Bengals Stock Report: The team rallied after disastrous Browns game
On Halloween night, the Cincinnati Bengals were to play the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football. Into the stadium arrived Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns transcendent defensive end, fully disguised as Vecna, the fearsome creature who serves as the primary antagonist in the most recent season of Stranger Things.
On the popular Netflix series, Vecna tormented his victims with his curse. On this Monday Night, it was Garrett who tormented Joe Burrow and the Bengals, cursing them in the form of 1.5 sacks and six quarterback pressures. The Bengals and their fans probably felt like they were in the Upside Down.
The rejuvenated Bengals offense, which had put up nearly 900 yards of offense and 65 points combined in the previous two games, went scoreless for three quarters. The Bengals defense, which hadn’t given up a second half touchdown through seven games, gave up three touchdowns in that second half alone. Our heroes in tiger stripes had, once again, reached another precipice in the 2022 season. It was a catastrophic loss to the cross-state division rival on national television, for all the world to see.
Thankfully, Joe Mixon arrived the next week against Carolina. Like fan favorite Eddie Munson, the emergent hero from the same Stranger Things season, Mixon essentially showed up with his amp and electric guitar and delivered a raucous heavy metal performance for the ages that put Vecna back in his place. There are definitely a lot of ups and downs in this edition of the Bengals Stock Report.
Stock Up:
Joe Mixon. Against the Carolina Panthers, Mixon entered the Bengals record books by establishing a new franchise record for touchdowns in a single game. Mixon found the endzone five times, four times on the ground and once through the air. Held below 100 yards rushing in all eight games to begin the season, Mixon finally returned to form with 153 yards rushing on 22 carries (averaging seven yards per carry). One of the emotional leaders of the team, Mixon was back to usual self, dancing in the end zone and signaling first downs in dramatic style. If the Bengals are going to make a second half run again this season, this is the version of Joe Mixon they need.
Playing the NFC South. The Bengals are 0-3 in their own division, the AFC North; however, they are a dominant 3-0 against the NFC South. It’s not hard to argue that their three best performances this season have come against the South’s Saints, Falcons and Panthers. They have scored an average of 35 points per game against those teams versus an average of just 20 points per game against the remaining schedule. In two of those wins, they were so dominant they even had the luxury of resting starters early. If you are looking for a future road game to travel to, perhaps consider their remaining NFC South opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ted Karras. Free Agent acquisition Ted Karras was named a Bengals captain before the season, not having yet played a game for the organization. That’s how much respect Karras earned from his teammates in the offseason. Karras has had a solid season thus far. He’s given up only one sack, which is tied for second in the league at his position. But it’s been his leadership and energy that has been just as valuable. After the horrendous Browns loss, Karras was interviewed in the locker room and said, “I’m going to be a demeanor hound. I don’t want to see any sulking. I’m going to be on people (this week).” He apparently was. Following their worst loss of the season and on a short week, the Bengals came out with energy and ran the ball with authority behind their O-Line to claim a 35-0 lead. When Mixon scored his fourth touchdown of the first half, he gave the ball to Karras to spike. What does that tell you?
Stock Down:
Health. Let’s face it: The Bengals lived a charmed life last year when it came to injuries. They didn’t have any major injuries to any of their key players last season. Not the case this year. Ja’Marr Chase, their most dominant offensive weapon, is expected to be gone for four-to-six weeks. D.J. Reader, the anchor of the Bengals defensive front, has been out since week 3. Perhaps the most devastating loss is Chidobe Awuzie, who was lost for the season with an ACL injury sustained during the loss to Cleveland. Awuzie was playing at an All-Pro level at a premier position. His performance and leadership really can’t be replaced. This edition of the Bengals is going to have to overcome the obstacle of injuries that they didn’t have to face last season.
Good Beginnings. The Bengals have lost four times this season. Here is how they started those games: Trailed 17-3 to the Steelers, trailed 17-3 to the Cowboys, trailed 10-0 to the Ravens, trailed 25-0 to the Browns. In three of those games, they essentially clawed all the way back to nearly win the game. They also trailed the Saints 17-7 but came back to win in the game’s final minutes. The Bengals will not be successful if they continue to spot their opponents these large leads.
Jonah Williams. The Bengals left offensive tackle leads the league in sacks allowed with nine. The Bengals offensive line continues to be a liability against opponents with elite pass rushers and Williams is the main reason why. Williams is signed for another season but don’t be surprised if the Bengals spend a high draft pick on his potential replacement.
Prime-time Games on the Road. When it comes to prime-time contests away from home, the Bengals are like the original Saturday Night Live cast. They are the “Not Ready for Prime Time Players.” The Bengals have lost their last 12 prime-time games on the road, including 0-2 this year against the Ravens and Browns. Since 2000, the Bengals have the worst winning percentage in prime-time road games (4.0%) of any team in the NFL. They’ve won just one road game in 25 contests during that span. You could almost say they are cursed. Getting back to where we started, is it Vecna’s Curse?
In the two weeks ahead, the Bengals have a bye then they do battle against the hated Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers game is on the road … in prime time. Will the curse continue? Or will the Bengals feed Mixon for another tour-de-force rock ‘n’ roll symphony that will drown out the dreaded curse? I say the latter. I also say “Who-Dey?!”
Jon Bunch is an avid life-long Bengals fanatic. Raised in the 740. West Pointer, Army and Iraq War veteran. Passionate evangelist of the Who-Dey spirit. @WhoDeyBunch
