Everyone in Cincinnati won on Monday night. The first victory of the new season is always a cause for celebration, especially when the alternative is an 0-3 start. 

The Bengals' problems to begin the season were centered around the health of Joe Burrow's calf. That problem persisted against the Los Angeles Rams with most of the country tuning in, and the Bengals overcame it when they absolutely had to.  



These players were the reason that was possible. 

Five Winners From Bengals’ MNF Win

ED Trey Hendrickson

“Blackout Trey” came alive in all-white Monday night with two sacks and two tackles for loss. It felt like he had at least four of each when watching because he had both of the Rams’ left tackles in a blender for four quarters. Hendrickson’s signature speed rushes to the outside simply couldn’t be stopped.

Look at the timing of those sacks as well. His sack on third-and-6 early in the third quarter forced a Rams field goal, and the Bengals scored their first and only touchdown on the ensuing drive. His second sack three drives later pinned the Rams deep on their own side of the field, leading to a short field for the Bengals to eventually get a field goal from. 

These are the games Hendrickson should dominate, and he did just that.

LB Logan Wilson

Wilson played like an MVP during the Super Bowl against the Rams and he looked the part again with two interceptions and two more passes defensed. The first was an impressive display of coverage, the second being at the right place at the right time. Both were significant in deciding the game. The Bengals added 14% win probability after each one. 

Two interceptions brings Wilson's career total to nine. Only six other non-defensive backs have had more in their Bengals career, and Wilson reached his current total much faster than most of them. 

WR Ja’Marr Chase

It's tough to keep the Bengals' No. 1 receiver down for too long. His 141 yards were more than twice his season total entering the week, as were his 12 catches. He also got the deep shot he so desired as the recipient of a cheeky fake handoff play that had him wide open.

"Coming into this game, I was going to feed my guy. He was due for one," Joe Burrow said of Uno after the game. "I knew he was going to have a big game. Just the way he was talking all week, he was excited to play this one. He showed up big for us. He showed why he's one of the best."



He most certainly did, even on a night when Burrow was fighting just to be half his best.

S Dax Hill

Cincinnati’s leading tackler on defense also came away with two tackles for loss and joined in on the sack party in Matthew Stafford’s consistently disrupted pocket. He’s now the lone Bengal to have an interception, tackle for loss, and sack on the season. It’s just now Week 4.

When the Bengals envisioned Hill taking over as a starter in the secondary, this was the vision. He's got the speed to play deep, but he's a menace when close to the line of scrimmage. The Rams found out the hard way.

Bengals’ offensive line

For the second week in a row, the Bengals’ pass protection was up to snuff in keeping Burrow up right for the vast majority of the game. Yes, Aaron Donald got through a couple times, but that’s the reality of playing the future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Protecting a pocket passer is considered easier than protecting one that constantly scrambles. Pass sets are more methodical and aren't wasted by the quarterback bailing out of the pocket. At the same time, holding up in protection becomes all the more critical if the quarterback can't escape when he needs to. 

Burrow's footwork and quickness isn't what it usually is, but his front five prevented his night from turning tumultuous.

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In total, the Bengals' defense came away with six sacks, two turnovers, and made 10 stops on 11 third down attempts. How about in the red zone? Only one of the Rams' four trips resulted in a touchdown. 

Bailing out the offense has been customary to Lou Anarumo's unit. Never before have they had to do so with little room to spare. 19 points is the second-fewest the Bengals have scored in a win with Zac Taylor as head coach. They are now 2-26 in games when scoring fewer than 20 points, per Pro Football Network's Jay Morrison. 



Give a game ball to the entire defense, because they kept the season alive. 

Bengals got more than a win on Monday Night Football

All good vibes in Cincinnati.

Featured image via © Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports