Bengals' defense bends and very nearly breaks in 2023 debut
This was the game the starters were going to play for the Cincinnati Bengals. Had Joe Burrow been healthy, we would've seen the 1s on offense take the field. But Burrow doesn't play defense, so there was nothing to stop defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo from playing his guys against the Atlanta Falcons.A wise choice that […]
This was the game the starters were going to play for the Cincinnati Bengals. Had Joe Burrow been healthy, we would've seen the 1s on offense take the field. But Burrow doesn't play defense, so there was nothing to stop defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo from playing his guys against the Atlanta Falcons.
A wise choice that was.
Cincinnati's bend-but-don't-break defense nearly broke in their debut performance against the Desmond Ridder and Bijan Robinson-led Falcons offense. The home team conducted a marathon 15-play, 78-yard opening drive that was a few yards from finding pay dirt until Mike Hilton broke up a third down pass at the goal line that Joseph Ossai snagged out of the air and returned for 17 yards.
New year, same clutch gene. And on Anarumo's birthday nonetheless.
The Bengals' defense has been known to get their cardio in without giving up points in the process. Their heart rate was reaching critical mass against the Falcons' pistol offense that features misdirection, bootlegs, and other ways to get their playmakers in space.
In allowing six plays of 10 yards or more, including a 21-yard completion to Drake London on top of DJ Turner II in coverage, the Bengals' defense looked like a unit that needed reps together.
New safety Nick Scott had a couple mistakes early in the drive, fitting with the idea of getting unfamiliar faces to gel together as early as possible. Cam Taylor-Britt looked like his physical self but came on too strong with some missed tackles as well.
If it wasn't for a whopping four penalties for the Falcons, the drive may've ended a lot sooner, and finished in the unpainted end zone.
But it didn't. When it mattered the most, low stakes aside, the Bengals held to the very end.
That completion to London may've been the key to it all. While it was an explosive play allowed by Cincinnati, it was initially challenged by head coach Zac Taylor. The stoppage in play allowed substitutions to first come in on the defensive line, a much-needed breather deep in enemy territory.
Back-to-back penalties made it first-and-goal at the 19-yard line. Ridder went at Hilton for a 12-yard completion to KhaDarel Hodge and Robinson was stuffed at the line for a one-yard gain by Dax Hill on the ensuing play.
Finally, Ridder went after Hilton again on third down, but the Atlanta native timed his play on the ball perfectly, and Ossai bolted off his spot coverage to turn a potential touchdown drive into the highlight of the first half.
Plenty of work to do for one of the league's grittiest defenses, but some things never seem to change.
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