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The Cincinnati Bengals pulled out a thrilling victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was one of those games where the Bengals came out flat-footed and fell behind by 14 points.
However, they rallied back with a 24-21 victory behind the arm of Joe Burrow.
Bengals fans went through a wide range of emotions throughout the game. Really, who can blame anyone at this point after seeing what we’ve witnessed the last few seasons? It was a great win, but man it would be nice to watch them just beat up a worse opponent.
Jaguars pounce on sleepwalking Bengals early
Cincinnati came out and got a quick stop on Jacksonville before putting a very nice drive together. However, it ended with Evan McPherson missing a 43-yard field goal. From there, the rest of the half was just the Jaguars dominating all sides of the ball.
They ran it down Cincinnati’s throats and Trevor Lawrence practically earned an entire touchdown drive after repeatedly converting on third-and-short by keeping on read options. The Bengals defense didn’t help its cause with plenty of missed tackles and miscues without safety Jessie Bates or cornerback Chidobe Awuzie.
The Bengals defense misses Jessie Bates.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) October 1, 2021
I want to cuss words.
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) October 1, 2021
This is why you can’t get excited for this team.
— Santori Miles (@Cincy_Suave) October 1, 2021
— Just Another Bengals Fan (2-1) (@JustaBengalsFan) October 1, 2021
Making his Bengals debut 19 games after signing, Trae Waynes got burnt like my toast this morning because my child walked out of the bathroom with poop on his hands
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) October 1, 2021
Offense takes it time waking up
After that first drive, the Bengals only had one first down the rest of the first half. That is the best way to describe what fans watched during that time.
Disclaimer: This is not to poke fun at anyone here. Plenty of this criticism was very valid, and you could say the second half is what we all should’ve been seeing from the beginning.
Can someone please tell the Bengals offense that the Jaguars defense isn't any good? WTH!
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) October 1, 2021
Urban Meyer is coaching like he has a Heisman QB. Zac Taylor is coaching like a scared HS coach.
— Santori Miles (@Cincy_Suave) October 1, 2021
I'd ask you for your opinion on the first half, but I honestly don't want you to get banned from Twitter.
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) October 1, 2021
That first half... pic.twitter.com/WkyReg9LQq
— Cincy Jungle (@CincyJungle) October 1, 2021
Boo birds flew high
It is kind of important here to also note that the fans in the stadium were fed up watching an offense that just couldn’t do anything despite having Burrow and an offensive line that wasn’t doing all that bad. It was frustrating to see predictable run, run and pass on third and long play calling rear its ugly head on a night where fans wanted something to cheer for.
And all the goodwill from Pittsburgh is gone as the boo birds have returned at PBS.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 1, 2021
Fans have every right to boo right now.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) October 1, 2021
Goal-line turning point
No one knew it at the time, but the Jaguars getting turned away on fourth-and-goal ended up being one of the biggest plays of the game. It came right before the half where the Bengals would proceed to come out on fire. Cincinnati quickly overcame a 14-point deficit, but if it was a 21-point deficit, who knows how the game would have ended.
And the Jags are in the red zone with a chance to go up 21-0 as Shenault beats Waynes deep to the 12
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) October 1, 2021
Logan Wilson on the goal line stop. pic.twitter.com/vtuHPxKmAN
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) October 1, 2021
Thank GOD for Awful goal line play called by @Jaguars we needed that ! Whew! pic.twitter.com/kGue0Ags8q
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) October 1, 2021
everyone stay calm, here comes a dub
— Commissioner Yas (@commissioneryas) October 1, 2021
Let. Joe. Cook.
The biggest frustration in the first half was the willingness to just try and coast off a running game that clearly wasn’t working in the first half. The first drive was so successful because they mixed in passes on downs where the defense didn’t expect it.
We also didn’t get to see much of Burrow getting to work at the line of scrimmage to adjust the play. We got that out of halftime when Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase and C.J. Uzomah for a touchdown followed by the running game getting going. Joe squared put the team in a position to compete for the win again.
This extra gear by #Bengals Ja'Marr Chase. pic.twitter.com/BjMOwTBikJ
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) October 1, 2021
HERE WE GO BABY. LET JOEY B COOK
— Sam (@sammy______G) October 1, 2021
Why not us, CJ?!
— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) October 1, 2021
Maybe I was right
— Whitney (@BengalsWhitney) October 1, 2021
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) October 1, 2021
I've always said Zac Taylor is the best play-caller and head coach in the NFL.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) October 1, 2021
Efficiency alert.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 1, 2021
All of a sudden we have Joe Burrow at 10.5 yards per attempt and Joe Mixon at 4.8 per carry.
Burrow and Uzomah will a win
The simple fact is this team would’ve never won or even been in a position to win a game like this if Burrow was not leading this team. When the game was on the line he repeatedly made the plays necessary to keep up and eventually out pace the desperate Jaguars. The guy he looked for on those crucial plays usually ended up being Uzomah. The veteran tight end had a career night.
Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence are both rolling, showing what they’re best at and doing it their own ways.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) October 1, 2021
It’s been a great showcase for two former top picks.
Dude if anybody deserves it...it's C.J. Uzomah. Hell of an injury comeback story too and great guy
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) October 1, 2021
Great job by the line giving Burrow plenty of time and space the flush out of the pocket and rip the dime on Uzomah. https://t.co/lcmfUpw2kD
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 1, 2021
Y’all ain’t ready to hear this, but that was a hell of a coaching job in the 2nd half
— Matt Minich (@CoachMinich) October 1, 2021
the qbs are good https://t.co/ZKYSjUraqQ
— John Sheeran (@John__Sheeran) October 1, 2021
3-1 never felt so good
Bengals fans get to celebrate being at the top of the AFC North, for however brief it will be with the Browns and Ravens set to have their respective games this weekend. It has been a long time coming for this team that has worked so hard to put a winner together. It just feels so great to have Burrow as our quarterback.
Who likes pressure? I CAME TO CINCY FOR THIS!!!! HAVE NO FEAR!!!
— ZIM (@zimwhodey) October 1, 2021
Bengals got the ball at their own 10-yard line with 5:33 remaining.
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) October 1, 2021
They CONSUMED the entire clock and ended the game with a game-winning 35-yard field goal by Evan McPherson.
That's how you WIN an NFL game!!!
Evan McPherson’s a keeper!
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) October 1, 2021
Joey Burrow is A DUDE pic.twitter.com/NypyAnDnJ4
— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) October 1, 2021
Zac Taylor has won five of his last seven games.
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger) October 1, 2021
It, personified https://t.co/V50uwiGYqK
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) October 1, 2021
Last year, @cj_uzomah suffered a season ending injury on Thursday Night Football.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 1, 2021
This year, he dominated. pic.twitter.com/byow6vXKEq
For those of you wanting to know the feeling at PBS. pic.twitter.com/ZXauQMyRou
— Santori Miles (@Cincy_Suave) October 1, 2021
Stat of the game
There are all kinds of odd stats the ESPN or other media outlets will dig up to fit a scenario perfectly. This one stat makes it look like Burrow will always be a thorn in Lawrence’s side.
Via @ESPNStatsInfo: Trevor Lawrence was 31-1 when leading by 10+ at Clemson. The only loss was to Joe Burrow and LSU in the 2020 CFP National Championship Game.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) October 1, 2021
First time he's been up by that margin in the NFL.
GIF of the weeks
Here are some of the best GIF reactions to the Bengals win we got. To have a chance at your GIF being included make sure to follow us @CincyJungle and reply when we call for the entries.
— El Kalbo (@El_Kalbo) October 1, 2021
— Spanky (@Spanky1298) October 1, 2021
— KeiSian (@blkmage) October 1, 2021
— Brandon McGinnis (@BTMcGinnis) October 1, 2021
WHO DEY!
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