The Cincinnati Bengals, continuing a season-long theme, once again reached deep into the depth of the roster for help — this time when it mattered most.
During the instant-classic playoff win over the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati needed emergency help due to injuries and otherwise threw out some interesting packages as they tried to shutter an elite Ravens rushing attack.
Some takeaways from the snap counts:
— Jackson Carman played nearly 50 percent of the offensive snaps after the injury to Jonah Williams. It’s hard to know if Carman will stay there next week if needed, but Williams was on crutches with a brace after the game.
— All three starting wideouts played 90 percent or more of the snaps as the offense looked to spread out an elite defense and find openings.
— Samaje Perine was in on 31 snaps compared to Joe Mixon’s 26, a trend likely to continue because of Perine’s ability as a pass-blocker.
— Eli Apple left with an injury but still returned and ended up playing 61 snaps (88 percent).
— Trey Hendrickson, playing on a broken wrist, played 30 snaps.
— Mike Hilton only played 27 snaps as the defense shifted away from its typical cornerback-heavy looks in order to stop the run. Even so, he made major impacts when actually on the field.
— Akeem Davis-Gaither played just 16 snaps — but one of them was the game-swinging interception.
— Also making a big impact on a small number of chances? Pass-rusher Joseph Ossai’s multiple pressures on just 13 snaps.
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