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Dallas Co Farmers Exchange – Buffalo, Fair Grove, Urbana |
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10/12 18:59 CDT Bengals embrace an early bye after a win in Miami
Bengals embrace an early bye after a win in Miami
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
Zac Taylor wasn't happy when he first saw the Cincinnati Bengals' schedule and
noticed an early bye week.
However, the eighth-year coach is happier to have it coming up now after a
tough three-game stretch that included Sunday's 31-24 victory at Miami where
the temperature at the opening kickoff was 90 degrees with the trademark South
Florida high humidity.
"You kind of like it more toward Thanksgiving. But I do think just where our
team is right now and the way that these last three games have gone down to the
wire and guys playing through some stuff right now, it is a good time to get
our legs back underneath us," Taylor said. "The heat really does drain you to
where I'm sure it affects you the next week. So I'm happy our guys will be able
to recover and get their legs back under us and start getting ready for some
colder weather, which we're very familiar with and as the season gets going."
The bye week will be especially beneficial for wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and
Tee Higgins along with safety Bryan Cook. All three played against the Dolphins
but were not at 100 percent.
Chase, who came out of concussion protocol midway through last week, had six
receptions for 77 yards, including a highlight-reel 45-yard touchdown late in
the third quarter to extend the Bengals' lead to 28-10.
Higgins, who suffered a groin injury during the fourth quarter on Oct. 4
against Jacksonville, added two catches for 22 yards. Cook, who has been
hampered by ankle issues, was still effective with five tackles.
The Bengals go into the bye with a 3-2 record and one game behind the Ravens in
the AFC North. The teams have their first meeting of the season in Baltimore on
Oct. 25.
"I think we recognize some things that we're doing really well. And then
there's a couple things that are really easy to clean up," Taylor said. "So the
good news is it's not a concern that, oh man, this is unfixable. We got a real
problem here on this part of a scheme or a player. It's just a couple things
that we got to get cleaned up going into the next divisional game."
What's working Dohnte Meyers as the main kick returner. The offseason signing from the Canadian Football League returned the opening kickoff 81 yards and gave Burrow a short field to convert into a touchdown. His return average of 27.2 yards is ninth in the AFC.
What needs help Run defense. The Bengals are beginning to look like the unit that allowed a league-high 147.1 yards on the ground last season. After giving up only 74.5 yards in the first two games, Cincinnati has allowed 155.3 yards the past three weeks. Miami had 217 yards, including seven carries of at least 12 yards, and averaged 6.4 yards per attempt.
Stock up Safety Jordan Battle had the first two-interception game of his four-year career along with a quarterback pressure. Both picks came while the Bengals were in zone coverage.
Stock down RB Chase Brown is averaging only 2.2 yards per carry the past two games. He had 13 carries for 39 yards against the Dolphins and committed a fumble in the red zone after catching a 3-yard pass midway through the second quarter as the Bengals were driving for another score.
Key injuries Linebacker Swayze Bozeman broke his right forearm and was placed on injured reserve. Tight end Tanner Hudson has a pectoral issue that Taylor said they are gathering more information on before making a determination. Colbie Young (knee) and safety Kyle Dugger (quad) remain week to week.
Key numbers 18: Touchdown throws of at least 40 yards by Joe Burrow to Chase, the third most by any quarterback-receiver duo over the past 40 seasons. Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison lead the way with 21 and Steve Young and Jerry Rice combined for 20. 22: Consecutive field goals by Evan McPherson, a franchise record.
Up next The Bengals get an early bye week before visiting the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 25. It will be the first Sunday afternoon game the Bengals have had in Baltimore since 2021. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
What's working Dohnte Meyers as the main kick returner. The offseason signing from the Canadian Football League returned the opening kickoff 81 yards and gave Burrow a short field to convert into a touchdown. His return average of 27.2 yards is ninth in the AFC.
What needs help Run defense. The Bengals are beginning to look like the unit that allowed a league-high 147.1 yards on the ground last season. After giving up only 74.5 yards in the first two games, Cincinnati has allowed 155.3 yards the past three weeks. Miami had 217 yards, including seven carries of at least 12 yards, and averaged 6.4 yards per attempt.
Stock up Safety Jordan Battle had the first two-interception game of his four-year career along with a quarterback pressure. Both picks came while the Bengals were in zone coverage.
Stock down RB Chase Brown is averaging only 2.2 yards per carry the past two games. He had 13 carries for 39 yards against the Dolphins and committed a fumble in the red zone after catching a 3-yard pass midway through the second quarter as the Bengals were driving for another score.
Key injuries Linebacker Swayze Bozeman broke his right forearm and was placed on injured reserve. Tight end Tanner Hudson has a pectoral issue that Taylor said they are gathering more information on before making a determination. Colbie Young (knee) and safety Kyle Dugger (quad) remain week to week.
Key numbers 18: Touchdown throws of at least 40 yards by Joe Burrow to Chase, the third most by any quarterback-receiver duo over the past 40 seasons. Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison lead the way with 21 and Steve Young and Jerry Rice combined for 20. 22: Consecutive field goals by Evan McPherson, a franchise record.
Up next The Bengals get an early bye week before visiting the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 25. It will be the first Sunday afternoon game the Bengals have had in Baltimore since 2021. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
