CINCINNATI — With Joe Burrow leading the charge as quarterback and a lineup of gifted receivers, the Cincinnati Bengals possess a formidable passing attack. However, the team is encountering significant challenges when it comes to their running game.
In their recent matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati managed a mere 58 rushing yards during a defeat that ended 37-17. The team averaged a disappointing 2.9 yards per carry, highlighting a persistent issue throughout the season. “We ran it well after the first game, ran it well for a couple weeks in a row,” stated Burrow. “But the last couple of weeks haven’t been good enough.”
The Bengals, now with a record of 3-5, were aiming to level their wins and losses following back-to-back victories on the road against the New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns. In their win versus the Giants, they managed to rush for 121 yards and two touchdowns. However, this past weekend in their narrow 21-14 victory over the Browns, they recorded only 59 rushing yards. The struggles continued against Philadelphia, where Chase Brown led the team with 32 yards on 12 carries, while Burrow added 15 and Zack Moss contributed 11 on five carries.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor commented on the situation, explaining that his play-calling was influenced by their offensive performance. “It’s not like I called a lot of runs in the first half because we were moving the ball really well the way that we were attacking them,” he said, noting the effectiveness of their passing plays compared to the rushing attempts.
In contrast, the Eagles showcased a strong rushing attack, gaining 161 yards on the ground. Saquon Barkley led that charge with 108 yards from 22 carries, while quarterback Jalen Hurts contributed 37 yards and three touchdowns on 10 attempts.
Burrow began the game with a strong passing performance, completing his first eight throws and guiding the team on a 70-yard opening drive. He connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a 2-yard touchdown, putting Cincinnati ahead 7-0 with less than five minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Bengals’ chances were hindered by the absence of their top receiver, Tee Higgins, who missed the game due to a quadriceps injury. “Whenever you don’t have some of your best players it always makes it tough,” Burrow admitted. “But we go out there with the guys we have. That’s the NFL.”
A critical moment came late in the third quarter when a pivotal fourth-down attempt shifted momentum. On fourth-and-1 from their own 39-yard line, the Bengals opted to pass, but Burrow’s pass to Chase was caught short, resulting in a 2-yard loss after being tackled by rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean. “Guy made a good play,” Burrow reflected. “We didn’t get the fourth down, they kick the field goal, and we’re down by 10. Then I throw the pick, and at that point, it was an uphill battle.”
Ted Karras, the Bengals’ center, expressed the need for better execution in their rushing plays. “It creates more confidence to call more. It’s kind of a volume thing. Overall, we need to get a head on a hat and get the ball downhill,” he stated. Karras plans to review game footage to identify areas for improvement.
In a previous close encounter on October 6, where they lost to Baltimore 41-38 in overtime, the Bengals held a lead of 10 points multiple times in the second half but struggled to execute a strong running game to maintain those leads. Burrow highlighted the importance of attacking defenders to keep them off balance. “When you play good pass rushers like we have the past couple weeks, you have to keep them off balance and be able to run the ball,” he explained. “If you don’t, play-action isn’t going to be as good.”
For the Bengals to secure a spot in the playoffs, establishing a reliable running game will be crucial. They currently hold an 0-4 record at home this season. Burrow remains optimistic, suggesting that reaching 10 wins would likely ensure a playoff berth. “We have to win seven out of nine. That’s doable. Any game is winnable. Just got to go do it,” he stated with determination.