Cincinnati Bengals Have a Super Bowl Formula

The Cincinnati Bengals left Madrid with a 34-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons and a more complete formula for the second half of the season. Joe Burrow’s passing created the separation, Cincinnati’s running game produced 123 yards, and the defense permitted seven second-half points as the Bengals moved to 6-2.

The passing game opened the run game

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow completed 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns, then added a 1-yard rushing score. Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase caught 10 passes for 155 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown, while wide receiver Tee Higgins caught two touchdown passes.

The ground production gave Cincinnati a changeup after an offense built around Burrow, Chase, and Higgins. Running backs Chase Brown and Samaje Perine combined for 100 yards on 20 carries, and the Bengals averaged 5.1 yards per rushing attempt. Lucky of The Sit Down Morning Show with Malik Wright called Cincinnati the NFL’s scariest offense because opponents have been unable to take away its passing game even when they know it is coming.

The offensive line helped make that adjustment possible. Burrow was sacked twice, and Atlanta generated pressure on only 15.6% of his dropbacks, its lowest rate of the season. Daniel of The Sit Down Morning Show with Malik Wright said the offensive line has moved from a Cincinnati concern to a unit playing at a Super Bowl level.

The defense kept Atlanta from extending its early lead

Atlanta scored 10 first-quarter points, but Cincinnati answered with 24 consecutive points before halftime and held the Falcons to one touchdown after the break. Bengals linebacker Barrett Carter sealed the result with an interception, while the defense limited Falcons wide receiver Drake London to four catches for 68 yards and kept Atlanta’s tight ends out of the end zone.

The result gave Malik Wright, host of The Sit Down Morning Show with Malik Wright, reason to place Cincinnati at the front of the AFC field. Wright said the Bengals are the conference’s team to beat because their explosive passing game can decide an elimination game, while the Madrid performance showed the roster can win when the game requires a more balanced approach.

Pittsburgh is the immediate measure

The Bengals return home for a Sunday Night Football meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 15. Cincinnati lost its first matchup at Pittsburgh in Week 3, making the division rematch a direct chance to turn the Madrid momentum into control of the AFC North race.

How Cincinnati won