Instant analysis after Burrow, Mixon torch Jaguars for Bengals’ first win

Instant analysis from Week 4, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cincinnati Bengals.

Riding a breakout performance from running back Joe Mixon, the Cincinnati Bengals cruised to the first win of the Joe Burrow era by putting a 33-25 hurting on the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.

After a slow start, Mixon erupted and scored multiple times, finishing the game with 151 rushing yards and two scores on a 6.0 average, plus 30 yards and a score through the air.

Here’s a look at some instant analysis coming out of the victory.

 

Quick Hits

— Telling start to the game — Bengals force a turnover and the offense goes a quick three-and-out, opting to run on second-and-long behind the struggling right side of the line before shifting field position maybe 20 yards after a punt.

— Brutal offensive line play was a factor again early, no better highlighted on a touchdown pass from Burrow to Tyler Boyd called back by a holding flag (on a play where four of the five linemen were close to outright falling down, the exception being Jonah Williams).

— Lou Anarumo’s defense, after the early turnover, proceeded to cough up 40-plus yards in flags on Jacksonville’s first scoring drive. It was 2019 shades of ugly, which has been more common this year than the team would probably prefer.

— Speaking of 2019 shades, Burrow should’ve had another touchdown pass in the first half. But the target to Drew Sample bounced off the tight end’s facemask and was intercepted.

— Written another way:

— Speaking of Burrow’s teammates, even after a touchdown, the Jaguars marched down the field with limited time left in the first half and scored a field goal, which should again call into question exactly what’s going on with Lou Anarumo’s defense.

— The second half made something very clear though — this was Joe Mixon’s breakout game. Mixon caught a touchdown in the first half, then broke free for a 34-yard score in the second to give the Bengals the lead. Then he made it three with another scoring scamper, just for fun.

— Bengals got some solid performances from defenders, expected and unexpected. Jessie Bates was a star for most of the game. Jordan Evans responded well to hearing his name called more and even picked up an interception and a sack.

— Burrow made some amazing history with his performance.

 

Key Stat

181: Mixon’s total-yardage tally. Good things happen when the ball goes in his hands, on the ground or through the air.

 

Game Ball

Joe Burrow: Normally we’d say Mixon. But don’t forget Burrow was wicked-accurate again on throws less than 20 yards in the air. And keep in mind he had two touchdowns called back in the first half or just dropped. Mixon doesn’t necessarily shake free if Burrow isn’t one of the most impressive rookies we’ve seen under center lately.

 

What to Fix

The defense: What exactly is Anarumo’s unit doing? It’s one thing to miss Geno Atkins. It’s another to again be unable to tackle and almost consistently give up chunk plays. Like every week, there were some decent drives. But the good again outweighed the bad.

 

Top Takeaway

Steady expectations: The Bengals looked very good for stretches Sunday while finally enjoying a win. The underlying context is simple: it came via a matchup with a terrible Jaguars team accused of outright tanking. That doesn’t mean don’t enjoy the win, but problems like the defense and offensive line need to continually be looked at — especially with a game against Baltimore next.

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