The Cincinnati Bengals are playing complimentary football at the perfect moment as the playoff picture comes into focus. Joe Burrow was Superman-like at times going 23/30, throwing for 252 yards, and three more touchdowns for a passer rating of 134.3 to defeat the Cleveland Browns 24-6. Burrow became the first player in NFL history with the most consecutive games (7) with 250+ Passing Yards and 3+ Passing TDs. Ja’Marr Chase caught a late touchdown and finished with 97 receiving yards to bolster his Triple Crown lead with two games to play. During the Bengals’ three-game winning streak, several young players have emerged to help the orange and black play some of their best football in this tumultuous season. Let’s examine three players on both sides of the ball who have stepped up and contributed mightily to keep Cincinnati’s playoff hopes alive.
Young Players Are Keeping the Bengals Playoff Dreams Afloat
Chase Brown
The super sophomore has been incredible this season and seems to improve weekly. His speed off the line of scrimmage and prowess as a pass catcher is a breath of fresh air for the already potent Bengals offense. Brown didn’t take over as RB1 until Week 9, and he’s closing in on 1000 rushing yards. He sits with 923 and has seven touchdowns averaging 4.4 yards per carry. The dynamism he provides adds another offensive weapon that likely keeps defensive coordinators up late at night. No matter how the season ends for the men in stripes, a huge positive has been the emergence of Brown as a legitimate threat every time he touches the ball.
Kris Jenkins Jr.
The Bengals went into the 2024 NFL Draft badly needing to upgrade at the defensive tackle position after the departure of D.J. Reader. They swung big and double-dipped by taking Kris Jenkins Jr. from Michigan in the second round and took McKinnley Jackson shortly after in the third.
Jenkins has been consistent after having thumb surgery in Week 1. His pass-rushing ability has been on an upward trajectory over the last several weeks and he notched two sacks yesterday to bring his season total to three.
KRIS JENKINS GOT TWO SACKS TODAY!! π‘π΅γ½οΈ
pic.twitter.com/laeGxL5G5T— Gage O'Leary πΊπ² (@Gage_Sports_54) December 22, 2024
He’s also been effective against the run, and the Bengals will need this play to continue for the remainder of the season.
McKinnley Jackson
McKinnley Jackson from Texas A&M has been a surprise contributor as his snap count has increased. Although he is more of a run-stuffer compared to Jenkins, the former Aggie recorded the first sack of his career against Cleveland as he crawled to take down Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The Bengals would love to be able to count on Jackson as a solid piece for their defensive tackle rotation in 2025.
Youth Movement
When things aren’t going your way and injuries mount, you have to be able to rely on young players to keep the season afloat. This is exactly what this young crop of tigers has done to provide hope. Honestly, with how the season has gone for Cincinnati, that’s all you can ask for in Week 17.
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