Desperation was starting to set in as the Bengals, coming off an embarrassing loss to the Titans. They were sitting at 1-3, with another loss having the potential to severely cripple the 2023 season. However, the Bengals came out strong on both sides. The Joe Burrow we saw on Sunday more closely resembled the QB we have come to know in Cincinnati. And the defence, although not perfect, made some clutch plays in important situations.
After some slow starts in the first few weeks, the Bengals started out about as good as you could have hoped in week 5. Back to back 3 and outs on defence was a great start on that side, while 10 points on the first two offensive drives was really a good sign. The field goal drive ended with the offence stalling out on the Arizona 22. The TD drive was impressive, featuring a lot of Mixon and Chase, with Irwin sprinkled in as well. It was capped off with a 2 yard TD pass from Burrow to Chase. Cincinnati got off to an early 10-0 lead on the road.
The home team didn’t lay down, however. Arizona responded with a long 75 yard drive, which lasted almost 4 and a half minutes. Dobbs completed several passes in the intermediate-deep range. It was a 25 yarder to Brown that ended the drive. 10-7 Bengals.
The Cardinals weren’t finished there. They forced a Bengal 3 and out, and then ended up with good field position following a good punt return and a 15 yard unnecessary roughness penalty. It took just over 2 minutes for them to find the endzone, as a 35 yard James Conner run put them deep in Cincy territory pretty quickly. Dobbs’ second TD pass of the game went to Zach Ertz. 14-10 Cardinals.
After each team went 3 and out once again, the Bengals went on a long drive. 13 plays and over 5 minutes off the clock. It was a very methodical drive, with plenty of quicker passes. They got down to the 1, in a 3rd & goal situation. But despite just needing a yard, they were unable to pick it up. Joe Mixon was stuffed twice, and the Bengals turned it over on downs.
Luckily, with the Cardinals feeling the pressure of being backed up near the goal line, a quick pass backfired. It was picked off by Cam Taylor-Britt, who took it to the house from 11 yards out. The Bengals had regained their lead, and took it with them into the half. 17-14.
Quick starts were the name of the game again in the 2nd half. The Bengals got the ball to start and wasted no time airing it out. On the third play of the drive, Burrow launched it — and I mean LAUNCHED — and hit Ja’Marr Chase in stride deep down the field. It went down as a 63 yard TD, and extended their lead. 24-14 Bengals.
But as I said in the 1st half, the Cardinals didn’t lay down. This one was very methodical, much like the Bengals final drive before the half. Mixed in with plenty of quick passes, was a 19 yard strike from Dobbs to McBride. They continued to march down the field, eventually ending up at the Cincinnati 11. From there, rookie UDFA Demercado was able to run it in for the TD. The Bengals lead was down to 4. 24-20, after Prater missed the extra point.
The Bengals next drive ended in an interception, but the defence came up clutch again, stopping Arizona on 4th & 1 at the Bengals 16 yard line.
Cincinnati made good use of that stop, finding the end zone once again. But even more impressive than the score, was the amount of clock they were able to chew off along with it. 15 plays, 83 yards, and almost 9 minutes off the clock. Just what you want when you are up two scores. A lot of runs and quick passes on this drive. Of note, Andrew Iosivas made his first career catch on this drive (Kwamie Lassiter also made his first career catch later in this game). A 3 yard pass from Burrow to Chase capped off the drive, and completed Chase’s hat trick. Cincinnati would go on to add another field goal afterwards. 34-20 final.
The Bengals improve to 2-3 on the season. Of note, the Steelers beat the Ravens, meaning both teams now sit at 3-2. Burrow and co. are back in the thick of it, and Burrow’s much improved mobility was very encouraging. After a couple of games on the road, the Bengals return home next week to take on the Seattle Seahawks.
Modified Homescreen Image Via: Eli Marshall