag against Jones but to most people watching, it looked as if the receiver had it secure and with his knee down.
Jones is adjudged to have had control and Cincinnati will continue. San Diego are down to just one time out.
A flag against Gresham is called for holding, so the Bengals will repeat first down, but go back a further 10 yards.
On 1st&20, Bernard goes for just two yards before Eric Weddle makes sure he hits the deck.
Biggest play of the game from the Bengals on 2nd&18! A 49 yard launch from Dalton is taken in by Jones, allowing the crowd to go wild. He drops at the Chargers 16 and Cincinnati will look to capitalise as we tick to the two minute warning.
FUMBLE Oh wow. Just when it looked as if Cincinnati would score again before half time, Bernard is stripped by Butler, having caught a pass from Dalton and making a break for the end zone. The Chargers have the ball deep in their own territory.
After being reviewed, the officials say that Bernard did have full control of the ball and therefore was able to fumble it, so San Diego's efforts weren't in vein.
Mathews carries on 1st&10 but a flag is called for holding and they'll have to repeat the down.
Mathews tries again but he goes for just a single yard this time and the Bengals decide to stop the clock for the first time.
Woodhead runs the ball this time, with Burfict taking him down. The Bengals wisely opt to stop the time again.
On 3rd&11, Woodhead is smothered with the Chargers deciding to force their opponents into using their final timeout. They'll punt away, but Cinci cannot stop the clock again.
A huge punt from the Chargers hangs in the air for a long time, and Tate has to go backwards to stop being tackled straight away. He gets to the Cincinnati 32.
Dalton finds Green for a first down, before finding Sanu for another.
An incomplete pass to Bernard around midfield has Cinci on 2nd&10. Gresham hauls in a pass but didn't go forward as he went out so the clock doesn't stop.
The Bengals spike the ball to give themselves two seconds to decide their next move. They're on the San Diego 28.
Gresham's catch is now being reviewed, as the officials aren't sure if he has his feet in bounds when he makes the play. If they call it incomplete, the Bengals will go back and the clock will resume on 0.13
The officials call it a catch and the Bengals field goal unit come onto the field.
FIELD GOAL IS GOOD Nugent's 46 yard attempt is good and Cincinnati lead for the first time.
HALF TIME San Diego Chargers 7-10 Cincinnati Bengals
This is certainly an intriguing contest. Neither side has really been at their best - although the Chargers running game early on was superb - but it's nicely poised for an enthralling second half.
For the hosts, Green, Jones and Gresham have all shown their abilities during that half, but Gio Bernard will be disappointed with his fumble when he was so close to the end zone. He'll be out to prove a point after the break.
The Chargers meanwhile will be happy at how close they've been getting to Dalton in general, and they'll believe they can certainly sack him again when play resumes. With the ball, they could have real success in this game if they can rediscover the rushing form they showed in the first quarter.
Watching the half time highlights, Philip Rivers really has been impressive in the pocket for the Chargers today. If they can put another solid scoring drive together early on in the third quarter, they could really cause a scare for the Bengals.
We're back underway, and the Chargers kick the half off. Tate gets to his team's 33 and Dalton will be back on the field.
On 1st&10, Green-Ellis goes for 12 yards to give the hosts a nice start to the second period.
Green-Ellis scrambles again, and on 2nd&7 Dalton takes a dive short of the first down marker.
Dalton takes too long on 3rd&4 and runs out of time before going down. Technically, it goes down as a sack by Ingram even though he starts to drop to protect himself. A flag is thrown but there is no holding, so Cinci give the ball up.
The ball flies into the end zone for a touchback and Rivers will start on his own 20 once again.
Rivers looks down field but his options are covered. Instead, he dumps off to Mathews for a gain of nine, before the running back flies over the first down marker.
Antonio Gates makes his first play of the game for a five yard gain on first down. On 2nd&5, Woodhead rushes a yard shy.
On 3rd&1, Rivers finds Allen coming across from the left. He goes down, claiming he isn't touched and sprints for the end zone but will obviously be called back. Meanwhile, Burfict is down injured on defense.
After a two yard gain on first down, Rivers hands off to Woodhead once more on 2nd&8 for a three yard carry. They're really trying to produce with this ground game.
Ladarius Green makes his second catch of the day to convert another Chargers first down.
Superb from Rivers! The quarterback buys some time and looks long for Eddie Royal. The receiver makes the 33 yard catch and is taken down just outside the end zone.
TOUCHDOWN SAN DIEGO Green makes an amazing catch to give the Chargers the lead again. A high pass from Rivers is no problem for Green, who springs into the air to haul it in, dragging his feet before he exits the end zone. His celebration is fairly casual, considering the play.
Tate takes the kick off and travels to around his own 30. Can Dalton give the home side a quick response?
SACK The quarterback gets off to an iffy start. With options covered, Dalton starts to panic a touch and ends up being sacked for four yards.
FUMBLE Oh this is a nightmare for Dalton. On 3rd&14, Dalton runs it again. This time, he dives short of the first down marker but inexplicably lets the ball pop out. It's scooped up by a couple of San Diego defenders who can't believe their luck, and this is very favourable positioning for the away side to resume.
That's poor from Dalton. The play is reviewed but there is no real complaint, it's a clear fumble recovery, much to the crowd's distress.
Nice end around to Royal who goes for nine on first down before being hustled out of play. For the Bengals, Michael Johnson is being treated for injury.
It's 2nd&1 and Woodhead eases his way through the markers for a five yard gain.
On first down Woodhead gains four more yards rushing, before play action on 2nd&6 has Rivers throwing one out of play when looking for Royal once more.
This time it's a perfect pass from Rivers to Allen near the Bengals 10. He goes out of bounds and the Chargers are in a great place now.
Woodhead takes it to the Cinci eight, and the Chargers have a 2nd&5.
The Chargers mess it up on 3rd&4 and with nobody open, Rivers goes backwards with a throwaway. Novak is on for a field goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL IS GOOD Novak converts a short attempt to give the Chargers a seven point lead.
Tate takes one from the end zone and gets to the 23. Dalton will need to step it up now.
After a short rush, Dalton launches out of play on 2nd&8 and the Bengals are in trouble already. The pressure from the Chargers defense is excellent, and the quarterback is not responding.
INTERCEPTION It goes from bad to worse for Dalton. He's hurried once more by Reyes and he throws it straight to Wright who returns it for a 1st&goal for the Chargers.
On 1st&goal, a flag is thrown against James Harrison of the Bengals. It'll be first down again, from the three.
A delay of game penalty is enforced against the offense, so San Diego are moved back five yards.
Rivers drops back on first down but throws far too high and wide to find anyone open.
Woodhead rushes to the one, and San Diego will surely begin the final quarter by scoring another touchdown.
END OF THIRD QUARTER San Diego Chargers 17-10 Cincinnati Bengals
I tempted fate. Maualuga clips Brown for a loss of four on third down, so Novak will return to the field.
FIELD GOAL IS GOOD Novak puts another through the uprights and we have ourselves a two-score game.
Tate gathers another Chargers kick off but despite getting to about the 20, a flag is thrown against the Bengals and they'll be penalised 10 yards.
The Bengals go for a loss on first down, but on 2nd&11 Dalton makes a play to Green, wide right. Green drops out of bounds after making the catch.
Bernard goes for no gain on the next first down, but he makes a catch on second down and gets a first down with yards after.
Bernard runs the ball this time for six on 1st&10, and Dalton follows this with another first down pass, this time to Jones.
Excellent shovel pass from Dalton has Bernard for 17 and the Bengals are all of a sudden down on the Chargers 25.
INTERCEPTION He's done it again! Just when Dalton looked like he was getting his eye back in, Ingram picks him off when he targets Tyler Eifert. He's having a meltdown here is Dalton, is playoff football simply too big for him? It looks that way at the moment.
A penalty following that last pick was enforced against Cincinnati, so San Diego have the ball 15 yards further forward. On first down, Woodhead runs for six before Brown gets within inches on the next play.
On third down, the Chargers don't convert, but they're opting to go for it on fourth and inches.
A flag is thrown for delay of game against the offense. With a five yard penalty enforced, the Chargers decide to punt. Quite a poor piece of play all around from San Diego there.
This next drive from Cincinnati is huge. Can Dalton keep his nerve and lead his team up the field? Big games require big players and this is his chance to prove that what has gone before tonight was merely a blip.
On 1st&10, Dalton dives forward for a gain of just one. On second down, he finds Hawkins open and he makes a first down.
Jones gets his feet inbounds to gain eight yards on the next first down, but the clock is ticking.
Bernard scamps for the next first down and drops down at the sideline.
Dalton goes long and so nearly finds AJ Green. That was the play the quarterback needed to regain his confidence.
The Bengals fail on second down, and on 3rd&7 Dalton finds nobody with the pass. However, a flag is thrown against the Chargers and the hosts get another chance with a five yard penalty and an automatic first down.
Dalton hesitates on first down and just avoids being sacked once more.
Gresham gets seven or eight on second down on the Chargers 42.
On 3rd&3 Dalton looks for Green but isn't found and the Bengals will have to go for this.
And it's incomplete! Jones was open and running long towards the end zone but Dalton overthrows the ball badly and it's a turnover on downs. You feel as if Cincinnati had to score on that series to be in with a chance of winning this game.
Brown carries for maybe a yard for the Chargers on 1st&10. Cincinnati call a time out.
Brown's next rush is for four yards and the home side call their second stoppage.
On 3rd&7, Brown is stopped well short of the first down marker and the Bengals use up their final time out.
Tate calls a fair catch from the Chargers punt and Dalton will get another go.
Dalton finds Jones with a decent gain from the first down, before Gresham gets another on the next play.
Jones again gets a first down. And just as importantly, he gets out to stop the clock.
SACK Dalton is stopped for a loss of two on the next first down. On 2nd&12, he overthrows looking for Jones.
Dalton looks for Bernard but he fails to haul it in and now they're faced with a 4th&13.
And it's another turnover on downs. Cincinnati have had chances here, but another bad call has them in trouble. With no timeouts left, this one looks over.
TOUCHDOWN SAN DIEGO Wow! What a play from Ronnie Brown. With the ball in Charger territory, the away side rush again to kill the clock. Instead of consuming time, Brown gets himself free and runs for a 58 yard score. If the game wasn't dead before that, it definitely is now.
The Bengals have the ball back and have got to the 48 line from the kick.
We've reached the two minute warning and Dalton found Bernard with a short pass on the play before it. They'll resume near midfield.
On 2nd&1, Dalton goes for Green in the end zone out of sheer desperation. The defense ushers the ball out and we're back to the 44 yard line.
Somehow, Dalton goes over 300 yards with his next play. On the 1st&10 which follows, he goes for Green again and is lucky not to be picked.
Gresham takes a pass in for eight yards to get a third down. On the next play, Dalton misses his receiver Jones, who slips.
Cinci finally convert on fourth down, but it's too little too late now. They spike the ball, so will have a 2nd&10.
Jones gets open, and wriggles through with the ball, past the first down markers. Can they score a garbage time touchdown?
Following another spike to stop the clock, Dalton throws one away when targeting Gresham.
On 3rd&goal, Bernard hauls one in, but is short of the end zone.
FULL TIME San Diego Chargers 27-10 Cincinnati Bengals
Well, that will certainly be a surprise to many. After a relatively easy passage through the AFC North and an unbeaten home record, the Bengals were the hot favourites here to reach the Divisional Round next weekend. However, San Diego came without fear and had other ideas, and thoroughly deserved their win tonight.
Bar the second quarter - where the Bengals scored all 10 of their points - the Chargers bossed the contest, mainly on defense. Their pressure to Andy Dalton was something which he really struggled with, and the decisions that he made when throwing the football were extremely questionable at times.
And so Philip Rivers and the Chargers march on, and will relish the game with the Denver Broncos next week. If they show this kind of fearlessness and determination, they really could give Peyton Manning's men a fright in seven days time.
Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed tonight's live text coverage here on Sports Mole, and that'll you will join us shortly for our coverage of the NFC clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers.
Written by
Joe McPhee
Joe McPhee
