In week 8, the Bengals suffered a deflating defeat to the Eagles, missing a chance to get back to .500 on the season. This week, the Bengals were again without Tee Higgins, but were also facing a Raiders team that has largely struggled this season, and traded away their top WR in a rebuilding move. The expectations were high, and a loss in this one might have just pulled the curtain down early in their 2024 campaign.
With the idea of a loss being catastrophic, the Bengals did not have the kind of start you would have hoped for. They actually appeared to have forced a 3 and out, but a 3rd down flag moved the chains forward for the Raiders. From there, Minshew had his way with the Bengals defence. He found Bowers for 9 yards and then Meyers for 22 on the next play. A handful of plays later, White ran it in for a 1 yard TD to put the Raiders up 7-0.
To their credit, the Bengals responded well. Chase Brown was involved in 6 of the first 8 plays from scrimmage, and racked up 39 yards over that span. Later, it was a 4th down conversion to Tanner Hudson that kept the drive alive deep in Raiders territory. Not long after, Burrow found Brown in the back of the end zone for a 1 yard TD. The RB did just enough to get his feet down in bounds. 7-7.
The two teams traded field goals, with McPherson hitting from 44 and Carlson from 46 yards out. But the Bengals were able to grab the lead before halftime. Gesicki made a 24 yard catch to put the ball near midfield. Then, an unnecessary roughness penalty on Maxx Crosby further advanced the drive. An 11 yard completion to Ja’Marr Chase gave the Bengals 1st & goal from the 10, from which Burrow was able to find Andrei Iosivas for the TD. 17-10 Bengals at the half.
Cincinnati kept the momentum going on the flip side of the half, getting the ball to start. Chase Brown ripped off a 21 yard run, and Burrow then gave Kendric Pryor his first career catch on a 9 yarder. A pass interference call on the defence further advanced the ball, giving the Bengals 1st & goal at the 7. On 3rd down from the 2 yard line, Burrow was able to find Drew Sample for the TD. 24-10 Bengals.
With a 14 point lead, the ball kept on rolling Cincy’s way. Logan Wilson jumped on a fumble that had originated at the Vegas 45 yard line, but bounced all the way to the 31 before finally being scooped up. Wilson returned it another 10 yards to the Vegas 21. After they picked up a 1st down, Burrow hit Mike Gesicki for an 11 yard TD to put the Bengals up 31-10.
Both teams traded a couple of punts, but the Bengals then gave the Raiders a little life to cling to. Early in the 4th quarter, Burrow was looking for Chase on a screen pass. However, it was jumped by Jones, and returned to the house for a pick 6. This cut into the lead, making it 31-17.
The Raiders then got the ball back, looking to make it a one score game. Minshew was benched by this point, with Desmond Ridder now in at QB. Ridder led them into Cincinnati territory, but a Hendrickson sack on 3rd & 4 put them in a tough spot. Faced with a 4th & 12 situation on the Bengals 36 yard line, they kept the offence out there. However, they could not convert, and the Bengals defence got off the field, putting out this flame of momentum that had been burning for the Raiders in the final quarter.
Off of this turnover on downs, the Bengals put more points on the board. A bust in coverage led to Mike Gesicki being wide open. He made the catch and went 47 yards for the TD. The Bengals would add another field goal, with the Raiders then closing out the scoring with a garbage time TD from Ridder to Bowers from 22 yards out. 41-24 final.
The Bengals improve to 4-5 on the year, and get a tough divisional road matchup on Thursday Night Football coming up, as they head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens.
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