Bengals Keys: Contain Pittman And Limit Colts Pass Rush
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) runs in the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. The final score was 31-28.
After shocking the nation in prime time and upsetting the Jaguars, the Bengals find themselves at an even .500 and right back in the thick of the playoff race. Jake Browning and the Bengals will look to build off of that performance as the Colts travel down I-74 to Paycor Stadium for a Sunday afternoon showdown.
Here are our keys to a second straight victory by the Bengals.
Jake Browning must build off of his Monday Night performance
After performing far beyond everyone’s expectations against the Jaguars, Jake Browning has one job: show America that last Monday’s game was not a fluke.
A lot of Bengals fans are currently in the honeymoon phase with their de facto starter. He dominated in only his second career start, and gave the Bengals a huge win when it felt like all hope on the season was lost. That over-the-moon feeling is 100% justified, especially after Browning took home hardware earlier in the week.
Your AFC Offensive Player of the Week…
JAKE BROWNING! pic.twitter.com/qItMAHN7zP
— Josh Iles (@WDNToday) December 6, 2023
However, after facing a soft Jaguars’ pass defense, he gets a tougher test in the Indianapolis Colts. In 2023, while they are middle-of-the-pack in passing yards allowed, they are tied for fourth in the NFL in fewest passing TDs allowed (13) and tied for fifth in interceptions (12).
One thing the Bengals are doing an excellent job of is doing everything they can to set Jake Browning up for success. They began to open up the run game against Jacksonville. They have their full arsenal of receivers in Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. Not to mention, the Bengals had an extra headset lying around and they gave it to the best person they possibly could have.
joe burrow with the smug look after the jake browning first down is what i needed. pic.twitter.com/BgDLhPsnQ0
— ryan 🐙🪐 (@yoshismachbike) December 5, 2023
Having Joe Burrow as a coach on the field not only helps Browning adjust to his role as the starter for the rest of the year, but it will help Burrow remain sharp for when he retains the starting job in 2024. It also gives Bengals nation a sense of relief, as it shows how committed Burrow is to the team, as opposed to his AFC North counterparts.
LEADERSHIP: The difference between Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson is HUGE.
Burrow is on the sidelines helping out his backup, helping his team win games.
Watson is sitting in a luxury box without a care in the world.
(h/t @Jamrock_216) pic.twitter.com/EsqrFSSvIa
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 5, 2023
Contain Michael Pittman
Gardner Minshew loves two things more than anything: combing his mustache, and throwing to Michael Pittman.
Michael. Pittman. JR
Ball Game 🗡️
— Peyton2Luck™️ (@Peyton2L) December 3, 2023
Pittman is the unquestioned number one receiver on the Colts, and he’s absolutely caught fire of late. During the Colts’ ongoing four game winning streak, he has totaled 37 receptions, 360 yards, and one touchdown, which was the aforementioned game winner he caught against Tennessee.
While Cincinnati has managed to play adequately against top receivers so far this season, the recent injury to Cam Taylor-Britt will make life a little more difficult in the secondary. Even with that, the Bengals have only allowed three wide receivers to eclipse the century mark all year: Brandon Aiyuk in Week 8, Noah Brown in Week 10, and Odell Beckham Jr. in Week 11.
Limit the Colts’ pass rush
To ensure that Browning stays effective, the offensive line must control the Colts’ dominant pass rush. Indy is second in the NFL in sacks (42), and four of their pass rushers have at least 5.5 sacks on the year. It remains to be seen whether Jonah Williams will play, as he has logged limited practices all week due to a back injury.
It does help that Jake Browning improved his decision making against Jacksonville. In the face of pressure, he was able to quickly think and make plays.
I thought this was such a underrated throw by Jake Browning
Pressure right in his face and had to adjust his throwing motion pic.twitter.com/R91d2asKcy
— Chaston Scott (@CinCity808) December 7, 2023
Continue to open up the run game
This Sunday, the run game gets a golden opportunity to continue what they started last Monday.
Joe Mixon and Chase Brown, who had 68 and 61 rushing yards respectively, will be facing a softer run defense this week, as Indy has allowed the seventh most rushing yards and the third most rushing touchdowns. Who Dey Nation is particularly excited about Brown, who showcased the quickness and big play ability that convinced Duke Tobin to use the Bengals’ fifth round pick on him.
The Patience On this play by Chase Brown is a thing of beauty #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/1kSB0CVgTg
— JE💫 (@JUSTERIC__) December 5, 2023
After an embarrassing rushing performance against Pittsburgh, Zac Taylor and Brian Callahan knew they had to change up their game plan. They came through with a solid performance in Mixon and Brown’s first game as a running back tandem.
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