Bengals News (12/9): Joe Mixon’s big day isn’t enough

Mixon Stands Tall Amid Offensive Struggles
Head coach Zac Taylor admitted in frustration the pass interference call on cornerback William Jackson III courtesy of a review looking at safety Jessie Bates III’s interception has him unclear on the enforcement of the rule. Taylor boiled over when wide receiver John Ross was called for a hold on what would have been Mixon’s 34-yard run, a net loss of 27 yards.

Quick Hits: Bengals Dominate, But Frustrate
Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd was the picture of frustration after Sunday’s galling 27-19 loss that featured four red-zone misfires (characteristic) by the 28th-ranked red zone team and 99 penalty yards (uncharacteristic) by the NFL’s least penalized team in terms of yardage.

Bengals struggle in the red zone, lose 27-19 to the Cleveland Browns in Week 14
Chubb, held to seven yards on three carries in the first half, broke through a host of tackles for a 57-yard run in the middle of the field in the first moments of the second half. That set up Kareem Hunt’s three-yard run to an unguarded left perimeter for a touchdown that gave Cleveland a 21-13 lead just 2:50 into the second half.

Bengals rail the Browns 14-13 at halftime in a close battle
That was largely because the Bengals, who came into the game with the fewest penalty yards in the NFL as opposed to a Browns team that had the most, committed four 15-yard infractions in the first half.

Gallery: Week 14 Photos Bengals at Browns
Check out the game photos from the

Joe Mixon continues to trend up with career day in another Bengals loss
While the Bengals (1-12) spoiled Mixon's career day and maintained their position as the worst team in the NFL with three games remaining, Mixon showed why he will be an asset for a rebuilding Cincinnati franchise moving forward.

NFL Week 14 analysis: Cincinnati Bengals lost to Cleveland Browns
Going into Sunday, the Bengals converted on 36 percent of their third downs. Cincinnati outgained the Browns in rushing yards, passing yards, controlled time of possession and had one more takeaway in the first half. However, the Bengals’ inability to convert on third down was the reason the team trailed by one when they retreated into the locker room at halftime.

Carl Lawson gets healthy, Bengals’ defense gets better
Lawson joined the Bengals as a fourth-round selection from Auburn in the 2017 NFL Draft, led the league’s first-year players with 8.5 sacks that season and made the All-Rookie team. But a torn anterior cruciate ligament ended his 2018 season early, and a hamstring injury hampered his return to form in 2019.

Bengals’ season-long red-zone woes on full display in loss to Browns
Just hand the ball to running back Joe Mixon – who had just converted on fourth-and-inches. He was working on a career day from the first time he touched the ball, a 26-yard run that featured a trucking of Browns rookie cornerback Greedy Williams on the game’s second play. Then watch Mixon celebrate his second rushing touchdown of the game as you decide whether to kick the PAT to get within one or go for two and the tie with five-plus minutes left in the third quarter.

Around the league

Baker Mayfield sorry for questioning Browns trainers
"I'd say it wasn't handled right," Mayfield said of Beckham's injury. "He's not able to run as well as he should be able to, as well as he knows. And that's frustrating for him. You can sense that's some of his frustration, where that comes from. So wasn't handled the right way in our training room. So it is what it is. His not 100 percent is still good enough for us."

Jets, Dolphins combine for NFL-record 10 made FGs
The reigning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, who last week caught a touchdown pass, was responsible for all of Miami's points on Sunday, as the Fins could not find the end zone. Sanders hit seven of eight field-goal attempts (53, 47, 37, 37, 31, 28, 25, 22, in descending order of distance), and at least one in each quarter.

Chiefs clinch AFC West with win over Pats, Raiders loss
The Kansas City Chiefs clinched the AFC West title with their 23-16 win over the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders' 42-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans. This is K.C.'s fourth consecutive division title and marks the Chiefs' sixth playoff appearance in seven seasons under coach Andy Reid.

Donte Jackson criticizes Panthers' play-calling in loss
Following the Carolina Panthers' 40-20 loss to the division rival Atlanta Falcons that eliminated them from playoff contention, the second-year cornerback voiced his frustration over the team's defensive play-calling, particularly on the two touchdown passes in which he was the primary defender.