Bengals Week 14 Snap Counts: Mike Gesicki’s revival coincides with Cincinnati’s continued offensive line dominance
Mike Gesicki reminded the Bengals of his value against the Bills.
It’s back to the drawing board for Cincinnati Bengals following a dejecting 34-39 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Cincinnati blew a 10-point halftime lead in Orchard Park the very week its entire starting offense returned to full health, and it also featured a starter getting his groove back despite the final score.
Let’s see what the snap counts had to say about the Bengals’ loss to the Bills.
Mike Gesicki’s return to the spotlight
On a day in which snowfall was prevalent, the tight end who’s not really a tight end had himself his first big game of the season. Mike Gesicki (25) was right behind Drew Sample (27) in snaps, but had much more of an impact with six receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown.
Gesicki’s season had been largely forgotten leading into this past weekend. His production tanked when Jake Browning took over for three weeks, and he missed most of Joe Flacco’s run as the starter under center due to injury. He posted 54 yards on 10 receptions in his first two games back, but the day he had in Buffalo is why Cincinnati re-signed him to a three-year contract this past offseason.
When Joe Burrow (60) is healthy and has all of his weapons, any one of them can eat. Sunday ended up being a full plate for Gesicki.
Offensive line continuity still holding strong
The Bengals’ offensive line has now gone three straight weeks playing 100% together. The last time a starter went out occurred in Week 11 when rookie Jalen Rivers suffered an ankle injury and was replaced by Dalton Risner (60). Risner has started every game since, and the rest of the o-line has maintained prefect in-game health alongside him.
Continuity has in turn led to incredible pass-blocking production. Cincinnati’s 0-line has the fourth-highest “Pass Blocking Efficiency” rating since Week 12, which measures pressure allowed on a per-snap basis with more weight placed on sacks allowed. Only the Bengals and New England Patriots’ protection groups have not been charged with any sacks their quarterbacks have taken over the last three weeks.
Expert analysis on Bengals Week 14 snap counts at Bills
- Tee Higgins (44) ended up playing nearly 75% of the game despite exiting multiple times due to concussion scares. Higgins is back in the concussion protocol this week.
- B.J. Hill (48) led the defensive tackles in snaps and took advantage with five pressures and a sack on 30 pass-rushing reps.
- Cam Sample (8) made his return after missing the last two weeks with an oblique injury. He was firmly behind Cedric Johnson (20) in the rotation at defensive end.
Cincinnati Bengals News
Oddsmakers establish how they view the Bengals with their season completely on the line against the Ravens
Underdogs at home again.
