Highlights:
- Ja’Marr Chase delivered an outstanding performance, setting a single-game record for the Cincinnati Bengals with 12 catches and 141 receiving yards.
- The Bengals’ defence played a pivotal role in the game, sacking Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford six times and consistently pressuring him throughout the night.
- Their relentless defence prevented the Rams from capitalizing on scoring opportunities in the first half.
A strong defensive performance by the Bengals led to six sacks of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. With a 19-16 victory over the Los Angeles Rams (1-2), Ja’Marr Chase set a single-game record for the Cincinnati Bengals (1-2). Chase made 12 catches out of 15 and gained 141 yards, surpassing his best for the number of catches in a single football game. Despite this impressive performance, he hasn’t managed to score a touchdown in the last three games he has played.
It clearly wasn’t because quarterback Joe Burrow wasn’t there. Burrow was working hard to be able to suit up with an injured calf, so it was a true game-time decision for head coach Zac Taylor and the Bengals.
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Even though Burrow didn’t throw any touchdowns in the box score, he performed well at the helm. As a result of his 26-for-49 completions, he finished with 259 yards and one interception. Until the third quarter, the Bengals were unable to score a touchdown until their eighth drive.
Burrow’s 75-yard drive was finished by Joe Mixon’s first touchdown of the season- a 14-yard run where he went nearly uncontested. Mixon gained a total of 65 yards on 19 separate carries. He also caught a pass thrown by the quarterback, Joe Burrow and gained five yards.
On the other hand, the Rams had many opportunities to score in the first half but failed to capitalize. Tutu Atwell, the team’s quick receiver, appeared to do it on the team’s first drive, taking an end-around to the right side and diving past the goal line. But the officials determined he stepped out of bounds at the two-yard line.
The Rams had a great field position to take an early lead, but D.J. Reader sacked Matthew Stafford on the following play, sending Los Angeles back nine yards. They were only able to get a field goal out of it, which was the Rams’ tendency.
Two drives later, the Rams had a first down on the 12-yard line but were forced to kick another field goal.
That’s a credit to the Bengals’ defence, which harassed Stafford all night.
Stafford had only one sack in his previous two games, but the Bengals immediately rectified that, putting him to the ground six times. Trey Hendrickson led the way with two sacks, and Dax Hill, Sam Hubbard, and B.J.Hill also contributed to Reader’s first takedown.
Los Angeles ultimately scored near the end of the game when burgeoning star Puka Nacua snagged a 37-yard Stafford throw that put the Rams on Cincinnati’s three-yard line. Tutu Atwell caught a pass thrown by quarterback Matthew Stafford while being one yard away from the opposing team’s end zone. The Rams attempted an onside kick, which was unsuccessful, and that secured the Bengals Victory.
Matthew Stafford’s Matthew Stafford’s completed 18 out of 33 pass attempts for a total of 269 passing yards. He threw one touchdown pass but also had two interceptions. The leading receiver for Stafford was Puka Nacua, who gained 72 yards on five receptions (catches). Tight end Tyler Higbee also had a good game with 71 yards on five catches.
Will the Bengals, coming off their win, continue their winning streak in the upcoming game against the Tennessee Titans? On the other hand, the Rams will face the Indianapolis Colts in their next matchup. These games are part of the teams’ schedules for the following week.
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