The Bengals were in for a scare, as they would go down 21-3 late in the 1st half. With the defence showing no ability to stop Mahomes, and the offence working hard for their yards, things were looking bleak. However, there was no quit. The Bengals rallied in the second half, looking like a brand new team, to win the game in overtime.
The Good:
– CB, Eli Apple
You can question putting any defensive player in this list after how they played in the 1st half. Apple, like several others, had his moments to forget. However, he also made the play that just might have saved the game. It was the last play of the 1st half. Mahomes made a bad decision to throw the ball to Tyreek Hill right around the line of scrimmage. Already down 18 points, a TD on this play probably would have sealed it. But Apple was able to meet him outside the end zone and successfully make the tackle.
– DT, BJ HIll
Hill, like Apple, made a game changing play. In the second half, he was able to tip one of Mahomes’ passes, and then finish the play by picking it off. It set up the game tying TD.
– Safeties Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates
By now, the defensive struggles in the 1st half have probably been documented enough. But Bell and Bates, like the others, rebounded from a poor 1st half. Both made important plays as the team clawed back. They also teamed up to create the turnover in OT. Bates broke up the pass and Bell secured the INT.
– DE’s Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard
The two edge defenders were among the few players on defence who were consistent throughout the game.
Hendrickson proved to be tough to stop. He was constantly sniffing around in the first half, often just missing out. He turned it up a notch in the second, putting even more pressure on Mahomes. The QB’s comfort level dropped significantly as the game went on.
Hubbard also performed well. He had two sacks of his own, adding on to Hendrickson’s 1.5. The pressure on his end was more consistent in the 2nd half, where he also turned it up a notch. His best play came at the end of regulation. He was actually dropped into coverage, but as Mahomes sat longer and longer in the pocket, he decided to abandon his assignment and rush the QB. It resulted in a strip sack. Although the Bengals didn’t recover the fumble, it forced the Chiefs to kick a field goal.
– WR, Tee Higgins
Higgins went for over 100 yards on the day, largely aided by a big one to start the 2nd half. As the game wore on, his catches became more and more clutch. They were chain movers with a defender on his back. Burrow placed the ball high, keeping it away from the defender. Higgins did well to extend his arms and secure the ball at the catch point, and hold onto it after contact.
– RB, Samaje Perine
Down 21-3 with half time approaching, Perine got the ball rolling for the comeback. He took a screen pass 41 yards for the TD. He did well to make a man miss, and power through a tackle or two.
– WR, Ja’Marr Chase
Chase didn’t have his best statistical day, but it wasn’t bad either. Room was hard to find, especially early. He made some important catches late, however. Chase scored the TD that would tie the game. Coverage was tight in the end zone, but he was able to adjust to the back shoulder throw.He also deserves a lot of credit for his efforts as a blocker on the Perine TD. Make no mistake, it was a great play by Perine, but he probably doesn’t go all the way if not for Chase’s blocking.
– RB, Joe Mixon
Mixon had over 100 scrimmage yards and averaged over 4 yards per carry on the ground. His biggest contributions on the ground came towards the end of the game. Especially on the game winning drive when he was able to make the field goal a short one.
– K, Evan McPherson
McPherson was clutch once again. He was a perfect 4/4 on field goals and converted his only PAT attempt. One of his kicks was from 52 yards out and, on the game winner, he didn’t show any nerves.
– Halftime Adjustments
Have to give credit to the coaches. Zac Taylor, Brian Callahan, and Lou Anarumo. After getting manhandled in the 1st half, on both sides, they made good use of the break. The Bengals came out a new team, showing more explosiveness on offence and holding the best offence in the league to three 2nd half points.
– QB, Joe Burrow
It was an up and down game for Burrow, with a few bad decisions scattered around. However, it is his gutsy effort that gets him in. He faced pressure from the Chiefs and did well to get away, even when it seemed close to impossible. He would keep his eyes downfield, looking for a target, but took his space when he needed to, running for key 1st downs.
The Bad:
– Defence in the 1st Half
As good as the 2nd half performance was, the way they played in the 1st was unacceptable. The game script was similar to the first meeting between these two teams. Mahomes and their offence sliced through them like a hot knife on butter, en route to a 21-3 lead. They almost gave up 28 in the half, but luckily, a clutch play by Eli Apple on the final play prevented it.
– Right side of the OL
The right side of the OL continued to perform poorly. Adeniji was replaced by Carman for parts of it. Carman had some nice moments, but you still see the inconsistencies. Prince, meanwhile, continues to struggle at RT. They will have their hands full against the Rams in a week and a half, going up against pass rushers like Aaron Donald and Von Miller, among others.
– Slow start on offence
The offence has gotten off to too many slow starts this year. It happened in both Chiefs games, among others, before they turned it around in the 2nd. Red zone drives need to be converted into TD’s, as settling for field goals early could start to catch up to them.
Modified Homescreen Image Via: All-Pro Reels (CC)
