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It comes as no surprise as the Bengals lose to the Patriots this week. What was surprising was how long Cincinnati stuck around. It took a second half meltdown for New England to really pull away. The defense showed some spunk, and Bengals’ fans got a look at the future during the pregame.
Bengals quick start
Cincinnati started off by taking the lead against New England. They even scored their first opening drive touchdown of the season. The touchdown was also setup by an outstanding Joe Mixon run that will undoubtedly be in his highlight reel for years to come. It wasn’t the start that anyone would’ve predicted, but it certainly helps prove that head coach Zac Taylor has the team headed in the right direction.
JOE MIXON BEAST MODE pic.twitter.com/ZRUuBT0l3p
— Elite Andy Dalton (@EvilAndyDalton) December 15, 2019
8 straight runs and then a first-career TD for TE Cethan Carter. #Bengals with an impressive opening drive.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) December 15, 2019
That was easily the Bengals' most impressive drive on the season.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) December 15, 2019
#Bengals figured out how to solve their red zone woes: Throw it to Cethan Carter (apparently).
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 15, 2019
Touchdown Cethan Carter. Bengals had a fun drive. Stayed out of 11 personnel and kept flexing their TEs outside.
— Jeaux Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 15, 2019
Cethan Carter's last TD in a real game was
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) December 15, 2019
9-24-2016
Nebraska @ Northwestern
#WhoDey from up top! @Bengals #NOBLOW4JOE pic.twitter.com/uvjhgBcDFr
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) December 15, 2019
not now mom pic.twitter.com/wiwwckAscv
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) December 15, 2019
First time this season the #Bengals scored a TD on their opening drive.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) December 15, 2019
Why making people miss is important
— Jeaux Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 15, 2019
Scripted Bengals rolling. We'll see if it keeps when that runs out. Exciting either way.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) December 15, 2019
I love that this is the reaction the moment the Bengals do anything positive in any game this month. https://t.co/sdqEV24xcT
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 15, 2019
1st TD hair on point #SeizeTheDEY #NEvsCIN@EvilAndyDalton pic.twitter.com/BmsXDmNER2
— K (@7DustKat73) December 15, 2019
Nice use of TEs on Bengals’ opening drive. We wanted more Tyler Eifert in the red zone and he was used as a big decoy to open things up for Cethan Carter. Good play design and read by Andy Dalton. pic.twitter.com/FOnGFU8Qlt
— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) December 15, 2019
Putting pressure on the Pats
The Bengals defense seemed to continue their defensive dominance early in the game against the Patriots. After they took a punch t the face with New England scoring on the opening drive, they settled down and held the Patriots to a modest first half. The key to that defensive surge? The defensive line routinely getting in Brady’s face.
Per NFL Next Gen, Bengals' pass rush has been credited with four pressures on 18 NE dropbacks.
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 15, 2019
Carlos Dunlap has spent a fair amount of time talking to the Patriots bench today.
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) December 15, 2019
Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap proof that NFL is a collection of matchups. 1-12 or not, that pass rush duo can ruin Patriots’ day
— Tim Whelan Jr. (@thattimwhelan) December 15, 2019
#Bengals pass rush is getting home. Carl Lawson and Carlos Dunlap, in particular, having success in the first quarter.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 15, 2019
Carl Lawson with two QB hits so far
— Jeaux Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 15, 2019
HERE COMES HUBBARD @Sam_Hubbard_ | #SeizeTheDEY pic.twitter.com/XYPIpgBh1L
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 15, 2019
Bengals bring four rushers on fourth down, end up sacking Tom Brady. Give Sam Hubbard credit for that one off the edge.
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 15, 2019
San Hubbard now joins the party and comes down with a sack of Tom Brady on third and long. Bengals pass rush continues to be effectively, more importantly, defense on early downs putting them in position to go after TB12.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 15, 2019
That's why Lawson is so important. Getting Hubbard inside and then running those T-E stunts.
— Jeaux Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 15, 2019
And just like that, Dunlap takes the team sack lead back. 6.5 for him. 3.5 more for Geno Atkins to talk.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) December 15, 2019
Officially 5 QB hits for the #Bengals on Brady so far
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) December 15, 2019
Carlos Dunlap has been among the best edge players in the league in the second half of the season and it continues today as he gets his first sack after creating some pressures
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) December 15, 2019
Bengals O-line is outperforming New England's O-line. Who would've thought...
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) December 15, 2019
Prior to the game @PFF_Bengals mentioned Carlos Dunlap's recent hot streak. https://t.co/PvUQ2l8c0T
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) December 15, 2019
Dalton’s meltdown
Bengals’ fans are very familiar with Dalton’s meltdowns at this point. He has been able to avoid having his extremely low lows at this point in his career. However, this game was a pretty nice throwback (or behind) for him. With the game in striking distance, Dalton threw two picks that led to 14 points for the Patriots. He added a third on when the Bengals were marching down the field by throwing a jump ball up for Alex Erickson.
Cincinnati looked competitive on the offensive and defensive side of the ball all day, and they were going blow for blow with the Patriots, but Dalton’s performance lost them this game. It only helps make Cincinnati’s decision in the draft that much easier.
Let's see Joe Burrow do this pic.twitter.com/L5V6uPQ15X
— Elite Andy Dalton (@EvilAndyDalton) December 15, 2019
And then threw it directly into Gilmore's gut
— Jeaux Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 15, 2019
Stephon Gilmore ran Tyler Boyd's route for him and Andy Dalton threw it right to the Patriots cornerback.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) December 15, 2019
“boyd’s not getting targeted because gilmore’s on hi-“
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) December 15, 2019
Explain the decision to throw the ball there to me, please. pic.twitter.com/6mgflP8ZSR
— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) December 15, 2019
Coffin nails ⚰️ pic.twitter.com/rJQQICiUBw
— Bengals-Talk.com (@BengalsTalk) December 15, 2019
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) December 15, 2019
DOL-LE-GA-LA
— Santori Miles (@santori_miles) December 15, 2019
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) December 15, 2019
You shouldn't have needed a reminder, but this is why the coaches threw up their hands and went to Ryan Finley.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) December 15, 2019
All that matters pic.twitter.com/Mq57VM3wma
— Waldo Roren (@Waldo_Roren) December 15, 2019
Dalton pick 6 and you can put this one in ice.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) December 15, 2019
Dalton pick 6. Ball just had no juice at all and my son, Stephon Gilmore, makes him pay again.
— Jeaux Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 15, 2019
Dalton is ass . He actually thought he could sneak that by Gilmore
— Deys of our Bengals (@BengalSadness) December 15, 2019
A look at Gilmore's pick six. Had a great read on what Andy Dalton wanted and picked up the easy INT. pic.twitter.com/xwCr7R66c8
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 15, 2019
I never thought I'd say this, but Dalton needs to stop throwing to Boyd
— Nick Manchester (@NickManchester9) December 15, 2019
People still want Chase Young?
— President of John Ross fanclub (@PatrickJudis) December 15, 2019
If you want the Dalton era to end you shouldn't want him to look this bad. Crushing his trade value.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) December 15, 2019
Bengals are currently outgaining the Pats by 40 yards and are down by 17.
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 15, 2019
Dalton's 11th career game with at least 3 picks.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) December 15, 2019
Make that four interceptions for Andy Dalton. Today definitely didn't help his case to be a starter for an NFL team in 2020.
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 15, 2019
Jokes on film
It is no secret the Patriots got in trouble for recording the Bengals’ sideline headed into this game, and several fans and writers were ready to fire off a few jabs related to that. Here are the best of the best in that regard.
Surprised Pats didn't have this script on film.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) December 15, 2019
so many drops you’d think the bengals’ revenge was inflating the balls
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) December 15, 2019
How ironic pic.twitter.com/lzVU76wk4x
— Troy Cornes (@troycornes) December 15, 2019
#Patriots made that look easy .. almost like they knew what the #Bengals were doing on defense .. Brady 23-yard swing pass to White and two missed tackles give New England a 7-0 lead
— Richard Skinner (@Local12Skinny) December 15, 2019
A taste of the future
Something happened prior to the game that many Bengals fans were excited/nervous about. Heisman winning quarterback Joe Burrow visited CBS for their pregame coverage, and former Bengals’ quarterback Boomer Esiason presented him with a Bengals helmet.
Based on today’s performance by Dalton, this future is becoming more and more likely as long as Cincinnati doesn’t pay their way out of the first overall pick.
Would you just look at it https://t.co/aUCuPuVgkr
— Jeaux Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 15, 2019
3-13 inbound https://t.co/FpfVxplyDc
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) December 15, 2019
Here. For. It. https://t.co/VYVEJiNryF
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) December 15, 2019
— Bengals-Talk.com (@BengalsTalk) December 15, 2019
“Gee Boomer, you shouldn’t have. No really!” pic.twitter.com/nVpMMeeGY4
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 15, 2019
Surprised Cowher didn’t send Kimo out to blow out Joe’s knee. https://t.co/DtfUfsl0hG
— Randy Slack (@Slackamania) December 15, 2019
I did the same with Carson Palmer back in 2002 on the #NFLTODAY. Joe Burrow was a good sport. Great kid.. He’ll make a great QB for any #NFL team. @LSUfootball #NFL pic.twitter.com/LTzZ3sPp6S
— Boomer Esiason (@7BOOMERESIASON) December 15, 2019
It finally ended
We finally were put out of our misery, but that still left some fairly notable reactions to where the Bengals’ first overall pick standings feel as well as the future of the franchise.
If the #Bengals fall to Miami they’ll have the 1st pick in the NFL Draft.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) December 15, 2019
Patriots: *Clinch playoff spot after probably illegally filming Bengals last week*
— Stacking The Box (@StackingTheBox) December 15, 2019
NFL Twitter: pic.twitter.com/64UN6v2vXe
— LakerStan (@OurLineIsTrash) December 15, 2019
One more loss, @Bengals. Just one more.
— Cincy Group Therapy (@CincyTherapy) December 15, 2019
I believe in you. pic.twitter.com/LEjKk2tq0y
Giants winning big. Bengals losing big. pic.twitter.com/JuGJzjZMR0
— Aaron Woods (@AaronWoodsCCK) December 15, 2019