Coming into the Cincinnati Bengals versus Denver Broncos game last Monday Night, we had many questions and not enough answers about the Bengals. On Monday night we got a few answers.
The last time we saw the Bengals play after 4 pm was against the Cleveland Browns at home on Thursday Night Football November 2nd and we all remember seeing the Brian Hoyer led Browns Mike Tyson knockout the Bengals 24-3. The Bengals avenged the beating by winning 30-0 in Cleveland, but it wasn’t in prime time so I took that with a grain of salt. What we all saw November 2nd was a team whose quarterback couldn’t make a throw in bad conditions and one who seemed to be out of place (again) when the lights were on. I think Andy Dalton had a QB rating of around 1 against the Browns on Thursday Night Football and if you watched the Bengals under the lights in previous years that game really wasn’t an aberration.
On Monday Night something was different even after Andy Dalton tried to turn into “Prime Time” Dalton right before our eyes with a pick 6 to start the game. What was different? The Bengals were able to stick with the running game to the tune of 37 carries and 207 yards. Rookie Jeremy Hill ran for 147 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, his lone touchdown was on an 85 yard run that answered “Prime Time” Dalton’s pick 6.
Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson did a great job in giving Dalton easy passes in spite of another so-so performance, but it seems they have found the formula to get a win or two in the playoffs. The less Dalton throws the better chance the Bengals have to win. Monday Night was a huge win for Cincinnati; it locked them into the playoffs and proved they can win a big game.
The Bengals defense played great ball, confusing and picking off Peyton Manning four times. If the defense and running game shows up this might not be the last big game the Bengals win.
Now can they beat Pittsburgh on the road to win the AFC North? And secure at least one home playoff game? Oh and the big elephant in the room can they finally win a damn playoff game? Will it be four years and no wins? Only time will tell, but we can’t take anything away from the Bengals performance last Monday!
