Bengals offense starting to click entering Week 5 showdown against rival Ravens

[Arkansas Bengal]

Updated Sep. 29, 2024 8:07 p.m. ET

 

 

Associated Press

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Despite their 1-3 start, the Cincinnati Bengals are starting to play better with a big challenge set for next week.

 

Joe Burrow is making smart decisions, displaying poise in the pocket along with accuracy. Ja'Marr Chase again resembles one of the league's top playmakers after an offseason of contract dispute, and running mate Tee Higgins is rounding into form after missing the first two weeks with an injury.

 

And then there's the Bengals running game.

 

Second-year back Chase Brown picked up 80 yards on 15 carries and ran for the first two touchdowns of his career in Sunday's 34-24 win over Carolina, while Zack Moss added 51 yards on the ground and caught four passes for 27 yards and a score helping to soften the blow from the trade of Joe Mixon.

 

After being held to 11 yards rushing in the first half, the Bengals had 130 yards on the ground after intermission to take control of the game.

“We’re explosive,” Brown said. “I mean, we can put up 30 points against anybody. That’s our mindset.”

 

Burrow finished 22 of 31 for 232 yards with two touchdowns and one interception coming on a miscommunication with Chase. But over the past two games Burrow and Chase have mostly been on the same page, hooking up 13 times for 203 yards and three touchdowns.

 

It's probably no coincidence that Chase's increased production have coincided with the return of Higgins, who takes added pressure off the team's No. 1 wideout.

 

“We’ve been moving around, making plays,” Chase said. “The team looked pretty good starting out the first half, which is what we needed, someone to keep the momentum up for us, and all around everybody is making plays.”

 

The Bengals have now increased their point total with each game and Burrow said the offense is now “playing at a high level.”

 

The amount of playmakers has coach Zac Taylor excited about the future, especially with Burrow at quarterback.

 

“There are certainly plays where we are trying to target key guys,” Taylor said. “If they take them away defensively with whatever they're doing, Joe progresses and finds the next option. There are so people that can make plays for us. About everyone in that game made critical plays for us in big moments. And the line is playing its tails off, giving great protection so Joe feels like he can call anything."

 

Of course, few things make an NFL coach happier than the ability to run the ball late in a game and burn the clock.

The Bengals did just that on Sunday.

 

Leading by seven with 4:23 left, the Bengals ran the ball nine straight times to move into field-goal range for Evan McPherson, who made it a two-possession game with a 46-yarder with 1:17 remaining.

 

“No doubt it was important,” Brown said. “They were stacking up the box, they were gapped out. We know what’s coming. We play for those moments in those four-minute situations and we know we just want to put points up at the end. The thing is, you keep the rock on our side and kick the field goal to really push on the dagger at the end.”

 

The win gives the Bengals some needed momentum heading into an important home game Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

 

“We knew we needed this one this week, especially going into a divisional game next week,” Brown said. “We just want to carry that momentum and that energy into next week and the rest of the season and just continue this style of football.”

 

https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nfl/bengals-offense-starting-to-click-entering-week-5-showdown-against-rival-ravens

[Shebengal]

This is how we beat the Ravens next week. We take a page out of everyone’s book on beating us. Run the ball and keep their offense off of the field and keep them from running against us. A tall task for our defense, I know, but it seems like we’ve found a running game. 

[claptonrocks]

1 hour ago, Shebengal said:

This is how we beat the Ravens next week. We take a page out of everyone’s book on beating us. Run the ball and keep their offense off of the field and keep them from running against us. A tall task for our defense, I know, but it seems like we’ve found a running game. 

Positive look at it.

Agree.

[Whodeyman]

9 hours ago, Shebengal said:

This is how we beat the Ravens next week. We take a page out of everyone’s book on beating us. Run the ball and keep their offense off of the field and keep them from running against us. A tall task for our defense, I know, but it seems like we’ve found a running game. 

I don't  think Bengals defense will be able to stop ravens rushing attack.   I like controlling game by running football for Bengals but when you got a passing attack like Bengals going to be hard to keep it run heavy

[saphead]

That blowout win over the Bills last night was the best thing that could happen. The rats will come in here for a 1:00 game overconfident and flat. 
I think this sets up well. Now, our D-line on the other hand, that could be a small problem. 

[|High School Harry|]

2 hours ago, Whodeyman said:

I don't  think Bengals defense will be able to stop ravens rushing attack.   I like controlling game by running football for Bengals but when you got a passing attack like Bengals going to be hard to keep it run heavy

You knew stopping the run would be a problem when they picked up JAG (Just Another Guy) off the street and plugged him in there.

 

2 hours ago, saphead said:

That blowout win over the Bills last night was the best thing that could happen. The rats will come in here for a 1:00 game overconfident and flat. 
I think this sets up well. Now, our D-line on the other hand, that could be a small problem. 

Myles Murphy is eligible to come off IR and I've not heard much about him.  And I was not impressed his rookie year.

And not sure if the Hamstring Twins can make the dance.

Whatever... we'll see.

In Joe and Ja'Marr (Pay the Man) I Trust.

[Jamie_B]

5 minutes ago, High School Harry said:

You knew stopping the run would be a problem when they picked up JAG (Just Another Guy) off the street and plugged him in there.

 

Myles Murphy is eligible to come off IR and I've not heard much about him.  And I was not impressed his rookie year.

And not sure if the Hamstring Twins can make the dance.

Whatever... we'll see.

In Joe and Ja'Marr (Pay the Man) I Trust.

 

We're also getting back Jackson off IR. Chance that both rookies might start, though the sounds of it BJ Hill should hopefully be back. Rankins next week?

 

Let's hope Trey can play

[UncleEarl]

3 hours ago, Jamie_B said:

 

We're also getting back Jackson off IR. Chance that both rookies might start, though the sounds of it BJ Hill should hopefully be back. Rankins next week?

 

Let's hope Trey can play

 

While I would like Hendrickson in there, I don't think the Ravens are the worst team in the world to be without him.  The don't need to necessarily get to Jackson, but to keep him in the pocket.  No big holes like when Hendrikson goes hard to the outside.  Keep Jackson in the pocket and make him throw.  (That assumes they don't run all over the defense.)

[Jamie_B]

5 minutes ago, UncleEarl said:

 

While I would like Hendrickson in there, I don't think the Ravens are the worst team in the world to be without him.  The don't need to necessarily get to Jackson, but to keep him in the pocket.  No big holes like when Hendrikson goes hard to the outside.  Keep Jackson in the pocket and make him throw.  (That assumes they don't run all over the defense.)

 

 

I hear you, from what I have been able to deduce over 4 games, Lou will blitz if the QB isnt mobile (Andy) but keep guys back if he is (Patrick and Daniels)

 

Probably seeing more rush 3 and drop 8 schemes this week

[-GoBengals-]

17 hours ago, Whodeyman said:

I don't  think Bengals defense will be able to stop ravens rushing attack.   I like controlling game by running football for Bengals but when you got a passing attack like Bengals going to be hard to keep it run heavy

 

im hoping, like most, they wont be able to stick to the run game with all the weapons out there they have, keeping the home run runs by henry at bay would be ideal, but he is so good at those. rough his ass up early.