Bengals RB Joe Mixon provides winning formula without WR Ja'Marr Chase
The Bengals' offense looked lost a week ago without WR Ja'Marr Chase. RB Joe Mixon had different plans in Week 9.
Mixon had a total of 211 yards and five touchdowns in Cincinnati's 42-21 win over the Panthers. His five-touchdown day broke the franchise record for the most touchdowns in one game.
Did Mixon's record-breaking day provide the winning formula for Cincinnati with Chase?
The Bengals might need to lean on the run more after losing Chase with a hip injury for an undetermined amount of time.
It's unlikely Mixon can replicate his five-touchdown performance, but it's possible to see the success of the ground game in terms of yardage again.
"It's tough to lose a game if you run for 200 yards," QB Joe Burrow told reporters after the game.
The offense was almost perfectly balanced, rushing for 241 yards and passing for 223 yards.
"First complete game of the year. That’s how we expect to play every week," Burrow added. "We’ve got to find that sauce and keep it in our back pocket for the rest of the year."
Cincinnati (5-4) enters their bye in second place in the AFC North. Will they get their first divisional win in Pittsburgh Week 11?
More must-reads: