Bengals impress Pro Football Focus, get surprising grades for TNF performance

To say the least, the Cincinnati Bengals were unimpressive in the first half of their Thursday Night Football victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, whatever was said to them at halftime absolutely lit a spark that propelled them to a dominant second-half performance.

The Bengals came out and quickly marched down the field, scoring their first points of the game.

They forced a three and out and quickly scored again, evening the game at 14. Trading touchdown for touchdown, the Jags had the ball with the game on the line, punted back to Burrow and the rest was history.

While their performance wasn’t terrific for all 60 minutes, their Pro Football Focus grades were still graded highly due to their second-half comeback. Burrow, who threw for 348 yards and 2 touchdowns, was given an 87.7. He topped a 90 against Pittsburgh.

A notable two-touchdown showing from tight end C.J. Uzomah also helped him snag an 88.2 mark. Burrow hit Uzomah for the game-winning screen, helping them get within Evan McPherson’s range for the tie-breaking field goal to end the game.

As for the line, Jonah Williams and Quinton Spain both were given over an 80.

Jackson Carman, the team’s second-round pick, was graded under a 30, a brutal showing, having been beaten off the line several times. Josh Allen was living in the backfield, yet Burrow impressively took just one sack.

Here’s how they looked in pass protection per PFF’s Andrew Russell.

Tyler Boyd and Ja’Marr Chase also put in notable performances with the former going for 9 receptions and 118 yards. Chase ended the game with 6 receptions and 77 yards, both having a long over 30 yards. This was Chase’s first game in the NFL without a touchdown.

That said, the Bengals' offense ended with six players given at least an 80.