Bengals News (12/28): New names to consider

Bengals Offensive Line Crunches Just In Time
"We had games where it hasn't been the best, but nobody sits there and points fingers," Hart said of his offensive line. "It's just always 'I could've done something better or we could've worked better together to get the job done.' I feel like just staying the course and persevering is the main thing. I'm going to keep saying it's perseverance. Not worrying about last week, just focusing on the now and just trying to get better as an individual and as a unit."

Allen Has Bengals Offense All Systems Go In Houston
"Just tells you everything you have to know about the character and resolve of this football team," Taylor said after Burrow back-up Brandon Allen's career-high 371 yards came on a remarkable 78-percent passing on 10 yards per throw in one of their most efficient efforts ever from a quarterback.

Quick Hits: Brandon Allen, Tee Higgins and Sam Hubbard Notes After The Week 16 Win over the Houston Texans
For the second time in six days the Bengals not only won a game without their leading passer and rusher in a game their leading receiver didn't have a catch, but in Sunday's 37-31 victory in Houston the offense also put up numbers worthy of the starters with its best day in four seasons.

Find Out What Zac Taylor & Brandon Allen Said After The Week 16 Win Over The Texans
"Tremendous, you know. And that was Brandon (Allen). Brandon was throwing with a ton of anticipation. He was doing a great job seeing the coverages, taking his check-downs when he had to. Really impressed by how he played. Really impressed with the guys around him too, the linemen. I can't remember, other than the last play of the game, him taking a hit, when he kept that ball on the keeper. I just thought a really nice job by those guys up front keeping him clean. The run game wasn't always pretty, but those guys did a good job finding some holes and getting the game going for us."

Cincinnati Bengals defeat the Houston Texans 37-31 in Week 16.
On the winning drive Allen found Alex Erickson over the middle for his sixth catch of the day (he came in with five all year) to give him 88 yards on the day and put the Bengals in the red zone. With running back Samaje Perine barreling for the rest, the Bengals were on the Texans 4 with a second down when they come out after the two-minute warning.

Bengals vs. Texans - Game Recap - December 27, 2020
HOUSTON -- — Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor didn't hear a single complaint when he made his team practice in 10-degree weather on Christmas Day because the Bengals knew the preparation was important if they hoped to finally win a road game.

Career game from Bengals' Brandon Allen shows why he could back up Joe Burrow in 2021
Sunday’s 37-31 win against the Houston Texans showed that Brandon Allen could be the answer in that role when Burrow returns in 2021. The veteran had the best game in his career and helped the Bengals go on their first winning streak in two seasons.

Cincinnati Bengals Open as Double-Digit Home Underdogs Against Baltimore Ravens Despite Winning Two-Straight Games
“These guys deserve it for the work they put in. I see it every day," Taylor said after the game. "The world doesn't see it because on Sundays we haven't always had games go the way we want, but I get to see it the six other days of the week. We knew that moments like these were coming, and we've just got to continue to build off of it. Winning two games in a row is really insignificant in this NFL, but it is significant for us right now, just everybody seeing what we've been through. It means a lot to these guys and something to build off of.”

The Cincinnati Bengals Beat the Houston Texans and Zac Taylor's Seat Has Officially Cooled Off
Jake Liscow and I discuss the Bengals' win over the Texans, what it means for Zac Taylor, plus the issues on defense and so much more.

Ravens Notebook: Final Game at Bengals Stays on Schedule, More Records
The regular-season finale against the Bengals will remain as scheduled at 1 p.m. There was some speculation the game could have been moved to 4 p.m. because of the playoff implications for Baltimore.

2021 NFL Draft order update: Jaguars and Jets remain on top, while Cincinnati drops to No. 5
The 2021 NFL Draft order received a shake-up Sunday, but not at the top. The Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets retain top spots despite New York achieving its second victory in as many weeks. That victory combined with the Jaguars' loss locks those two teams into their spots heading into the final week of the season.

Cincinnati Bengals Early look at 2021 NFL draft first-round targets
After spending big in free agency last offseason, the Bengals could again look to do so. But perhaps more interesting is the 2021 NFL draft, where the team continues to be on track for the third overall pick.

Bengals dip in draft order: Range of outcomes after win vs. Texans
It had previously looked like the Bengals had a lock on the third pick. After beating Pittsburgh in primetime in Week 15, the team still held the spot. Pulling off another upset — this time over Houston, a seven-point favorite — finally knocked them free of the spot.

Five prospects the Bengals can target with Penei Sewell out of reach
With a week 16 win over the Houston Texans, Zac Taylor’s squad finds themselves fifth in the draft order, tied with the Philadelphia Eagles. At this point, that would seemingly put offensive tackle Penei Sewell out of reach for the franchise that’s in desperate need of help in the trenches.

Around the league

2020 NFL season, Week 16: What we learned from Sunday's games
Snow fell upon a presumed shootout, but it did little to cool the hot hand of Aaron Rodgers, whose start was of the blazing variety as he went 5-for-5 for 40 yards on the opening drive, which concluded with a 5-yard score to Davante Adams. Rodgers nor Adams seemed to be slowed all that much by the snowy conditions and certainly not the Titans defense, leading a Packers offensive tour de force. Ridiculously, Rodgers had just four incompletions on 25 attempts, throwing four touchdowns and for 231 yards. Rodgers has the Packers (12-3) primed for the NFC's No. 1 seed and has to be seen as the MVP frontrunner, with all due respect to Patrick Mahomes.

Packers' Aaron Rodgers tightens hold on MVP award with rampage over Titans
The race for this year's NFL Most Valuable Player award officially ended on a chilly, snowy night in Green Bay. It concluded as Aaron Rodgers tossed touchdown pass after touchdown pass and the Packers torched the Tennessee Titans on Sunday Night Football. Before that point, Rodgers was running neck and neck with Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes for that honor. After this latest performance, it's hard to see how Rodgers doesn't deserve it just a little bit more.

J.J. Watt rants about still giving effort during Texans' 'trash' season: 'We stink'
Watt said the defense played "horrendously," forcing just one punt of a Brandon Allen-led Bengals offense while giving up 540 total yards and 7.6 yards per play. In the second half, the Texans allowed Cincinnati to move up and down the field at will, scoring three touchdowns and two field goals in five possessions.

Taylor Heinicke replaces Haskins in loss after postponing college exams at ODU to join Washington
The 2015 undrafted Old Dominion quarterback began the year as part of the St. Louis BattleHawks roster in the XFL. Heinicke didn't see the field and was terminated when the league folded in the spring due to COVID-19 lockdowns.