Analysis: Making the case for why the Bengals should start Samaje Perine over Joe Mixon
NASHVILLE – Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has a decision to make as he enjoys his flight home from Tennessee sitting at 7-4 on the year. It was a monster win for Taylor’s bunch and puts the Bengals in prime position to control their destiny and earn a spot in the playoffs.
Should the Bengals feature Samaje Perine over Joe Mixon as the No. 1 running back against the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday afternoon?
The answer is yes. Cincinnati is more efficient running the ball when Perine is getting the bulk of the carries. Look no further than the last two games – both of which resulted in wins for the Bengals – to understand the reasoning for this argument.
When asked following the game if there’s a scenario in which Taylor opts to ride Perine as featured back next week over Mixon, Cincinnati’s head coach didn’t rule the possibility out. Make of that what you want. If we’re reading between the lines here, Taylor had the chance to nix the possibility if he felt the thought was out of question. Instead, he left the door open.
“Samaje has always done a great job,” Taylor said. “Any time his number has been called. Mixon has done a great job when his number has been called. We’re looking for efficiency in our run game and we’ve got efficiency in our run whoever is carrying the football. I think that goes to show you the confidence we have in that stable of backs. And we’re going to need everyone to step up at different parts of the season and today Samaje did and Trayveon (Williams) did on his carries so I was pleased to see that from the running backs.”
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Mixon didn’t play in the second half against the Steelers in Week 10 due to a concussion. He didn’t practice once leading up to Sunday’s game against the Titans (7-4) and was ruled out to play ahead of the contest.
On 17 carries, Perine rushed for 58 yards. The team rushed for 108 yards, only the fourth time they’ve hit the 100-yards mark on the ground this season. This argument is not based off total rushing yards, per se. It’s about Perine’s productivity on first and second down running the ball, his ability to make plays as a pass-catcher and his pass-blocking skills.
The Bengals have shown week in and out when they fall behind the chains on first and second down they struggle when facing third-and-long situations. They are a better offense, like every NFL team, when they stay on schedule.
Perine gives the Bengals their best chance to do that. Three things are important to consider when evaluating the productivity of a running back: How many of the runs result in positive yards, how many runs/catches convert to first downs and scoring plays.
Six of Perine’s 21 total touches resulted in either a first down or a scoring play and only four resulted in negative plays for the Bengals. He averaged 4.4 yards per touch against the Titans. What’s important to note about his average per touch is that NFL coaches use four yards as the measure for a positive run.
Mixon is averaging 60.5 yards per game, which ranks No. 17 in the NFL, and 3.8 yards per carry. Perine is averaging 44 yards per game over a two-game period as the featured back.
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Perine, 27, has made the most of his opportunities in the NFL after being drafted in the fourth round out of Oklahoma by the Washington Commanders in 2017. He was a fourth-round draft pick that started eight games in his rookie season.
The Bengals picked up Perine in 2019 and he played in six games for Cincinnati before they waived him and then re-signed him to the practice squad. Perine then enjoyed a quick stint with the Miami Dolphins before he returned to Cincinnati in 2020 and has been with the Bengals since.
One of the most respected players in the locker room for his play on special teams and serving as the main third-down running back for the Bengals in 2021, he’s earned an even bigger role this season.
“He’s stepped up all year,” center Ted Karras said of his teammate. “He’s an excellent blocker if you go back and look at the film. But today and in the last two weeks, he’s been phenomenal. Hitting the hole hard. I wouldn’t want to tackle him.”
Perine’s 17 carries was the most he’s had since his rookie season. When asked how it felt, he said it was “fun” to get in a rhythm and produce for his team.
Joe Burrow offers praise for Samaje Perine
“He just runs so hard,” Burrow said. “I don't know what his stats were, but I think he had to be close to 100, I think. But he just continues to make the best of his opportunities. I am so happy for him to get the chance and continue to make the most out of it.”
As far as if Perine thinks he could succeed as the Bengals’ featured back moving forward, he downplayed the question and acknowledged his role for the team.
And what that will be next week remains one of the most intriguing decisions Taylor will make this season.
“That ain’t got nothing to do with me,” Perine said. “It’s unfortunate (Joe Mixon) got hurt and I hope he comes back soon. I just went out and did what I had to do to help this team win. Obviously, we miss him out there and we can’t wait until he’s back. Until then, I’ll hold the fort down.”
Why Samaje Perine stepping up is the best-case scenario for the Bengals and why it’s a delicate situation
The Bengals are in the middle of the most critical part of their season and need all hands on deck to earn a playoff spot.
So, look at the running back situation this way:
Perine stepping up has helped the Bengals secure two wins – that’s the now part of this argument. What could happen as a result would be an even bigger positive for Cincinnati and that is it motivates Mixon. A healthy, motivated Mixon has proven to be one of the league’s best running backs.
That’s the best-case scenario for Taylor and the Bengals as they enter the month of December with two running backs playing at a high level.
But when making the decision on who will get more touches in the game, there’s a lot more that goes into the decision for Taylor.
Mixon is one of the most beloved players in the Bengals’ locker room and he’s a team captain. He is also coming off his best professional campaign and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021. If his workload shrinks, it will be a major change for Mixon. Communication will be the biggest key here between Taylor and Mixon if there’s a change.
There’s certainly a chance the Bengals continue to “start Mixon for the optics but give Perine more carries and feature him as the lead back.
Regardless of what Taylor decides, the Bengals’ running backs room could look very different next season. Both Perine and Mixon are above 25 years and old and the team could and should get a younger back on the roster. The hope for Chris Evans to be something for the Bengals is dwindling. There will be plenty of time to discuss this topic in the offseason, though.
For now, the Bengals are on a three-game winning streak and one of the biggest reasons why is the improved run game. Thanks to players like Perine.