The Good, The Bad and The Ugly in Bengals’ 34-17 win over Falcons in Madrid
There were a lot of elements to the Bengals’ victory over the Falcons to like, but some areas still need work.
Good: Joe Burrow put on a clinic for the Cincinnati Bengals, leading them to a 34-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid. The Cincinnati quarterback completed 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, boasting an impressive 140.1 passer rating. His performance earned him MVP consideration, as he had 21 touchdown passes leading the NFL this season.
Ja'Ja Marr Chase was a standout performer as well, leading the team in receiving yards and touchdown receptions, while Tee Higgins connected on two crucial touchdown catches. The run game showed improvement, as the Bengals' ground attacks delivered 123 yards and 5.1 yards per carry. Evan McPherson's field goal accuracy was also remarkable, making 23 straight field goals.
Bad: The Bengals' run defense struggled once again, allowing the Falcons to rush for 157 yards on just 24 carries, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Bijan Robinson scored a crucial 1-yard touchdown, breaking a 6-game streak for the Bengals' defense. The team finished the game without a sack, and no quarterback hits were recorded, allowing Michael Penix Jr. to throw without much pressure.
The defense also failed to get off the field on third downs, leading to long drives and scoring opportunities for the Falcons. The back end of the defense was particularly shaky, with DJ Turner II committing two defensive pass interference penalties, both resulting in Falcons touchdowns. The whole back end struggled to tackle in space, particularly on third-and-long situations.
Ugly: The Bengals' secondary had significant issues, notably DJ Turner II's two defensive pass interference penalties, which set up Falcons touchdowns. These mistakes, combined with missed tackles and third-down breakdowns, allowed the Falcons to maintain drives and score points. The offside penalty on an Atlanta punt turned into a field goal for the Falcons, while the Bengals' defense allowed a late first-half drive to run until just 57 seconds remained.
Additionally, Bijan Robinson had an impressive game, contributing 100 rushing yards and six receptions for 47 yards, despite the team's overall struggles against the run. The lack of a strong defensive presence may be a concern as the Bengals prepare to face the Steelers in a critical Sunday night game.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
