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Well, the Bengals really out did themselves this week. They keep finding a way to play just well enough to make you believe before pulling the rug out from under their fans. The Colts finished off their comeback after being down 21 points in the first half of the game. It was just a new way of losing that this fan base has become all too accustomed to under these past few seasons.
Hot start
The Bengals offense took off early. They built a 21-point lead through some very clean play calling, good running plays and Joe Burrow making some great plays along the way. It started with a surprising veteran capitalizing off a turnover on the team’s opening drive.
Touchdown.
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) October 18, 2020
Bengals score seven off a Colts turnover, capped with an easy Giovani Bernard touchdown. pic.twitter.com/nOS1mbQVSo
Offensive looks jumpstarted. Great play mix. Good for Joe.
— Adam's Hour (@Adams_Hour) October 18, 2020
That was the Bengals' first opening-drive TD of the season. #Bengals
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) October 18, 2020
Wow. How about that start. First red zone rushing TD of the season for the Bengals. It's Bernard.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 18, 2020
They were the last team to post a rushing RZ touchdown this year.
The onslaught continued with Zac Taylor giving the rookie a shot on 4th and 1 just off of the goal line. Burrow didn’t disappoint. He not only got the first down, but he took it all the way into the end zone.
What a start by the #Bengals. Joe Burrow with the TD pic.twitter.com/8MN47dxRid
— AllBengals (@AllBengals) October 18, 2020
that's a 10/10 spike
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) October 18, 2020
The #Bengals had 3 rushing touchdowns thru 5 games.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) October 18, 2020
They have 2 in 2 drives today.
Joe Burrow just had one of the best QB ball spikes I’ve seen in a long time.
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) October 18, 2020
Maybe 20 feet elevation on the bounce back.
That’s No. 1 pick talent.
Go for it. Go for the jugular.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) October 18, 2020
Burrow also had several great plays that showed some of his progress. He had a play where he made a couple key adjustments that created a conversion on a third and long, and he and fellow rookie Tee Higgins connected on a deep pass, which has been a pretty rare thing so far this season.
Burrow getting the defense to focus on AJ with the adjustment? Big pickup on 3rd. pic.twitter.com/bTKcGAIHHg
— BengalsCaptain (@BengalsCaptain) October 18, 2020
Oh that was interesting on the third down. Burrow audibles at the line, spreads A.J. Green out wide and finds Boyd in the middle of the field for a 23-yard gain. Really strong command by the rookie.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) October 18, 2020
great check at the line, middle of the field open look from colts d
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) October 18, 2020
Burrow out here setting them up and knocking them down on third and long.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 18, 2020
Looked like he audibled into it and found Boyd wide open over the middle. Heck of a drive thus far.
67 yard strike from Burrow to Higgins. #Bengals
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) October 18, 2020
Beautiful. pic.twitter.com/AzDhb7fdwy
TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 18, 2020
Teeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Dj Reader (@Djread98) October 18, 2020
DEEP BALLLLLLLLL pic.twitter.com/5FcKMeZvyb
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) October 18, 2020
I mean .... https://t.co/fI3KlWQHnO
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 18, 2020
9➡️85 =
— AllBengals (@AllBengals) October 18, 2020
after a false start, drop, facing a blitz, that's gonna be a play we look at if this is indeed a win.
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) October 18, 2020
when facing the first sign of adversity, they complete a deep pass for the first time all season.
9 goes deep to 85 pic.twitter.com/w6iS49zFiN
— Cincy Jungle (@CincyJungle) October 18, 2020
The Bengals third straight touchdown drive of the game sealed the first 21-point lead of Taylor’s career in Cincinnati. It was a great play by Joe Mixon and the offensive line that got the score.
KEEP PUSHING #BENGALS! pic.twitter.com/FOnPLmAXew
— BengalsCaptain (@BengalsCaptain) October 18, 2020
Bengals digital team RN pic.twitter.com/5RYgIxSEZM
— Mina Creamer (@minacreamer) October 18, 2020
The Bengals offensive line has absolutely mauled the Colts at the point of attack on all three TD runs.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 18, 2020
Holy crap.
I love seeing A.J. Green excited after that play by Tee!
— BENGALS TALK (@BengalsTalk) October 18, 2020
The Bengals are up 21-0 against the Colts.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) October 18, 2020
This is the biggest CIN lead in the Zac Taylor era.
Defense lets up
The defense was a big reason that the offense was able to get out to the early lead, but it appears the clock struck midnight a little early on the Bengals’ defense. They allowed the Colts to score 21 points including a touchdown with just seconds remaining in the second quarter.
Pass Rush is the only thing the Bengals are missing today.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) October 18, 2020
2 straight drives of a defensive implosion, whether this stands or not
— undstand (@Cincy_Suave) October 18, 2020
This is the worst DL in football now that Reeder and Hubbard are hurt and Atkins and Dunlap backups.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) October 18, 2020
a lot of miscommunication in the #Bengals pass drops today
— undstand (@Cincy_Suave) October 18, 2020
Colts passing in the second quarter: 7-of-10 for 153 yards. Still 4:38 left in the half.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) October 18, 2020
Bengals, Chargers and Falcons can write a book about blowing leads.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) October 18, 2020
— Matt Minich (@CoachMinich) October 18, 2020
Curious rotation
The defensive line has been hit pretty hard with injuries this season. D.J. Reader and Sam Hubbard were both out this week, but for some reason Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap were both eerily absent for most of the game.
Bold move for Bengals to sit some of their best defenders when it matters.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) October 18, 2020
And... the Bengals blew a 21 point lead with 2 of their supposed best players on the sideline. https://t.co/zOhAFfonDs
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) October 18, 2020
Are they putting Geno on a pitch limit?
— Adam's Hour (@Adams_Hour) October 18, 2020
Two names completely missing from the defensive stat sheet: pic.twitter.com/c13ORo8TyW
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) October 18, 2020
Defensive line of Khalid Kareem, Khalil McKenzie, Amani Bledsoe, and Andrew Brown out there getting absolutely destroyed
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) October 18, 2020
Bates’ clutch play
Jessie Bates continues to fill out his application as one of the best safeties in the NFL as he announced his presence against the Colts. He made a terrific play on the ball, and even though the return was called back, it still gave Cincinnati the opportunity to take the lead (even if they ultimately failed).
.@jlbiii3 = CLUTCH
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 18, 2020
: #CINvsIND LIVE on FOX pic.twitter.com/JjkOcEYTl1
Yes, but we're also talking DPOY at this point. https://t.co/g8258utRRq
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) October 18, 2020
Giving ya love, you said Bates would get one. https://t.co/bMc7Rnkp0A
— BengalsCaptain (@BengalsCaptain) October 18, 2020
Jessie Bates has arguably been the best safety in football this season. That will help his case.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 18, 2020
BIG PLAY BATES!!!!
— Trae Waynes (@TWaynes_15) October 18, 2020
@CoachMinich called the Bates pick on the pregame show
— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) October 18, 2020
That Bates INT is without a doubt the best Bengals play of this game
— Nick Manchester (@NickManchester9) October 18, 2020
Falling short... again
Burrow attempted to lead a game-winning drive to end the game, but he threw a pick that sealed the comeback win for the Colts. There are plenty of feeling following a loss like that, and fans are right to feel whatever it is they want.
It is just really hard to keep losing games, and it is especially hard to lose a game where they started off so strong. Blame doesn’t fall on a singular player or coach, but it has to be time to start evaluating people who are going to make it to the end of the season and beyond. If seats weren’t hot already, they are now.
Play to lose and you will lose. Every time.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) October 18, 2020
I would’ve trusted Joe Burrow on that 4th&1, probably quarterback sneak.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) October 18, 2020
hope the sound of that doink ruptured the coaching staff's eardums.
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) October 18, 2020
— BengalsCaptain (@BengalsCaptain) October 18, 2020
I don't blame Randy so much as I blame the person who thought it was a good idea to kick a FG. https://t.co/aUmhdIc4kW
— Adam's Hour (@Adams_Hour) October 18, 2020
That was all 1 game?
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) October 18, 2020
Super Bengal-y.
That’s...a game you just cannot have lost.
— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) October 18, 2020
The Bengals road losing streak will continue. Cincinnati hasn't won on the road since Sept. 30, 2018. #Bengals
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) October 18, 2020
Oh, Joe. Two awful throws over the middle today and this time the Colts punish it.
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) October 18, 2020
Fans should puke if they hear more "learning to win" stuff from the staff.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) October 18, 2020
Thats what makes have 24 points in the first half so frustrating. Not getting over that hump cost them the game.
— President of John Ross fanclub (@PatrickJudis) October 18, 2020
I wonder if Brian Callahan will get a shot at calling plays in 2020.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) October 18, 2020
If I’m the Bengals owner, here’s how Zac Taylor keeps his job:
— Nick Manchester (@NickManchester9) October 18, 2020
-Hand over play calling duties
-Fire Lou Anarumo
-Fire Jim Turner and put together a freaking offensive line
-Stop losing one score games