There’s Life In Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown scores a touchdown in the first quarter during a Week 14 NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
After putting up 34 points on the Jaguars on Monday night, the Bengals got together before the Colts game and said “That was fun, let’s do that again!”. They did exactly that, defeating the Indianapolis Colts in dominating fashion by a final score of 34-14. Jake Browning was nearly perfect once again, and the defense came through at all the right times.
Here are our top takeaways from today’s winning affair.
The offensive line did everything right to allow Jake Browning to produce
Zac Taylor on the Bengals offensive line today: Awesome. I think those guys up front did a great job.
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) December 10, 2023
Implementing your gameplan starts with the offensive line doing its job, and today, they did exactly that.
Jake Browning was not sacked in the game, which is the first time the Bengals’ offensive line has done that all season. It’s also quite the accomplishment that they did this against the Colts, who came into today with the second most defensive sacks in the NFL.
Browning didn’t need to do much in the pass game. However aside from the brutal pick-six in the second quarter to Ronnie Harrison Jr., Jake Browning was excellent in managing the game, and the o-line’s elite play made it possible for him to do that. He spread the ball around to eight different receivers, none of which had more than four targets. He averaged 11.5 passing yards per pass attempt, which was nearly three yards higher than every QB in the NFL in Week 13.
Left tackle Orlando Brown knew what they were up against. They knew their one goal as an o-line unit was to accomplish the tough task at hand.
“We understand how momentum works and the swing of things. I feel like the message was clear – stay the course,” Brown said after the victory.
The running back duo tandem continues to cook
Their strong play also allowed the running backs to cook. Joe Mixon and Chase Brown had strong play in the run game and even stronger play in the passing game. It was highlighted by Chase Brown’s first career touchdown in the first quarter.
INSANE: #Bengals rookie RB Chase Brown just reached a top speed of 22.05 mph on his 54-yard TD, that is the second-fastest play by a player with the ball in their hands all season
🤯🤯🤯
pic.twitter.com/B7B4H8zV7L— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 10, 2023
Over the last two games, Mixon and Brown have emerged as a tandem reminiscent of when Dallas had Zeke Elliott and Tony Pollard. Mixon, the reliable and consistent back, and Chase, the explosive speedster, combined for 104 rushing yards and 126 receiving yards. The tandem has been an absolutely integral part of the Bengals’ surprise two game winning streak.
Mixon, the veteran, was especially proud of the Bengals’ 2023 5th round draft pick.
“I can tell that boy been taking notes, I like to see that”- Joe Mixon on Chase Brown
Full interview with Mixon below!https://t.co/Woo8kHgzTk pic.twitter.com/TCDBovODNv— Elise Jesse (@EliseJesseTV) December 10, 2023
Over the last two games, Brown has 166 all-purpose yards. In Sunday’s winning affair, he was the Bengals’ leader in receiving yards.
The defense held its own
The Cincy defense set out today to ensure that Gardner Minshew couldn’t have a repeat performance of the Colts’ win last week against the Titans. On the first play of the game, Trey Hendrickson did exactly what he needed to do to set the tone.
TREY HENDRICKSON 💪 #Bengals pic.twitter.com/Zqhn7ssPFZ
— WINCINNATI (@WINCINNATI_) December 10, 2023
They didn’t stop there in the sack department, as Hendrickson had another sack, and Germaine Pratt and Cam Sample combined for another.
The biggest key for the Bengals winning was their defensive play in the second half. Near the end of the second half, the Bengals saw their 14-0 lead evaporate into 14-14 in about as much time as it takes the average fan to make a trip to the restroom. With the Bengals receiving the kickoff in the second half, they established momentum with a 6-play, 75 yard touchdown drive that culminated in Tanner Hudson’s first TD of the year.
From that point on, it was the defense’s job to maintain momentum and prevent the Colts from getting back in the game. They accomplished that mission by preventing the Colts from scoring in the second half in any capacity. The special teams even threw them a massive bone after the Colts pulled a blunder on a muffed punt.
Colts special teams screws up again.
Punt gunner DJ Ivey grabs the loose ball. pic.twitter.com/DX0oAKMR1u
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 10, 2023
The Colts even had an opportunity to score in the fourth quarter until a Gardner Minshew pass was tipped by Sam Hubbard and landed in the arms of a diving BJ Hill.
The defense will have, in all likelihood, a much easier task at hand in Week 15. They will welcome the Minnesota Vikings, who are currently struggling to find an identity on offense, especially under center.
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