Bengals 34 Panthers 24
The Bengals built a two TD lead with a late first half touchdown and a second half opening drive TD.
They used the run game to kill clock late and add a 46-yard field goal by Evan McPherson to put it away.
A 10 point road win. First win with Joe Burrow at QB in 329 days, November 5 vs Bills.
Offense:
That’s back-to-back games of +30 points for the offense. Scored TD on four straight possessions.
Ran it 12 of their final 13 offensive snaps.
1st half: 21 points on just 25 snaps and 10:00 TOP. 66-yard TD drive in final 1:08. Open 2nd half: 8 plays/71 yard/4:22 TD.
OL strong in pass protection. Joe Burrow time to scan and throw all day.
Burrow: 22-31-232, 2 TD, 1 INT, 0 sacks.
Spinning extension of play for 21-yard completion to Moss on 3rd & 5.
Ankle got stepped on by OL in 1st QT. 1st INT of season in 4th QT, up 31-21. Poor decision in FG range. Led to Carolina FG 31-24. Hard count made the Panthers jump on 3rd & 4 with 3:17 left.
Ja’Marr Chase: 3-85. 63-yard TD in 2nd QT. Big YAC. So strong.
Chase Brown 15-80, 2 TD. 1st NFL rushing TD. Count me as a member of his fan club. Seems close to breaking it every time.
Zack Moss 15-51. 4 catches/27 yards. Swing pass catch/slip at 1-yard line, got up for TD or clock runs out.
Tee Higgins got targets early and often: 6-60 in first half. 0 2nd half.
Andrei Tosivas: Big 29-yard catch at end half. Shaken up, got back to line to spike it.
Erik All is going to be a dude. Blocks, catches, breaks tackles.
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Defense:
Leading 31-24, got a three and out stop with 5:00 left in the game.
1st half: Carolina 41 plays for 217 yards.
Man, this team can’t tackle. How many 3rd & short?
Forced a punt in 3rd QT, first since KC game. 11 drives. Amazing.
Trey Hendrickson injured his neck with 8:00 left in the game and did not return.
Andy Dalton: 25-40-220, 2 TD, 1 INT, 0 sacks
Opening drive: 4th down stop at goal line. 12 plays/69 yards/0 points.
Lou Anarumo and players were fired up. Kris Jenkins and Sam Hubbard appeared to lead the charge.
Vonn Bell interception after Trey Hendrickson got a hand on the Dalton release. Led to a TD drive.
Jenkins was very active, club on his hand and all.
CTB sure gives up big gains/TD. + holding call erased his INT
Does Dax Hill do anything well?
I don’t know if Jordan Battle is the answer. I do know Vonn Bell isn’t.
DJ Turner made some plays, getting snaps for CMT and Hill.
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Special Teams:
Ryan Rehkow: 62, 56-yard punt. 1st since Kansas City.
Evan McPherson 46 and 56-yarder.
Trayveon Williams KR to 19 yard line. Struggled with another short kick.
Tycen Anderson nice open field tackle.
DaiJaun Anthony broke up a fake punt pass.
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Records:
Chase 5th player in Super Bowl era with at least 4,000 receiving yards and 30 TD through 50 career games: Odell Beckham Jr., A.J. Green, Randy Moss, Jerry Rice. Chase in 49 games to Green’s 50 for franchise record. .
Chase: 17th TD of 30+ yards/most in NFL (per CBS).
Burrow 4th fastest to reach 15,000 career passing yards, in game No. 56.