The Cincinnati Bengals made a change at the running back position this offseason, trading Joe Mixon to the Houston Texans and signing free-agent running back Zack Moss.
After one week, it’s Mixon 1, Moss/Chase Brown 0.
Moss and Brown combined for just 55 yards on 12 attempts in the Bengals’ 16-10 upset loss to the New England Patriots in Week 1.
On the flip side, Mixon had a huge debut for the Texans, rushing 30 times for 159 yards. Maybe even more impressive, Mixon had 115 yards after contact, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Houston would go on to defeat the Indianapolis Colts on the road 29-27.
It’s obviously very early to declare one side over the other, but Mixon is certainly off and running (no pun intended) with his new team while the Bengals’ early-season struggles continue.
With a trip to Kansas City looming next week, the Bengals are hoping to avoid their third straight 0-2 start. The good news is Kansas City just allowed 122 yards to Derrick Henry on Thursday night. Moss and Brown are far from the talent Henry is, but it at least shows some hope that the Bengals can quickly get back on track in Week 2.
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