The Cincinnati Bengals kept slim playoff hopes alive with a 24-6 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 16.
There, Joe Burrow willed an offense battling injuries to do enough to win, while a struggling defense created a few key turnovers to swing the outcome.
Here’s a look at some quick notes, numbers to know and takeaways from the game.
Quick thoughts
- Bengals defense didn’t inspire confidence early. The unit coughed up a 66-yard run on the opening drive, then forced coaches to burn a timeout because it couldn’t get the subs in properly.
- Vonn Bell, though, forced a fumble at the one-yard line on what appeared to be a Browns touchdown.
- Joe Burrow proceeded to drive the Bengals down the field for a score with one of the wildest touchdown throws of his career.
- Burrow was once again displaying why he’s the best quarterback in the league at navigating pockets for most of the day.
- Chase Brown quietly put up 70-plus yards by the fourth quarter on just 13 carries, once again putting on a huge showing to keep a strong season going.
- Understandably, the line play collapsed without Amarius Mims, the rookie who suffered an ankle injury.
- Defense was passable for most of the day, but hinged heavily on big plays in the redzone.
Key stat
2: Redzone turnovers forced the defense. One on the forced fumble, the other a Jordan Battle pick, creating a minimum of a 10-point swing.
Game balls
QB Joe Burrow: Just another day for Burrow, who continues to play MVP-worthy ball.
WR Tee Higgins: After a stint on the injury report earlier in the week, Higgins caught eight passes for 58 yards and a score, including some really tough grabs over the middle.
Top takeaway
Alive: The Bengals did what they had to do to stay alive in the playoff race — just keep in mind they relied heavily on redzone turnovers against a third-string quarterback to survive. Alas, they live to fight next week and need to win out, plus get some major help to actually make the playoffs.
