The Hangover: Bengals Sack Jets 27-12

For the first time in the 2022 season, the Bengals notch a tally in the win column.

Everyone exhale a sigh of relief.

That’s not to say things were perfect for Cincinnati, but it’s much better to know what things you need to improve on after a victory rather than a loss.

Let’s start with the good.

The Bengals had a sense of urgency, even for the coin toss. The Bengals went against their tendencies and opted to start on offense to begin the game.

It turned out to be a great choice. Clean pockets and a decisive Burrow were the name of the game on the first drive, ending with a 12 yard TD pass to Samaje Perine (should’ve been Higgins but whatever.)

The offense, for the most part, was better than in weeks past. In their first five offensive drives, the Bengals were able to put up 20 points and rack up 237 yards.

However, the following drives were less fruitful. The Bengals were only able to put up 7 points in the second half - a short field TD gifted to us by a strip sack from Trey Hendrickson. And after a quick 237 yards to begin the game, the Bengals finished with 330 yards of total offense.

The run game, once again, was pretty stagnant. Surprisingly when the run game was working, it wasn’t Mixon running downfield. It was Samaje Perine, especially on the Bengals final clock killing drive.

If the Bengals want to begin to win more consistently, the offense has to find ways to be productive all game and not function in spurts.

Another good: the defense was awesome. No touchdowns allowed (they haven’t allowed one in seven quarters by the way.) They stirred up four turnovers - two interceptions, one by Logan Wilson and the other by Jessie Bates, with two fumbles recovered by BJ Hill. Trey Hendrickson recorded three sacks and two strip sacks. Akeem Davis-Gaither, making his first start for injured veteran Germaine Pratt, led the team with 13 tackles. I thought Chido and Eli Apple had pretty strong games as well. Overall, Lou Anarumo and his squad were excellent once again.

Now let’s get down to the negative: Zac Taylor.

I firmly believe Coach Taylor is the weakest link on this Bengals squad. There are multiple head scratching moments each game with him.

For example, towards the end of the first half, the Bengals began their drive deep in their own territory. The Jets had three timeouts. Instead of making them use all of them on run plays, Taylor runs three pass plays which go nowhere, and allow the Jets to save all but one timeout. This helped the Jets have a short field to set up a field goal by Zuerlein to end the half. He essentially gifted the Jets three points because he had zero situational awareness.

Another example: on their second drive of the third quarter, the Bengals got into a fourth and one situation in Jets territory. Taylor tries to get the Jets to jump offsides to reset the sticks. They don’t budge. He burns an early timeout. At this point in the game, the score is 27-9 Bengals, and McPherson would have a field goal opportunity to make it a three touchdown advantage. Instead, they go for it and don’t get it. It’s just little stuff like that that makes me question his game management abilities.

Again, in order for the Bengals to consistently win, Zac Taylor needs to keep the juice in his play calling and find ways to be a smarter game manager.

I think Taylor has built a great culture in Cincinnati. We'd be nowhere close to where we are without him. And it’s hard to win in this league. But I think Zac Taylor makes it even harder.

Now, let’s look forward.

The Bengals have an Amazon prime opportunity to get to .500 against the surging Miami Dolphins Thursday night. It will be a stiff test on a short week against the only undefeated team in the AFC, who may or may not be without their starting QB Tua Tagovailoa. Still, the Dolphins have plenty of weapons on both sides of the ball that could give the Bengals fits.

Let’s hope they get their first win in Paycor Stadium with what is sure to be a rowdy, raucous and certainly drunk jungle crowd.

See you Friday (after I wake up from the dream that is the White Bengal uniform.)

P.S. Pray for DJ Reader. Thx.