Defense, Burrow’s mobility lead Bengals’ over Denver
The Cincinnati Bengals’ 15-10 over the Denver Broncos on Sunday looked similar to many games this season. The game included a slow start by the offense, a dominant performance by the defense and an inspiring drive by quarterback Joe Burrow.
After almost two quarters of subpar play by the Bengals’ offense, Denver missed a 51-yard field goal with 14 seconds left to play in the first half. Rather than take a knee and go into half tied 3-3, Burrow connected with Tyler Boyd for 19 yards and put Cincinnati in field goal range. Evan Mcpherson hit a 58yard field goal, a franchise record, to give the Bengals a 6-3 lead at the half.
After Denver took the lead in the third quarter, the Bengals went no-huddle and in a matter of 45 seconds took the lead back. Burrow found his “security blanket” Boyd for a 56-yard touchdown.
The defense held the rest of the way. Here’s what we learned from the win: Defense sends message
With stars on the offensive side of the ball, the Bengals’ defense seems to get overlooked. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s unit held the Broncos to 10 points on the road. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson continues to be the team’s most valuable player on defense and has recorded a sack in 10 consecutive games. Coach Zac Taylor gave game balls to all of the Bengals’ defensive tackles for their performance in the win as D.J. Reader and Larry Ogunjobi made highlight-worthy plays.
“Our defense played their tails off,” Taylor said. “I think they really sent a message to the league that we have a hell of a defense.”
The Bengals recorded six quarterback hits, three sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Burrow uses ability to scramble
At the start of the season, Joe Burrow wasn’t sure if he would be able to make the types of plays he was accustomed to making with his legs. After a knee injury that cut his rookie season short, he had every reason to be hesitant to run.
Not only is he continuing to impress with his accuracy, he has showed he’s capable of extending plays again with his mobility.
Cincinnati was 4 for 13 on third down against the Broncos. Three of those conversions came on Burrow runs.
“It felt good,” Burrow said. “I don’t know if I would have been able to do that at the beginning of the year. I think that’s a testament to my hard work and as well as the hard work of all of the people around me.”
Mcpherson is Bengals’ secret ‘weapon’
Mcpherson made all three of field goal attempts. The first-year kicker has made 21 of 25 field goal attempts this season, good for 84%.
“He’s a weapon,” Taylor said of Mcpherson. “That’s the best way to put it, he’s a weapon.”