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The Bengals put away the Texans late after a wild second half full of points. This marks a winning streak for the Bengals as well as Zac Taylor’s first road win of his career as a head coach.
There is a lot to build off of four this team. Here we will take a look at some of the best reactions to some of the biggest moments from Cincinnati’s road win against Houston.
Brandon Allen starts hot
Allen got the start after missing last week’s upset over the Steelers, and on the opening drive he didn’t disappoint. It wasn’t his craziest drive, but it kicked off what would turn into a career game for the backup quarterback who probably earned himself the backup spot again next season.
Bengals look well prepared today. Love seeing that. https://t.co/wdFzjV0i57
— Adam's Hour (@Adams_Hour) December 27, 2020
Only one of those passes wasn't a screen or flat, and that was Erickson on the little 6 or 7 or 8 yard sit.
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) December 27, 2020
Manufacturing yards. https://t.co/Ay32ZXWNea
oh right pic.twitter.com/vE5rj9e65D
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) December 27, 2020
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 27, 2020
Samaje Perine busts the game open
One of the least likely players to provide the homerun threat on Sunday for Cincinnati was backup running back Perine. He has flashed some big plays while Joe Mixon has been out, but he had a career day. The biggest play came when he helped the Bengals end their third quarter woes.
.@samajp32 will not be stopped! Welcome Home
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 27, 2020
WATCH on FOX pic.twitter.com/qoMpIo4l22
The Bengals just scored a TD in the third quarter.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 27, 2020
I repeat, the Bengals just scored a TD in the third quarter.
First time since Week 4.
Perine!!!!
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) December 27, 2020
Longest run of Perine's career and longest run by the #Bengals in 2020
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) December 27, 2020
he's made simple reads and runs that i've never seen from the other guy
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) December 27, 2020
Run that peel 34!!!
— Dj Reader (@Djread98) December 27, 2020
Nice job on the left side from Sua-Filo and Sample in particular on that Perine run
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) December 27, 2020
My grandpa used to use the phrase, “ran like a bat outta hell” I think that phrase describes Semaje Perine’s TD run perfectly.
— Elise Jesse (@EliseJesseTV) December 27, 2020
Last Bengals rushing TD of 40-plus yards was 10/23/2016 against the Browns.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 27, 2020
Jeremy Hill went for 74 yards in the third quarter of a Bengals win. https://t.co/tlSJXFEHut
Defense crumbles in the second half
The Bengals have relied on their defense with Joe Burrow out for the season, and they played pretty well in the first half. However, in the second half they let David Johnson run all over them and Deshaun Watson move the ball down the field on command. Missed tackles were a huge problem.
Bengals defense lays down after the Perine TD run. Houston made it look easy.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 27, 2020
First time in a bit we've seen that kind of ugly from that group.
Oh boy *sighs* This is going to be another close one, isn't it
— Bengals UK (@WhoDey_UK) December 27, 2020
#Bengals D that drive pic.twitter.com/TuhGkOZPEP
— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) December 27, 2020
14 points are the most points the #Bengals have allowed in a quarter since giving up 20 in the 4Q against Cleveland in Week 7.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) December 27, 2020
Markus Bailey in man on David Johnson is a crime.
— Santori Miles (@Cincy_Suave) December 27, 2020
The defense is so flat.. someone dance on a logo or something
— Santori Miles (@Cincy_Suave) December 27, 2020
Texans RB David Johnson had 99 rushing yards in the third quarter. At 118 for the game on just 10 carries.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 27, 2020
Bengals defense is getting dragged, literally. #Bengals
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) December 27, 2020
I would like to see Anarumo call this drive as if his job depends on it
— Nick Manchester (@NickManchester9) December 27, 2020
Tee Higgins with the play of the game
Higgins didn’t look like a rookie Sunday. He consistently made plays on deep passes by Allen. One of his best was pulling in a highly contested pass while simultaneously dragging his toes in for a touchdown. The play helped answer a Texans score that came quickly after Perine’s huge run. The future is bright with Higgins out wide.
.@teehiggins5 ➡ TOE. DRAG. SWAG.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 27, 2020
WATCH on FOX pic.twitter.com/GK48U5hKq9
AND YES... it a CINCINNATI TOUCHDOWN! pic.twitter.com/uCRVLGZu4D
— Bengal Jim’s BTR (@bengaljims_BTR) December 27, 2020
That drive featured a perfect wheel throw, a great 15 yard comeback, the seam in-stride to Erickson, and then that beauty to Higgins for the TD.
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) December 27, 2020
VERTICAL! 24-17.
That 20-yard touchdown pass by Brandon Allen was the best throw of the season by the Bengals, Joe Burrow included. #Bengals
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) December 27, 2020
Tee Higgins future is
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) December 27, 2020
#LetBrandonAllenCook?#YeahLetBrandonAllenCook
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 27, 2020
CHILD PLEASE pic.twitter.com/rMUuw1Qrfd
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 27, 2020
I hope @ochocinco saw that Higgins TD. Doing #85 right!
— BengalsCaptain (@BengalsCaptain) December 27, 2020
Wild finish with an unlikely ending
The Bengals ended up taking a late lead that may have come in an ill-advised way. They scored a touchdown on first and goal down by four right after the two-minute warning. Some argued that giving the ball to Watson and the Texans offense with that much time was a recipe for disaster, but that is when the Bengals defense finally stepped up and created their first turnover of the game to help seal the deal for Zac Taylor’s first road win of his tenure as head coach.
Another one for @samajp32!
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 27, 2020
WATCH on FOX pic.twitter.com/cek137clsg
Defense made a play when we needed it most!
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 27, 2020
WATCH on FOX pic.twitter.com/GXCD52GXNX
Taylor's first road win comes mainly thanks to a career day by Brandon Allen. Good overall play-calling and game for Taylor.
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) December 27, 2020
Who picked Margus Hunt with a one handed interception for the win?
— Not Zac Taylor (@NotZacTaylor) December 27, 2020
The 37 points scored and 540 yards of total offense are both season highs for the #Bengals.
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) December 27, 2020
Meaningless win? Not really. This team needs more than just Sewell to become great and plus this gives the young players confidence that they can win in this league.
— Adam's Hour (@Adams_Hour) December 27, 2020
Zac Taylor notching some firsts these last few weeks.
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) December 27, 2020
Not great it took this long to get them, but positive steps.
Bengals can fix the offensive line in the draft and free agency. https://t.co/RLzeBholRO
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) December 27, 2020
Zac Taylor has completely turned this team around.
— KC (@GoatJoeBurreaux) December 27, 2020
Back-to-back wins for Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals. Taylor's job is safe. #Bengals
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) December 27, 2020
Hubbard may have just saved Lou Anarumo's job.
— Patrick Judis (@PatrickJudis) December 27, 2020
Dear Bengals fans: Penei Sewell is not the only good OT in the draft.
— Vance Meek (@vancemeek) December 27, 2020
#Bengals fall to at least 5th in draft order with Texans and Falcons losing.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) December 27, 2020
Panthers still to come.