Tag: Bengals

Bengals’ Cedric Johnson deserves a bigger role during final stretch

The Bengals should let a high-upside player loose near the end of the season.

With just three weeks to go in the regular season and the Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Bleacher Report took a look at every NFL team’s biggest weaknesses before Week 16.

The Bleacher Report NFL Scouting Department had a piece of advice for every team related to those weaknesses, a move that they should make immediately, and for the Bengals, that advice is to give more snaps to Cedric Johnson.

Here’s what they had to say:

A point that has been made here throughout the season is that the Bengals need to develop some answers on the edge outside of Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson. We’ve made the point that Myles Murphy needs more run, but Cedric Johnson bears mentioning as well.

Johnson was a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft and the rookie got a few reps this week. He didn’t register a sack, but he did generate some pressure when he got on the field. It’s worth it for the Bengals to up his workload and see if he makes a play.

Johnson is in just his first season with the Bengals coming out of Ole Miss and has played in just six games with three tackles.

Of the weaknesses BR listed for Cincinnati, edge rusher is third on the list, but with Johnson already on the roster not getting a ton of playing time, it would be a quick fix if he gets on the field in extra snaps and impresses.

But they are going to need to pull out all of the stops in the final three weeks if they want any chance at making the postseason since they need to win out and rely on other teams losing as well.

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Bengals lose Tee Higgins to NFC in free-agency projections

Can the Bengals keep NFC teams away from Tee Higgins?

With the Cincinnati Bengals’ season approaching its end and the playoff picture becoming clearer with only four weeks remaining in the regular season, Bleacher Report took a look at some of the biggest weaknesses each team is going to be looking to fix over the offseason.

Although there has been talk from Joe Burrow recently about how he believes the team will be able to keep Tee Higgins around, the Bleacher Report NFL scouting department might not be as confident in that and believes that the Carolina Panthers should make a run at the Bengals pass catcher in free agency.

Here’s what the article said about the Panthers and why Higgins would be a fit:

Bryce Young has played well enough recently to earn a chance at remaining the starting quarterback in Carolina next season, but the offense could use some extra weapons for Young to throw to.

Higgins will likely be the top wide receiver in free agency since he’ll be just 26 years old in January and has No. 1 receiver potential. Meanwhile, the front office is projected to have about $33.6 million of cap space in the offseason, per Over The Cap, to help make this pairing happen.

At this point, all Bengals fans can do is sit back and wait to see what happens with the receiver, but it seems that any outcome is possible at this point.

While dealing with some injuries this season, Higgins has been able to catch 45 passes for 581 yards and five touchdowns in just eight games, far outpacing his 42 catches for 656 yards and five scores he had in 2023.

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Steelers QB Russell Wilson earns award after huge week

Russell Wilson’s huge game eared him the FedEx Air & Ground Award for Week 13.

The last time the Pittsburgh Steelers had a 400-yard passing performance was all the way back in 2018 when Ben Roethlisberger did it. But last week, Russell Wilson broke the streak when he threw for 414 yards in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Wilson was passed over for the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award but he was named the FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week for Week 13. Wilson also threw for three touchdowns in the huge AFC North win.

 

The Steelers opened up the offense last week against the Bengals and we hope to see much more of that as the Steelers push for an AFC North title and a deep run in the playoffs.

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Chargers’ Week 16 matchup vs. Broncos flexed to ‘Thursday Night Football’

The Chargers will have three primetime games throughout the remainder of the regular season.

The Chargers’ Week 16 matchup with the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium has been flexed to “Thursday Night Football” on Prime Video, the NFL announced Friday.

Los Angeles’ matchup with Denver at SoFi Stadium was previously set for 1:05 p.m. PT on FOX.

The Bengals were slated to host the Browns in the previously scheduled “Thursday Night Football” game.

The divisional bout is the first game to be flexed to “Thursday Night Football.” Under the new rules, effective as of 2023, up to two “Thursday Night Football” games between Weeks 13-17 can be flexed.

The Chargers will now have three primetime games left in the regular season, with the other two being against the Ravens on Nov. 25 and the Chiefs on Dec. 8.

Skip Bayless is sick of Bengals failing Joe Burrow

Bengals fans will like this one from Skip Bayless.

The Cincinnati Bengals have been underperforming with a 4-7 record, and many people have their own opinions about why they haven’t been playing like they were expected to.

But Skip Bayless, who is known for having some very strong opinions, knows one thing: Joe Burrow is being let down. Bayless made sure to make that clear on Twitter after the Bengals’ most recent loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

“Joe Burrow is still the best quarterback in football,” the tweet read, although the entire thing was in all caps, “and as tough as they come. What punishment he absorbed tonight, and just kept jumping back up and completing another pass.”

It’s high praise from the long-time TV host, and he is certainly right that none of this can be blamed on Burrow. In 11 games this season, he has thrown for a 67.2 completion percentage, 3,028 yards and 27 touchdowns with just four interceptions.

Because of the Bengals’ record this far into the season, it would be tough to imagine Burrow gets any recognition for the award, but he is playing near – if not at – an MVP level, and Bayless is another person who has recognized that.

 

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Ladd McConkey’s dominant rookie campaign continues: ‘He’s a baller’

Ladd McConkey has been one of the league’s top rookie wide receivers.

The Chargers and Bengals were tied at 27 apiece and 45 seconds left in the game, and Los Angeles needed someone to step up on offense, which had stalled throughout the second half.

Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey rose to the occasion.

McConkey reeled in two passes for 55 yards that set up J.K. Dobbins’ go-ahead touchdown run.

“When we needed an answer, Ladd made some big catches and we moved the ball,” quarterback Justin Herbert said.

The first reception went for 28 yards. McConkey was covered by Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton, and the former Georgia product climbed the ladder and made a great catch near the right sideline.

Two plays later, McConkey ran an excellent corner route to make himself open near the left sideline, and Herbert delivered a strike for a gain of 27 yards. Dobbins then sealed the deal.

McConkey finished the game with six catches for 123 yards, which is a career-high and the most by a Chargers rookie since Keenan Allen.

The connection between McConkey and Herbert has continued to strengthen week after week, and the numbers speak for themselves.

McConkey is up to a team-high 43 receptions and 615 yards, both of which are second-most among all rookie wide receivers.

“He’s a dude,” running back J.K. Dobbins said. “He’s a baller. He’s a playmaker.”

People were writing off the Chargers’ wide receiver room because of the lack of top-end talent, but McConkey has provided the much-needed boost and has grown into a role that he can be counted on in crunch time.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 11 win over Bengals

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the win over the Bengals.

In Week 11, the Chargers defeated the Bengals, 34-27.

En route to victory, there were some standout performers and others who did not contribute as much.

That said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Top 5 Offense

WR Ladd McConkey — 85.7

OT Joe Alt — 84.1

OL Trey Pipkins — 81.3

OT Rashawn Slater — 79.1

OL Zion Johnson — 77.4

Top 5 Defense

S Alohi Gilman — 83.3

LB Denzel Perryman — 75.1

CB Cam Hart — 74.3

S Derwin James — 72.8

DT Poona Ford — 69.2

Bottom 5 Offense

WR Joshua Palmer — 64.0

RB Gus Edwards — 63.5

WR Quentin Johnston — 61.3

FB Scott Matlock — 53.9

WR Jalen Reagor — 52.2

Bottom 5 Defense

LB Daiyan Henley — 55.5

EDGE Bud Dupree — 54.2

S Elijah Molden — 50.2

DT Otito Ogbonnia — 47.5

CB Ja’Sir Taylor — 38.9

Everything to know from Chargers’ win over Bengals

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ thrilling win over the Bengals.

What. A. Game.

The Chargers outlasted the Bengals on Sunday night, improving to 7-3.

Here’s our recap of the Week 11 win.

It was over when…

J.K. Dobbins rushed for a 29-yard touchdown with 18 seconds remaining.

Notable number

According to ESPN’s Benjamin Solak, Justin Herbert now has 15 game-winning drives in his career. Only Patrick Mahomes and Kirk Cousins have more since 2020 when Herbert entered the league.

3 stars of the game

  1. QB Justin Herbert: Herbert was lights out in the first half. While he wasn’t nearly as sharp in the second half, Herbert made two big throws on the final drive to guide the team to victory.
  2. WR Ladd McConkey: McConkey finished with 123 yards on six catches, including two big receptions on the final possession to put the Chargers in Bengals territory.
  3. RB J.K. Dobbins: Dobbins had 11 carries for 56 yards and two rushing touchdowns, including the game-winner.

Quick hits

  • Herbert delivered dime after dime in the first half, completing 10 of 14 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. But that same level of play didn’t carry over into the second half.
  • The Chargers could not move the ball and went three and out on half of their offensive possessions, all while the Bengals crept back to tie the game off of 21 unanswered points, led by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins.
  • The Bengals had two opportunities in the fourth quarter to take the lead, but Evan McPherson missed his go-ahead field goal attempts from 48 and 51 yards.
  • In previous years, Los Angeles would have blown that type of game (it gave me flashbacks to the playoff loss to the Jaguars). But the defense made a big stop at the end, Herbert rallied the offense with two big throws to McConkey, and Dobbins delivered the knockout punch.
  • Herbert finished the game 17-of-36 passing for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and five carries for 65 yards. While he didn’t benefit from some dropped passes, there were a few instances of him missing receivers in the second half. Herbert also lost a fumble early in the fourth quarter.
  • For the first time this season, the Chargers’ defense gave up more than 20 points. They allowed the Bengals to convert on all three of their fourth-down attempts. Cincinnati totaled 452 yards.

What’s next?

The Chargers host the Ravens next Monday night, Nov. 25, at 5:15 pm PT.

Chargers highlight: J.K. Dobbins goes airborne to extend the Chargers’ lead

Jim Harbaugh has the Bengals in his sights.

Jim Harbaugh has the Bengals in his sights.

After two stellar drives by Justin Herbert on an individual level, the quarterback sparked the Chargers’ fourth drive of the game with a 30 yard scramble to take the ball into Bengals territory. An outlet pass to Derius Davis on the following play got the ball into the red zone.

From there, it turned into Harbaugh-ball. Five of the Chargers’ next seven plays were runs, the first of which went for 9 yards as Gus Edwards plowed through the middle of the line. An incomplete pass by Herbert was wiped out by an unnecessary roughness penalty, giving Los Angeles first and goal from the 2.

After another incompletion by Herbert, the Chargers decided enough was enough. Los Angeles handed the ball to Hassan Haskins on the next two plays, but the running back was unable to reach the ball across the goal line, forcing the Chargers into a fourth and goal from the 1 yard line.

No worries, said Harbaugh, who put his offense out there to extend the lead. JK Dobbins took the handoff this time, diving over the middle of the offensive line for a 1 yard touchdown, his seventh score of the season.

The touchdown gave the Chargers a commanding 21-6 lead in the second quarter on Sunday Night Football.

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Chargers highlight: Justin Herbert catches fire for second TD of the game

Justin Herbert is throwing lasers on Sunday Night Football.

Justin Herbert is throwing lasers on Sunday Night Football.

After a Bengals field goal cut the Chargers lead to 1, Herbert decided to take matters into his own hands. A hole shot over the outstretched hands of a Bengals corner hit Quentin Johnston for 22 yards down the left sideline. A seam throw to tight end Will Dissly got the Chargers another 20 yards on the following play.

After a 3 yard JK Dobbins run, Herbert once again took the ball into his own hands. He rolled right, scrambling forward before delivering a strike across the field to Johnston, who hauled in the catch for a 26 yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-6 early in the second quarter.

It’s Johnston’s sixth touchdown of the season in just eight games, as the second-year receiver has emerged as one of Los Angeles’ top weapons. The Chargers’ other main threat, rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, went to the locker room with a shoulder injury prior to the touchdown drive.

Herbert has now thrown 13 touchdowns to just 1 interception this season.

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