Bengals Keys: Keep DTR In The Pocket
Credit: Jeff Lange via Imagn Images
Don’t look now, but the Cincinnati Bengals are riding a two-game winning streak, and will now face the Cleveland Browns at home in a Sunday afternoon showdown. It’s a must-win game for the Bengals, as a loss will eliminate them from playoff contention.
What are our keys to a victory for the Bengals?
Trap Dorian Thompson-Robinson In the Pocket
The phrase “The Cleveland Browns have announced BLANKETY BLANK as their new starting quarterback” is a yearly tradition as beloved as presents on Christmas morning. However, in this case, it’s actually BLANKETY BLANK-BLANK.
Browns name QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson as Week 16 starter. pic.twitter.com/2cUiBsaV6J
— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2024
Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been given the keys to the Browns’ offense after God failed to deliver Jameis Winston from Pick-6s since Deshaun Watson’s injury. He’s had just 34 attempts, so it’s a small sample size, but he’s looked awful. DTR has the third-worst overall quarterback grade this season, per PFF (38.4), in addition to the third-worst passing grade (28.5). He’s thrown for a mere 100 yards and has yet to find the end zone, and he has thrown as many interceptions in 34 passing attempts (3) as Lamar Jackson has thrown in 404 passing attempts.
With that said, one area where Thompson-Robinson excels (which the Bengals have seen firsthand) is as a rusher. Coming out of college, he ran a 4.56 40-yard dash, and his dual-threat ability has translated to the pros, as he has averaged a respectable 6.3 yards per rushing attempt.
Keeping him in the pocket is essential for a Bengals team that has struggled with mobile quarterbacks, especially given DTR’s monumental struggles as a pocket passer. The Bengals were able to force their opponent into benching their starting quarterback last week, and they have an opportunity to do the same against yet another hapless Browns offense.
Joe Burrow Must Play Like An MVP
Despite his incredible season, Joe Burrow may be off the MVP radar due to the Bengals’ 6-8 record. Still, he can very much still plead his case for some votes. A win will at least keep his MVP dream (as well as Cincinnati’s postseason hopes) alive.
“Joe Burrow is playing at an MVP level, his defense is going to prevent him from getting that award.”
– Peyton Manning
— Patrick Carey (@PatCareySports) December 10, 2024
Luckily for Shiesty, he will be playing a defense that has struggled in coverage. They have allowed a 95.5 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks, picked off just four passes, and have allowed the sixth-most yards per attempt (7.53) in the NFL. Even in Week 7 in Cleveland, where Burrow wasn’t at his best and the offense was noticeably out of sync, he still managed to throw for 181 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
That defense is noticeably worse now than before, which Burrow can take advantage of. The Browns’ defense has had its fair share of injuries that will make Burrow’s life easier. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, the Browns’ stud linebacker, is currently on injured reserve. Greg Newsome II, who had a solid performance in Week 7 against Cincinnati, injured his hamstring and is now out for the year.
With Joe Burrow having his full cast of weapons around him, in addition to the potential return of Cody Ford at left tackle (Orlando Brown Jr. remains unlikely to play), he has a major opportunity to pull off a commanding win and continue to pad his statistics.
Remember What’s At Stake
Cincy’s postseason chances are currently as slim as can be, but they still exist. Their logo re-appeared on the “In the Hunt” portion of CBS’ AFC playoff picture graphic, and I’m not gonna lie, I got a little twinkle in my eye.
The Bengals, at least for the moment, control their own destiny, as they are eliminated from postseason contention with a loss. If they win, which they are heavily favored to do, they will enter a Week 17 home matchup with a Denver team that currently holds the sixth seed in the AFC. It’s win or go home, and everyone from Burrow on down has to recognize that.
A Bengals win would also enable Joe Burrow to overcome a narrative that plagued him throughout the beginning of his career.
Burrow finally won in Cleveland. Life is good. 🐅 pic.twitter.com/Nl6Tr5IA94
— Michael Turner (@TurnerComedy_) October 20, 2024
While Burrow currently holds a 2-5 career record against the Browns, two of those wins have come in his last three starts against Cleveland. He has slowly but surely begun to change the narrative of him being unable to beat the Browns. With a lose-and-you’re-out game on the docket, he has every motivation to distance himself further from his struggles against Cleveland.
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