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The Cincinnati Bengals made it tough on themselves once again, repeatedly suffering self-inflicted wounds against the New Orleans Saints in Week 6.
That ultimately led to a win, though, as it was offense unexpectedly reviving and compensating, helping the 30-26 win.
A brutal day for the defense, some key moments and more headline some of the instant analysis coming out of the game.
Quick Hits
— Protection issues right from the opening gun as Joe Burrow got sacked on a third down during the first drive. Free rusher came right up the middle past Joe Mixon.
— Bengals got a stop on New Orleans’ first drive…but Trent Taylor muffed the punt and the Saints recovered.
— Burrow missed a few throws on the second drive, at least once while under pressure and once on the run.
— Bengals tied it up 7-7 after Burrow caught fire, at one point going 7-of-7 on the scoring drive. A potential point we look back on as the moment the offense figured it out this season.
— After offenses found success attacking the edges of the Bengals defense in prior weeks, Saints did the same to take a 14-7 lead as a practice-squad callup ran for a huge touchdown. That edge defense is something the Bengals can either correct or be a major factor in a ruined season.
— Joe Burrow propped up the team on his back late in the first half, ripping off a wow-worthy touchdown run.
— The Bengals coughed up 164 rushing yards in the first half alone, a staggering down performance for a defense that has needed to carry games this year (and during last year’s Super Bowl run).
— Third-and-long in the second half, Trey Hendrickson commits what might be the defense’s worst penalty of the year with a bad roughing the passer call.
— Burrow found Chase for a poetic sort of connection and touchdown in the third quarter, yet another good play design as the adapt-on-the-fly offense continues.
— While the offensive line had played well most of the game in pass protection, it collapsed and allowed two consecutive sacks on what could have been a go-ahead-touchdown drive.
— Defense held when Bengals needed it the most, getting its first three-and-out since the opening drive with roughly two minutes left in the game.
— Ja’Marr Chase iced the game with a 60-yard score on a jaw-dropping play, one that was only fitting for his return to the Dome.
Key Stat
228: That’s the Saints rushing total for the game after generating 160-plus in the first half. The total comes at a 6.7 per-carry average. The numbers explain how the Saints were able to drum up a 8-17 mark on third downs.
Game Balls
QB Joe Burrow: Gutty performance from Burrow, who led multiple touchdown drives and finished with 300 yards and three scores, plus that epic rushing touchdown.
LB Germaine Pratt: It’s hard to pick out any one person after that defensive flop and Pratt seemed to be getting targeted a lot. But it’s also hard to ignore he put up a staggering 13 total tackles.
Top Takeaway
Good trends: Feel-good nature of the win during the return to the Dome aside, Sunday was a really good sign for the offense. The gameplan was clearly strong and the schemes themselves good. Players executed and suddenly, it’s not so concerning that defenses will throw a bunch of Cover 2 at Burrow. The defense is another conversation, but DJ Reader will eventually return to stabilize things.
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