Bengals vs. Chargers 2013 results: Cincinnati holds off San Diego in 17-10 win

The Bengals stuck to the running game despite a late fumble and it paid off.

by Matthew Fairburn

Dec 2, 2013, 12:24 AM UTC

Stan Liu-USA TODAY Sports

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Bengals vs. Chargers 2013, Week 13: Cincinnati gets critical road win in San Diego

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For just the fourth time in his career, Cincinnati Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis lost a fumble and it almost cost the Cincinnati Bengals in their 17-10 win over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

With the Bengals up by 10 midway through the fourth quarter, they were just trying to ice the clock. After recovering a fumble from San Diego Chargers rookie wide receiver Keenan Allen, the Bengals needed only a few plays to hand the ball back to the Chargers when Green-Ellis let the ball slip out of his grasp.

The Chargers drove down the field to get a field goal and pull the game within seven points, but that was as close as they would get. The Bengals turned to Green-Ellis on the final drive, and he rewarded their faith. He helped churn out first downs on the final drive and finished the game with 92 rushing yards and a touchdown.

The game lacked fireworks. Neither team scored in the first quarter before exchanging quick touchdowns to start the second frame. The decisive score came in the third quarter when Andy Dalton threw a 21-yard touchdown to A.J. Green to give Cincy a lead that it wouldn't relinquish.

In the fourth quarter, the Bengals simply ran the ball right at the Chargers, improving to 8-4 and taking a two-game lead in the AFC North.

Playoff implications

The Bengals stayed in first place of the AFC North, improving to 8-4. They still hold the No. 4 seed in the AFC. The Chargers, meanwhile, fell to 5-7 and are a game out of the final Wild Card spot.

Fantasy studs and duds

BenJarvus Green-Ellis and A.J. Green both scored touchdowns for the Bengals and could be considered fantasy studs. Meanwhile, both quarterbacks were unspectacular.