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Why Cincinnati Bengals' win over LA Rams felt like season-saving win | Analysis

kelsey conway, cincinnati enquirer
·4 min read

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night in what felt like a season-saving win even though it’s only Week 3. Quarterback Joe Burrow opted to play despite a calf strain that significantly limited what he could do from a physical standpoint. It wasn’t pretty at times, but he found a way.

As he often does.

In the NFL, you take wins as they come. Each week it gets harder to win in this league.

But at the same time even after the 19-16 win, there’s still plenty of questions about the Bengals’ offensive identity this season. Cincinnati’s defense looked more like the unit you were expecting to see in the first two weeks and played particularly well in the second half of Monday’s game.

There was plenty of good from the Bengals and there was a lot of not so good, so let’s dive in.

Cincinnati Bengals' pass rush gets to Matthew Stafford frequently

The Bengals struggled to get after the passer in the first two weeks. That changed against the Rams and it was the biggest bright spot to come out of the win.

Because of the players that make up the Bengals’ defensive line, and their familiarity with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme, Cincinnati’s pass rushing group came into the season with high expectations.

The group showed up when the Bengals needed it most against Los Angeles, recording six sacks on the night.

Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson harassed Matthew Stafford all night and was the difference maker the Bengals are paying him to be. Hendrickson and the Bengals agreed to a contract extension through 2025 with $21 million in new money.

Dax Hill, DJ Reader, BJ Hill and Sam Hubbard all joined in on the sack party that took place at Paycor Stadium. The Bengals logged 10 total quarterback hits on Stafford.

If this group can continue to play at the level they did against the Rams, it could help immensely as the Bengals continue to figure things out on the offensive side of the ball.

Hendrickson staying healthy will be critical for Cincinnati this season as he makes the whole group go.

Logan Wilson's interceptions will be necessary if Joe Burrow's still nursing his calf injury

It’s unclear when Burrow will look like the quarterback you’ve seen when healthy. His calf injury is one that is likely going to linger as muscle strains typically do. The only way Burrow’s calf will heal fully is if he sits out for an extended period of time.

That’s unlikely to happen.

The Bengals have Super Bowl aspirations this season. In year’s past, it’s been Burrow who has put on his Superman cape and saved the Bengals. For now, it’s going to be on his teammates to step up and help secure wins.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55), center, celebrates an interception in the second quarter during a Week 3 NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55), center, celebrates an interception in the second quarter during a Week 3 NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Linebacker Logan Wilson’s two interceptions are exactly what needs to happen for the Bengals to remain in games when their offense isn’t functioning at a high level. Wilson is among the league’s best at taking the ball away and his interceptions are a big reason the Bengals snuck out of Week 3 with a win.

The Bengals will need more of this – and they have the players capable of doing so – just look up and down their roster on the defensive side of the ball.

Cincinnati’s front office has rewarded several of its players on the defensive side of the ball with big time contracts. Now, more than ever, the Bengals need them to step up just as Wilson did.

The Bengals need to find an answer to slow starts on offense

For the third week in a row, the Bengals struggled to get the ball in the end zone in the first half.

Week 1: 0 points in the first half

Week 2: 10 points in the first half

Week 3: 6 points in the first half

The Bengals were able to find their offensive rhythm in the second half and outside of Burrow’s calf limitations, it’s hard to explain the missing link early on for this Cincinnati team. They return all three of their top wide receivers, their offensive line is much improved, and Joe Mixon has had some strong runs so far through the season.

So, why does it take so long for Burrow and Co. to get going in these games? That’s something head coach Zac Taylor, offensive coordinator Brian Callahan and Burrow will assess over the next few days.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) leaps over Los Angeles Rams safety Russ Yeast (2) on a catch down the sideline in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. The Bengals beat the Rams, 19-16, improving to 1-2.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) leaps over Los Angeles Rams safety Russ Yeast (2) on a catch down the sideline in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. The Bengals beat the Rams, 19-16, improving to 1-2.

After publicly stating he wanted the ball more, the Bengals drew up an excellent game plan to get Ja’Marr Chase more involved. He caught 12 passes for 141 yards and carried Cincinnati’s passing offense.

As mentioned above, the Bengals’ offensive line looks vastly improved. They allowed only two sacks on Burrow all night. Credit should be given where it due here.

The focus now turns to how to put it all together earlier in games.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bengals beat Los Angeles Rams in NFL Week 3, save season