Bengals Takeaways: Charlie Jones Is A Weapon
Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Don’t look now, but the Cincinnati Bengals have won three out of their last four games.
The Bengals went into Cleveland and beat the Browns by a final score of 21-14. It was far from a perfect affair, but getting a divisional road win is a huge step for the Bengals to get their season back on track. It marks the first time since 2017 that Cincinnati won a game in Cleveland, and the Bengals now sit at 3-4 on the season, which puts the playoff bubble within striking distance.
What are our top takeaways from the afternoon?
Chuck Sizzle Is A Special Teams Star
On the opening play of the game, Charlie Jones became only the third player in 2024 to return a kickoff to the house.
CHARLIE FREAKIN' JONES WITH THE 100-YD KICK RETURN!!!!
📺: #CINvsCLE on CBS pic.twitter.com/9ObAqsLtQ7
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 20, 2024
The 100-yard return, in which Jones managed to tiptoe along the sideline without stepping out, was the longest we’ve seen in the 2024 season. More importantly, it allowed the Bengals to maintain a lead throughout the entirety of the first half, even as both offenses stalled out.
That wasn’t Jones’ only contribution, either. Early in the second quarter, Jones returned a punt 23 yards in the second quarter, which was his season-high.
Coming into today, Charlie Jones only had two kick returns on the season. Bengals fans were more than familiar with Jones’ explosive ability as a punt returner, as he took one to the house last season against Baltimore. Jones hasn’t been a factor in the wide receiver room, with a single five-yard reception in 2024. However, it’s clear his breakaway speed is more than worth his roster spot, and he gave a reminder why on Sunday.
Still upset about the new kickoff format?
Third Downs Were A Problem
Even with the win, the Bengals’ performance against the Browns left a lot to be desired.
Coming into this afternoon, the Bengals ranked fourth in the NFL in conversion rate on third down, as they had successfully converted 45.8% of their attempts. However, despite explosive plays from the Bengals, Cleveland was able to stay in the game because of Cincinnati’s paltry 2-for-13 conversion rate on third down. We should never have to see Ryan Rehkow on the field eight times.
Perhaps the most controversial of these attempts was midway through the third quarter. On 3rd-and-8 from Cleveland’s 41-yard line, Zack Moss took a handoff and ran directly into the waiting arms of Myles Garrett, forcing the punt. It was a failed opportunity to capitalize on Sam Hubbard’s first career interception.
First career INT for @Sam_Hubbard_ ‼️
📺: #CINvsCLE on CBSpic.twitter.com/UfvmRLeoyd
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 20, 2024
Thankfully, one of the two conversions on third down was a house call.
Tee Higgins has double-digit fantasy points for a FOURTH straight week 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OvluYfVv0O
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 20, 2024
On defense, the Bengals were tied for the sixth-worst third-down conversion rate coming into today allowing opponents to turn 44.7% of those situations into a fresh set of downs. Cleveland, despite ranking dead last in the league with a 19.2% success rate coming into the game, converted on eight of their 19 attempts.
The D-Line Still Needs To Improve
It was a good, not great game for the Bengals’ pass rush. The team had four sacks on Cleveland’s quarterbacks. Trey Hendrickson had his second consecutive multi-sack game, and Sam Hubbard and Sheldon Rankins had a sack apiece. Rankins’ sack was his first of the year.
However, in terms of quarterbacks going down in the backfield, none of those sacks were the story of the game.
Deshaun Watson is now being carted off the field. https://t.co/9RyLY0Fby5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 20, 2024
(No comment.)
However, the Bengals have continued a trend of letting quarterbacks escape rough situations, in a flashback to Week 5, when Lamar Jackson escaped a potentially huge loss to find Isaiah Likely for a touchdown. Watson made the most of his last few moments with a working Achilles, escaping a Trey Hendrickson sack and completing a pass to tight end Jordan Akins for a first down.
Once Watson was down, backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson was able to march down the field on the Browns’ first possession of the second half. It was largely due to a 34-yard run by the dual threat out of UCLA.
While the defensive line is deeper and better than they were in their first few weeks, they’re still allowing quarterbacks to escape and make something out of nothing. That troubling trend must be reversed next week, as dual-threat Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles come into town.
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