Bengals Takeaways: Improving Offense, Regressing Defense
Albert Cesare/Imagn Images
In an offensive showdown, the Bengals walked away from Bank of America Stadium with a 34-23 win over the Carolina Panthers. It was the franchise’s first win against a team in which Andy Dalton was the starter. Joe Burrow totaled 232 passing yards and the Chase Brown/Zack Moss duo had three all-purpose touchdowns. The victory brings the Bengals’ record to 1-3 on the year.
What are our top takeaways from the afternoon affair?
The worries about Joe Mixon’s departure should have subsided by now
Bengals fans were highly upset after the team traded Joe Mixon to the Texans, and those worries went from bad to worse after Mixon lit up the stat sheet in Week 1. However, the tides have turned almost entirely.
Zack Moss and Chase Brown combined for 131 rushing yards (141 team total) and Brown had 2 TDs
Do the Bengals finally have a viable running game? đź‘€ https://t.co/O500zXLDt6
— Bengalscentre (@benga1scentre) September 29, 2024
Brown and Moss are beginning to become the effective running back tandem that fans hoped they would become.
Moss was effective as a ball carrier and as a pass catcher, particularly near the end of the first half when he took a Joe Burrow pass into the end zone to give the Bengals the lead.
Zack Moss scores with one second left in the half!
đź“ş: #CINvsCAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/r6iwuDOA9p— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
Brown, however, was the leader on the day, as he totaled 15 carries, 80 yards, and two touchdowns that ended up being the difference maker. It was the first career two touchdown game for the explosive second year running back.
"I'm just doing my job. I'm a running back, I want the ball. Hand it off to me, throw it to me, I'm confident in my ability."
A locker room minute with Chase Brown after his first career two touchdown game. pic.twitter.com/WFW7SGtajF
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) September 29, 2024
Mixon, who has 184 rushing yards and one touchdown this season, has been hurt the last two games with an ankle injury. As a result, Moss (191 yards, two TDs) and Brown (184 yards, two TDs) have now caught up to Mixon’s rushing totals on the season.
Erick All is emerging as the TE1
Erick All proved today that catching passes is only half of the job of a tight end.
Chase Brown gets the glory, but rookie TE Erick All is the unsung hero with the key block across the formation pic.twitter.com/r8xN3f8hRI
— All-22 (@All22_PFF) September 29, 2024
All didn’t light up the stat sheet, but he was modestly productive, as he totaled 4 receptions and 22 yards in only his fourth career NFL game. Though, a more telling sign of his rise: he led All (pun intended) Bengals tight ends in snaps with 40. The Week 1 starter, Mike Gesicki, not only totaled only 22 snaps, but he only had one reception that went for -9 yards.
Cincinnati has struggled mightily in their quest to find a bona fide TE1 ever since Tyler Eifert’s career was derailed by injuries, and All is on his way to being a possible long term player for their squad. Not only has he emerged as a possible receiving threat, but he was highly effective as a blocker, earning a 74.5 PFF grade in pass blocking and providing the aforementioned critical block for Chase Brown’s first quarter touchdown. He could find himself in the rotation regularly on the edge of the strong offensive line, who did not allow a single sack all day.
The defense is regressing
Despite the win, the Bengals’ defense got burned all day. They allowed 5.3 yards per carry to the Panthers’ rushing attack and allowed Chuba Hubbard to top the century mark with 104 total yards. The passing defense was hardly any better, as Diontae Johnson (7/83/1) and rookie Xavier Legette (6/66/1) both had solid days and kept the Panthers in the contest. They did not record a single sack on Andy Dalton.
Cam Taylor-Britt, the Bengals’ number one corner, had a particularly rough day, as he allowed 5 receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown when targeted. Andy Dalton had a 151.2 passer rating when receivers covered by CTB were thrown to.
Much of this can logically be attributed to the coaching staff sticking with slower veterans who are losing steps instead of younger players who can provide new life to the defense. Despite playing 100% of defensive snaps, Vonn Bell struggled yet again, as he totaled two missed tackles. He had an interception show up on the stat sheet, but he was simply in the right place at the right time thanks to Trey Hendrickson getting to Andy Dalton as he was throwing. Hendrickson’s play on Dalton caused him to release a pass that closely resembled an infield fly.
Vonn Bell – First INT since his return to the #Bengals
— Who Dey Hype (@Bengals_Hype) September 29, 2024
Speaking of Hendrickson, the defense took a major hit when he went down with a neck injury. His recovery prognosis is not yet known.
Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson dealing with a neck stinger, coach Zac Taylor said.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) September 29, 2024
Despite all this, it wasn’t totally grim. Kris Jenkins made a critical stop on fourth and goal to prevent the Panthers from scoring on the opening possession.
Kris Jenkins pic.twitter.com/cAqxQ123bT
— Faux Joey Brrr (@FauxJeaux) September 29, 2024
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