Bengals Week 11 Snap Counts: Myles Murphy’s career day is a light in the darkness of another defeat
Murphy and a rookie starter at least came to play in Pittsburgh.
The Cincinnati Bengals are one step closer to free falling out of the postseason race after falling 12-34 to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Coaching mistakes, altercations between plays, and continued tackling issues all collided as the offense also faltered after a few weeks of Joe Flacco playing well. There was also a handful of injuries that played a part in the depth on both sides of the ball being tested.
Let’s see what the snap counts had to say about the Cincinnati’s loss to the Steelers.
Myles Murphy shows up aplenty
Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart being out was an opportunity for Myles Murphy (58) to play more, and therefore make an increased impact. He answered the bell like he never did before. Murphy recorded a career-high six pressures and his second full sack of the season while rushing the passer 34 times. He was around the ball a lot more often with four solo tackles and five defensive stops.
Murphy’s sack was the only one the Bengals officially had all day, but B.J. Hill (46) also came in on the play. Hill and Joseph Ossai (45) each had multiple pressures and impacted passing plays for the Steelers. In a year where pass rush has been a major weakness for Cincinnati, Sunday was one of the defense’s relative best days of the season in that regard. Everything else, obviously, needs major work.
Dylan Fairchild fares well in first Steelers test
The last time the Bengals won, they beat the Steelers in Week 7 without their starting left guard. Dylan Fairchild (66) has gotten healthy since and played admirably in his debut against Cincinnati’s divisional enemy. Fairchild allowed just two pressures and did solid work in the run game as well. He saw plenty of first-round pick Derrick Harmon in a battle between rookies, and Harmon only registered one pressure on 17 pass-rushing snaps.
Fairchild has been a beacon of hope in Cincinnati’s rookie class this year. He’s allowed just one sack on 327 pass-blocking snaps.
Expert analysis on Bengals Week 9 snap counts vs. Bears
- Chase Brown (54) barely left the field with Samaje Perine out. Tahj Brooks (7) and Kendall Milton (4) each played minimal snaps as Perine’s collective replacement, but neither one is going to be fully trusted to take on that role by themself at this time.
- Jalen Rivers (55) missed 11 snaps due to a right ankle injury and was replaced by Dalton Riser (11) at right guard. Risner played clean off the bench, allowing zero pressures.
- Cam Taylor-Britt (10) suffered a left foot injury and missed the entire second half. Josh Newton (18) ended up replacing his role.
Cincinnati Bengals News
‘It’s a decision worth criticizing’ — Zac Taylor’s honest admission unfortunately can’t salvage Bengals’ playoff odds
The Bengals are dangerously close to being eliminated from playoff contention.
