The Cincinnati Bengals arrived Sunday to play a game. However, the New Orleans Saints had no intention of playing any type of game. What happened in Paul Brown Stadium resembled a volcano. Once the lava blew the top off, there was literally just pieces left of a melted Bengals team.
Cincinnati Bengals Victims of New Orleans Saints Explosion in Week 10
New Orleans Saints Ground Assault
The 51-14 assault on the Bengals seemed to feel even larger. The Saints scored 35 points before halftime and the Black and Gold scored a touchdown every single possession in the first half. “Angry” Mark Ingram looked like a man on a mission on every single carry. Ingram ran impassioned with rage all day long. He ran for 104 yards on 13 carries. Alvin Kamara chipped in with 56 yards, and little known Dwayne Washington added 47 yards on 11 carries.
All in all, the Saints rushed for 244 yards on 47 carries with a 5.2 average yard per carry. In fact, every single carry by any running back looked to be unfair, as the offensive line shoved the defense back with little resistance. The Saints’ offensive line was simply “offensive.” Every snap was just another cannon going off in the backfield. It didn’t matter who ran the ball. Things got so one-sided that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had a chance to enter late in the fourth quarter.
Of course, Drew Brees once again proved his MVP status with 22 of 25 passing and 265 yards including three touchdowns. This was his take on the game after the New Orleans Saints ran their record to 8-1.
Drew Brees on winning 8 straight ??, dancing into the locker room ?? & passing Brett Favre — BRETT FAVRE‼️ —in career passing TDs ??. Enjoyed this. ? @drewbrees @Saints @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/zrZQY46nVL
— Kimberly Jones (@KimJonesSports) November 11, 2018
Additionally, wide receiver Michael Thomas looked unstoppable as usual, with two of those touchdowns and eight catches for 70 yards. Ingram even caught a swing pass on a sweet 28-yard touchdown pass by Drew Brees.
Defense Brought the Swagger
Last but not least, the defense provoked and annoyed the Cincinnati offense all day long as evidenced by two interceptions from Marcus Williams and Eli Apple and a combined four sacks by the pass rush. The list was long for quarterback hits on quarterback Andy Dalton. Seven hits by six different guys, including two from Sheldon Rankins. Rankins is starting to come into his own after a stellar performance last week against the Los Angeles Rams. The carnage left behind was legendary. The matchup was supposed to be between two playoff contenders. In the end, the game played out with a feeling of authority after the game finally ended.
THROW IT UP?♂️⚜️ #GoSaints pic.twitter.com/VWEzcIVwZs
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 11, 2018
The Saints are now looking like the team to beat in the NFC. Currently, the Saints are 5-0 on the road and hold the tiebreaker over the Rams for the top seed in the NFC. If the defense keeps improving, there is no way any team has a chance to compete with this team in 2018. Still, there are plenty of games left to close out the season. But right now, the Saints are, without a doubt, the best team in the NFC. In fact, the Saints may be tops in the NFL as a whole.
