The Bengals were back at it in a primetime Monday Night matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Sitting at 0-2, a win was needed in order to begin the turn around after a rough start to the season. Complicating things was the status of star QB Joe Burrow. Nursing a calf injury, he was a game time decision, but he ended up getting the start and gutted it out for the duration of the game.
The Bengals offence opened the game pass heavy, but those passes were of the shorter variety. Still, they managed to gain some traction and advance the ball into Rams territory. It was an encouraging sign, given Burrow’s injury. However, the drive ended with a 56 yard field goal attempt, which McPherson missed wide left.
With good starting field position, the Rams themselves were able to march into Cincinnati territory. The Bengals defence looked shaky early on, and the Rams seemed to open the scoring on a Tutu Atwell end around TD. However, video review revealed that he had stepped out before getting into the endzone. Back on the field with a second chance, the defence came to life. DJ Reader penetrated the interior and got home to sack Matthew Stafford. The Rams had to settle for a field goal, and an early 3-0 lead.
After both teams stalled out on their next drives, the Bengals again showed some positive signs on offence. Positive in this context is relative, given the situation with Burrow. But it was good to see them move the ball. Chase got involved, and Joe Mixon got several touches. Still, like the opening drive, it ended in a field goal attempt. This one was from 49 yards out, and was good, leveling the score up at 3.
The Rams responded with a nice drive of their own. Stafford hit on two straight intermediate passes to Nacua and Higbee, respectively, before then completing a 37 yard pass to Atwell. The Bengals defence was again bending. However, again, deep in their own territory, they found ways to shut them down. Maher was sent out for his second field goal attempt. He converted from 23 yards out, restoring the Rams 3 point lead. 6-3.
Both teams then traded punts and, at one point, the Bengals were unable to capitalize on a Logan Wilson interception. However, they did make sure to escape into the half all evened up. McPherson’s 53 yard attempt was good, and they went into the break tied at 6.
Out of the break, the Bengals defence bent yet again. And again, they were able to clamp down deep in their own territory. While some deeper completions plagued them earlier on in this drive, pressure from the defensive line and a Hendrickson sack forced the Rams into another field goal attempt. This attempt was successful, and the Rams took a 9-6 lead.
That lead, however, was short lived, as the Bengals went on their best offensive drive of the game. Joe Mixon set the tone with a 13 yard run to start things off. Then, a couple of completions to Chase, and one to Higgins, further advanced the ball. They continued to drive down the field, eventually ending up at the Rams 14 yard line. From there, Joe Mixon took the hand off all the way to the house for the TD. With that, the Bengals took a 13-9 lead.
The Bengals would further extend their lead with two more field goals, from 48 and 54 yards, respectively. Down 19-9, the Rams did score a late TD to cut the lead down to 3. But needing an onside kick recovery, they were unable to find success. Maher’s kick was recovered and held onto by Mitchell Wilcox, sealing the Bengals first victory of the season. 19-16 final.
The Bengals improve to 1-2 on the season, sitting only 1 game back of the 2-1 Ravens and Browns in the AFC North race. They will travel to Tennessee next week to take on the Titans.
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