Analysis: What we learned from Bengals win over the Jets
The Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) recorded their first win of the season as they defeated the New York Jets (1-3) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Heading into the game, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and head coach Zac Taylor emphasized the need to start faster. Check.
The Bengals defense said they needed to create turnovers. Check.
All in all, the Bengals dominated the Jets from the opening kick and looked like the 2021 version of themselves that everyone hoped to see. Taylor said following the game, he didn’t care what the game looked like as long as his team won.“We just need to rip that Band-Aid off and get that first win.”
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So, lets’ talk more about the key reasons the Bengals were able to beat the Jets:
Turnovers started to fall the Bengals way and this unit looks like a top-10 defense
Cincinnati’s defense forced three fumbles and picked Joe Flacco off twice in the win. It was the performance the unit was looking for. Linebacker Logan Wilson’s interception was one of the most impressive plays of the day and safety Jessie Bates’ interception sealed the game.
“We were just in a Cover 2-type defense,” Wilson said. “I was the middle runner and I saw I got a seem route from No. 10. With him being vertical, I had to stay vertical. I peeked back at the quarterback and he ended up throwing it and I just happened to make the play. Pretty much right play at the right time.”
Wilson said that was one of his better interceptions and it’s hard to argue against him. The Bengals’ third-round pick out of Wyoming now has recorded six interceptions in the last two seasons (postseason combined) with 15 games to go this season. The Bengals found a gem in Wilson, to say the least.
Bates said Cincinnati’s ability to get pressure up front on Joe Flacco helped force the turnovers. Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson was a game-changer for the Bengals recording 2.5 sacks and forcing two fumbles.
“It’s good when the pass rushers get three sacks and start forcing fumbles,” Bates said. “That’s when the interceptions will start coming. People will try and chip Trey, Sam and all of those guys up front and us as defensive backs, we have to try and intercept the ball. It’s definitely a team thing.”
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s defense is allowing 18.3 points per game through three weeks.
Bengals take ‘aggressive’ approach on offense and it pays off
Whether the Bengals were going to beat the Jets or not was going to come down to if the offense could get off to a fast start.
In both of Cincinnati’s losses this season, the offense has been playing from behind. This offense isn’t set up for success necessarily to do so.
Burrow led the Bengals down the field after winning the coin toss and electing to start with the ball. Cincinnati’s opening drive was an 11 play, 5:25 minute and 75-yard scoring drive that ended in a 12-yard pass from Burrow to running back Samaje Perine.
“We came out aggressive and it paid off for us,” Burrow said following the game. “We put seven on the board and then came right back and scored again.”
Burrow finished the day throwing 23 completions for 275 yards and three touchdowns. He also had zero turnovers which is something he’s been trying to cut down on since Week 1. Wide receivers Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins both had big days as they combined for 198 yards and one touchdown. Higgins would have scored a touchdown on his statline had the referees overturned their call on his controversial catch in the end zone. When asked if he believes his catch showed have been ruled a touchdown, Higgins smiled before he then responded.“I got robbed,” Higgins said with a laugh.
Joe Mixon and DJ Reader injury updates something to watch ahead of Thursday Night Football
Joe Mixon didn’t take the field with the Bengals’ offense for much of the fourth quarter. When asked why, Taylor said his Pro Bowl running back is dealing with a sore ankle.With Mixon on the sideline and Perine taking the bulk of the carries, the Bengals’ rushing offense was more effective. Perine led the Bengals on the ground with 47 yards on nine carries compared to Mixon’s 24 yards on 12 carries. The Bengals rank No. 20 in the NFL in rushing yards per game (90.0) and based off how Mixon’s ankle feels, might rely more on Perine on Thursday when the Bengals take on the Miami Dolphins (3-0). It’s a quick turnaround for the Bengals and Taylor and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan have to feel good about the production they got from Perine against the Jets if the team decides to split up the workload more in the future.
Another key injury for the Bengals that took place was to defensive tackle DJ Reader who is arguably having the best season of his career. Reader injured his knee and was ruled out to return to the game. When asked about the severity of Reader's injury, Taylor said he’s waiting on more information. If the Bengals were to lose Reader for some time, it would be a significant lose to their defense. Stay tuned.
“Hopefully it’s better than not,” Taylor said.