Bengals Lose Another Nailbiter in Last Second FG

Date: Monday September 19, 2022

Writer: Anthony Iles

The Bengals headed to Dallas where they would face backup QB Rush who is a 5
year veteran and knows the Dallas offense. Question would be for the Bengals
how would they do on offense in the first couple quarters???

In the first half Dallas scored 7 on their first drive and the Bengals got
3. New long snapper Adomitis played in his first NFL game and played fantastic
as LS. At the end of the first quarter Dallas got a TD putting them up 14-3
into the second quarter. Dallas D is a top 12 defense in the league and they
showed it just like Steelers did last game. They played Cover 2 (aka Tampa 2)
to try and prevent deep passes. Burrow had to get the ball out fast and
complete short passes. He was sacked 4 times in the first half. I believe 2 of
them were his fault because as he moved around in the pocket each of those time
he had chances to throw it away and not be hit. If hit it would then be
roughing the passer. It made it look like the offensive line was struggling bad
but when looking back it is all about the split second decision. Joe did a good
job at moving around faster in the pocket this game. Joe Mixon was able to set
a tone the whole game and ran well which helped create play action passes.

In the second half Bengals are down 17 – 3 but start with the ball. They did
nothing on the first drive but with the adjustments made on their offense and
defensive schemes you could tell things were getting better. Bengals got in FG
range and made 2 FGs in the 3rd quarter and defense shut down the Cowboys to
zero points in the 3rd quarter. Down 17-9 going into the fourth the Bengals
defense suffocated the Cowboys causing them to punt and had a turnover with a
forced fumble and recovery by the Bengals. Bengals offense got into great
rhythm as they methodically moved down the field in the 4th quarter taking up
8:54 minutes and having 19 plays to score a TD and then convert a two point
conversion to tie the game with about a minute left in the game. Dallas got the
ball and were able to get to the other 40 yard line and kick a 50 yard FG to
win the game. It almost missed and we would have had a second straight game in
OT. Joe was sacked 3 more times in the second half making it 7 sacks total.
Burrow had 0 turnovers in this game.

It stinks to lose like this when you battle back and for the second straight
game able to tie at the end of the fourth quarter. New TE Hurst has played
fantastic and is a great fir for the offense. Offensive line now has 8 quarters
together. They are slowly getting better. If you look at the 3rd and 4th
quarter of this game they have made many strides compared to last week. This
new line shows they can pound it running the ball. With passing they are
learning little things and protection schemes. Look for game 3 to be a much
better complete game by the offensive line as they face the Jets next week.

Last year Bengals went 3-2 in their first 5 games and 5-4 in their first 9
games. This season we might start out 0-2 (could be 1-1 or 2-0) but they are
games we had a chance to win and nothing has been a blowout. It is fixing some
little things that will help in the long run to have them get on a win streak.
The games the Bengals have before the bye week are the Jets (away), Dolphins
(home), Ravens (away), Saints (away), Falcons (home), Browns (away), and
Panthers (home). Bengals can easily be 5-4 before the bye week. I think they
will be 6-3 by the bye week and in a great position to make the second half
push to win the AFC North and get a solid playoff position. Goal is 10 or 11
wins and to win AFC North. But you need the 10 or 11 wins to get a spot in the
playoffs. It is a lot of hard work to get to that point. With Joe B and company
there is no doubt in my mind that they can’t get there and then in the playoffs
Joe B will once again have this Bengals group make another run to the Super
Bowl.

Who Dey!!!