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The Bengals covered!
Okay, so it wasn’t the storybook ending we thought for Week 2. This was more of a wake-up call for what this team will probably look like in 2020. This defense still has some serious question marks, but Joe Burrow makes this team interesting every week.
At some point, Burrow and these receivers will start clicking. That is when Cincinnati becomes dangerous.
Until then, we should expect games like this where they fall just short, but at least it was close.
Burrow gets his first
The first of many passing touchdowns by the first overall pick. It was an impressive play call and an even better pass. The play caught the attention of several familiar names for fans as well.
Congrats Joe on 1st TD pass
— Ken Anderson (@KenAndersonNFL) September 18, 2020
Joe has such beautiful touch. Congrats man on your first one in the NFL!
— Bengals Hour (@BengalsHour) September 18, 2020
Nice response, Joseph.
— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) September 18, 2020
First career TD! Let’s Geaux.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) September 18, 2020
Joe Burrow’s first deep pass last week was to CJ Uzomah.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) September 18, 2020
And his first NFL passing touchdown is a deep ball to Uzomah.
He likes that combination.
Burrow. Answer. Wow.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) September 18, 2020
Touchdown! That was easy @Bengals @autumnsjs90
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) September 18, 2020
Burrow is so impressive. Forget you're watching a rookie at times.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) September 18, 2020
Burrow is SPECIAL! He has the “IT” for sure.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 18, 2020
Big time dime
— PFF (@PFF) September 18, 2020
pic.twitter.com/eI4ZZtLJD5
Joe Burrow hitting 8 different receivers in the first half. Wow.
— President of John Ross fanclub (@PatrickJudis) September 18, 2020
Joe Burrow continues to look extremely comfortable in two-minute drills and high-pressure situations.
— Evan McPhillips (@emcphil) September 18, 2020
Shows his ability to extend the play on a nice sideline throw to Higgins and takes the #Bengals downfield into scoring range to make it a one-score game. pic.twitter.com/BWjWmvv4DG
2019 called, they want their defense back
The Bengals defense may not have been as improved as many thought in Week 1. It didn’t look that much different from the defense we all suffered through in 2019. Cleveland was constantly driving down the field with little resistance, and it is hard to put the blame on just one area.
#Bengals defense not showing much resistance. Even gifted a first-and-22 and Browns slice them up.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) September 18, 2020
That's, as they say, quite concerning.
Where is the defense?
— Ken Anderson (@KenAndersonNFL) September 18, 2020
Chubb touchdown. Defense not looking good.
— Blake Jewell (@bjewell43_) September 18, 2020
Bates and Bell with missed tackles on that TD run by Chubb.
— BENGALS TALK (@BengalsTalk) September 18, 2020
bynes looks like he aged 4 years in 4 days
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) September 18, 2020
Bengals have no answer for the Browns OL. Baker has all day, is actually throwing the ball to open receivers, and the running game didn't take long to get going. Adjust fast or score.
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) September 18, 2020
No cutback there . They were pushing guys back . Good dbl on NG. If you move a NG back there will be a big hole. That’s why teams log those fire hydrants at That 1 Technique. If he doesn’t move the play is a pile up ! If your guard Can chip his hip and get him moved big yards
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) September 18, 2020
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) September 18, 2020
So much for William Jackson's strong Week 1.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) September 18, 2020
Very excited young many sitting in front of me is telling his friends he's never seen the Browns score 2 touchdowns in a half in a game he's been to.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) September 18, 2020
Goodnight.
— Joey (@Joey27C) September 18, 2020
Props to stefanski on that draw up.
— Jay R (Bengals Perspective) (@JayRBP) September 18, 2020
Made sure the safeties took the bait and left OBJ on an island down the sideline.
Haven’t heard Dunlap’s name called all night. https://t.co/bSsQN5EU10
— BENGALS TALK (@BengalsTalk) September 18, 2020
Corners are struggling bad
— (@stripe_city) September 18, 2020
Brutal.. Hunt wide open from 6 yards out for #Browns TD.. second of night for Mayfield 21-10 #Browns ...
— Richard Skinner (@Local12Skinny) September 18, 2020
0 facets of the #Bengals D playing well tonight.
— BENGALS TALK (@BengalsTalk) September 18, 2020
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) September 18, 2020
Lou Anarumo should be on a short leash https://t.co/pT4xGoUbKn
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) September 18, 2020
A look at the dots to see how Kareem Hunt got so wide open on that TD play. pic.twitter.com/9ZW0LRUAEz
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) September 18, 2020
William Jackson gives the Bengals a chance
The Bengals looked the they were about to be finished with Mayfield and the Browns driving down the field to make it a three score game. However, Jackson had different plans as he picked off Cleveland’s quarterback. That opened up the game.
Just as it seemed that the Browns were about to bury the Bengals, WJ3 surfaces with a pick. pic.twitter.com/Q6PRmI2fSq
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) September 18, 2020
So glad the real Baker Mayfield finally decided to show up.
— Dadio Makdook (@dadiodefacto) September 18, 2020
Burrow responds
It wasn’t quite a game changing drive, but it did put the pressure back on Cleveland to score. Burrow made it a five point game after the touchdown drive where the rookie looked like he was anything but that.
Burrow's first two TD passes go to exactly who you expected.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) September 18, 2020
CJ Uzomah and Mike Thomas
Dime
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) September 18, 2020
Mike Thomas continues to thrive with the #Bengals. He had a huge camp and built a good rapport with Joe Burrow.
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) September 18, 2020
Suddenly, this is a one possession game. The Bengals trail 28-23 with 5:55 left.
Mike Thomas with the TD catch from Burrow! #CINvsCLE
— BENGALS TALK (@BengalsTalk) September 18, 2020
Joe Burrow, man.
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) September 18, 2020
Finds Mike Thomas for his first #Bengals TD.
It's now 28-23 Browns. 5:55 left and all 3 timeouts.
a receiver finally beat denzel ward tonight
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) September 18, 2020
Mike Thomas > John Ross
— (@stripe_city) September 18, 2020
Mike Thomas!!! pic.twitter.com/mqjElhtPcz
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) September 18, 2020
Just not enough
The Bengals offense just couldn’t dig itself out of the hole that the defense dug the team into. An 0-2 start always stings, but this young team still has plenty of room to grow. Still, the disappointment after this offseason of raised expectations with Burrow was obvious.
I'd hate to think what the score would be if Burrow wasn't the quarterback
— Nick Manchester (@NickManchester9) September 18, 2020
Somebody just asked me if Joe Burrow can play defense lol
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) September 18, 2020
If you're Joe Burrow and you see that effort from Fred Johnson and Bobby Hart on tape...I don't know how there isn't an episode of loud voices in the locker room.
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) September 18, 2020
Game on the line — Defense can’t stop a paper cut
— (@stripe_city) September 18, 2020
I mean this is a defensive drive you’d expect to see in Week 17 at the end of a 2-14 season. Not speaking from experience or anything.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) September 18, 2020
Defense with huge opportunity to stand up and give the ball back to Burrow with a chance to win. And ...
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) September 18, 2020
Three runs for 63 yards.
I knew this was gonna happen but damn...
— Joey (@Joey27C) September 18, 2020
The inconsistency from week to week is maddening.
— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) September 18, 2020
Burrow did all the work for this team and this is how the team repays him with the trash Oline and trash defense?? Seriously y’all gotta be like that? @Bengals
— Meg Burkhard (@Bengalsmanic) September 18, 2020
defense is shit?
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) September 18, 2020
score more. you're gonna be giving up 35 to mahomes in the afc championship if you hope to get there in less than 5 years.
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