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It was a whirlwind game for the Bengals against the Buccaneers on Sunday, as they relented what was once a 21-point lead. Even so, there were a bunch of major contributors in the team’s 37-34.
We’ve got a couple of different awards than usual, so cast your vote and sound off on your winners in each!
Offensive MVP
This award is pretty obvious—it goes to the biggest contributor on the offensive side of the ball. In the first half, Cincinnati had quite a few big plays from some of their biggest stars.
Andy Dalton: Though the offense hit a major lull in the second half, Dalton had a pretty solid game. He threw for 280 yards, two touchdowns and didn’t commit a turnover. He also led his 24th game-winning drive in his career, as he led the team down for the winning field goal as time expired.
A.J. Green: The star wideout had a slow beginning to the game, but did have a critical, highlight-reel touchdown catch in the first half. He was also Dalton’s go-to guy in crunch time, securing two big catches for 34 yards to set Randy Bullock up for a manageable field goal attempt.
Joe Mixon: Like the rest of the offense, Mixon trailed off in the second half, but had an absolutely superb first half. He finished with 123 rushing yards on 21 carries (a 5.9 average) and two touchdowns. He also added three receptions for 15 yards.
Per ESPN Stats & Info: Joe Mixon's 114 rushing yards are the most in the 1st half by any player this season and most by a Bengal in a 1st half since Cedric Benson in 2008. Mixon is the 2nd player w/ 100 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs in a half this season along with Alvin Kamara
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) October 28, 2018
Tyler Boyd: This kid has to be in consideration for Offensive MVP through the first half of the season. Without Dalton having John Ross, Tyler Eifert and Tyler Kroft at his disposal, Boyd has become a favorite target of Dalton’s through the first eight games. Sunday afternoon was no exception, as Boyd notched nine receptions for 138 yards and a score.
Poll
Who gets your vote for the Bengals’ Offensive MVP in Week 8?
This poll is closed
-
18%
Andy Dalton
(51 votes) -
5%
A.J. Green
(15 votes) -
36%
Joe Mixon
(101 votes) -
39%
Tyler Boyd
(109 votes) -
0%
Other
(2 votes)
Defensive MVP
Cincinnati’s defense collapsed in the second half, but they did net four turnovers and five sacks on the afternoon. Which defender had the biggest impact?
Carlos Dunlap: Though the defense faltered quite a bit, Dunlap had a nice afternoon. He logged two sacks, three tackles-for-loss and five total tackles.
Jessie Bates III: The kid is a bit of a gambler, but has still made some “wow” plays in his rookie season. One such play was a pick-six of Jameis Winston in the third quarter, which ended up making a huge difference in what became a tight game. He also had six total tackles and three defended passes.
Shawn Williams: The veteran safety made a big play early on when he intercepted Winston in the end zone. He also had three defended passes and seven total tackles on the afternoon.
Jordan Evans: The youngster had a breakout game on Sunday against the Bucs. He had 1.5 sacks, an interception and led the team in tackles with 11. The linebacker corps was thin this week, so it was good to see the second-year guy make some big plays.
Poll
Who gets your vote for the Bengals’ Defensive MVP in Week 8?
This poll is closed
-
17%
Carlos Dunlap
(46 votes) -
55%
Jessie Bates III
(147 votes) -
3%
Shawn Williams
(8 votes) -
22%
Jordan Evans
(60 votes) -
1%
Other
(3 votes)
Unsung Hero of the Week
This award is for players whose contributions go overlooked and/or for those who step up in the wake of injury and/or ineffectiveness.
Sam Hubbard: The youngster had some ups and downs in the contest, but also came through on some occasions. He had an increase in snaps because of an injury to Carl Lawson, but made the most of some of them. Hubbard finished had a sack and five total tackles.
Geno Atkins: Though big No. 97 failed to make the stat sheet in the “wow” categories, but still made a big impact. On a couple of occasions, Atkins opened up pressure opportunities for others, while also forcing three holding penalties.
Preston Brown: Cincinnati’s defense really took their foot off of the gas pedal—especially when Ryan Fitzpatrick entered the game—but Brown played well early. He had seven total tackles and an interception.
Jordan Franks: The undrafted rookie free agent was called up this week with injuries to Tyler Eifert and Tyler Kroft. And, when C.J. Uzomah also briefly left the game, the Bengals were left with Franks and Matt Lengel. Franks had a huge 32-yard catch, his only of the afternoon, on the team’s first scoring drive of the day.
Randy Bullock: The veteran kicker missed a huge extra point, but greatly atoned for the miss at the last second. He was called upon to make a 44-yard field goal to win the game and he nailed it in a swirling wind. He had seven points in the game.
Poll
Who gets your vote for the Bengals’ Week 8 Unsung Hero of the Week?
This poll is closed
-
23%
Sam Hubbard
(59 votes) -
23%
Geno Atkins
(59 votes) -
8%
Preston Brown
(20 votes) -
40%
Randy Bullock
(100 votes) -
4%
Other
(11 votes)
Dud of the Week
William Jackson: It’s been a disappointing campaign for Jackson, who officially stepped into a bigger starting role this year. Most pundits said he’d be ready for a breakout campaign in 2018, but he struggled a bit on Sunday, allowing a 60-yard touchdown to DeSean Jackson.
Dre Kirkpatrick: The veteran corner had a couple of nice plays in Week 8, but overall, he struggled mightily against Mike Evans. He was tasked with covering Evans, but the star wide receiver led all pass-catchers in Week 8 with 179 yards, on six catches and a touchdown reception.
Bobby Hart: The team’s right tackle was having trouble with Jason Pierre-Paul on Sunday, even though the pass-rusher moved around a bit. Still, Pierre-Paul had two sacks of Andy Dalton on Sunday.
Poll
Who gets your vote for the Bengals’ Week 8 Dud of the Week?
This poll is closed
-
17%
William Jackson
(41 votes) -
59%
Dre Kirkpatrick
(139 votes) -
18%
Bobby Hart
(43 votes) -
3%
Other
(9 votes)
Lineman of the Week
Geno Atkins: Unfortunately for interior linemen, they don’t always get the recognition that others receive for their contributions. Atkins was a force on Sunday for other reasons, but only logged one assisted tackle.
Carlos Dunlap: As mentioned above, Dunlap had a monster game. He had two sacks, three tackles-for-loss and five total tackles.
Cordy Glenn: On more than one occasion, Glenn was seen pulling on some of the biggest runs of the afternoon. He also allowed minimal pressure, as it was Hart who allowed Pierre-Paul get his two sacks in the contest.
Clint Boling: When Boling was available in the first half, the offense was totally clicking. However, when he was forced out of playing with a back injury, the offense not-so-coincidentally stopped being effective.
Poll
Who gets your vote for the Bengals’ Week 8 Lineman of the Week?
This poll is closed
-
12%
Geno Atkins
(29 votes) -
49%
Carlos Dunlap
(111 votes) -
23%
Cordy Glenn
(54 votes) -
10%
Clint Boling
(23 votes) -
3%
Other
(9 votes)