 |
|
 |
||
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|||
Greater Ozarks MFA Agri Services – Ozark, Ash Grove & Marshfield. |
|
Printable Page
10/26 19:51 CDT Ja'Marr Chase's halftime talk sparks Bengals' comeback win over
Ravens
Ja'Marr Chase's halftime talk sparks Bengals' comeback win over Ravens
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
Ja'Marr Chase's halftime speech during Sunday's game definitely woke up his
Cincinnati Bengals teammates as they stormed back in the second half from a
13-0 deficit and dominated Baltimore in the second half.
Whether the 35-13 victory over the Ravens can serve as the springboard to an
extended winning streak or the Bengals making the playoffs for the first time
since 2022 remains to be seen over the next couple of weeks.
Chase said after Sunday's game that he cried the previous time he gave a speech
at halftime. His emotions were the opposite this time.
"I didn't cry this time," Chase said. "I came in here screaming, saying,
'Somebody's got to make a play for us, somebody got to make a play.' And I told
our offense we can't look at our defense the whole time. We've got to step up
and make something work."
The 35 second-half points are the most by a team shutout in the first half
since the Minnesota Vikings put up 39 points in their Week 15 game in 2022
against the Indianapolis Colts, completing the largest comeback in NFL history
after being down 33-0.
The Bengals scored on their first five second-half drives and Joe Burrow had a
perfect 158.3 passer rating after halftime, the second time he has done that in
his career. He was 16 of 18 passes for 249 yards in the second half.
Coach Zac Taylor and offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher were also more
aggressive in the second half as the Bengals had nine plays of at least 10
yards.
"I thought at halftime Ja'Marr set the right tone. He knew what he was doing
and I think he challenged everybody the right way," Taylor said. "You don't
always want to be playing that role and you guys have seen I'm not a big yeller
and screamer all the time. So it's good when you've got a captain step up and
take that role. Other guys have done it in different ways."
All four of Burrow's TD passes came from a clean pocket as the offensive line
had one of their cleanest games of the season.
Burrow has two straight games with four touchdown passes and no interceptions
and Tee Higgins has two games with at least 145 receiving yards.
While the offense is putting up big numbers, the Bengals are still looking for
consistent play from all three phases in the same game, something they haven't
had since their Week 1 victory over Tampa Bay.
What's working The run defense held Baltimore's Derrick Henry to 45 yards on 17 carries, with only three runs that ended up keeping the Ravens ahead of the chains. The Bengals held Henry to zero or negative yards on four attempts.
What needs help Taylor and Pitcher have to make sure Chase and Higgins aren't held to a combined four targets and two receptions going into halftime.
Stock up DE Boye Mafe had 1 1/2 sacks against the Ravens, and is up to 4 1/2 for the season. He had only two sacks with Seattle last season.
Stock down RB Chase Brown has 88 yards on 33 carries the past three games. He had 11 carries for 39 yards on Sunday.
Key injuries Taylor had no updates on S Kyle Dugger (quadriceps) and TE Erick All Jr. (knee), who were injured on Sunday.
Key numbers 3: Times the Bengals have trailed by at least 13 points at halftime and have come back to win since Burrow arrived in 2020. 4: Consecutive games with a receiving touchdown by Mike Gesicki, the longest streak by a tight end in franchise history.
Up next The Bengals host the Titans next Sunday. Cincinnati has won four of the past five meetings against Tennessee. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
What's working The run defense held Baltimore's Derrick Henry to 45 yards on 17 carries, with only three runs that ended up keeping the Ravens ahead of the chains. The Bengals held Henry to zero or negative yards on four attempts.
What needs help Taylor and Pitcher have to make sure Chase and Higgins aren't held to a combined four targets and two receptions going into halftime.
Stock up DE Boye Mafe had 1 1/2 sacks against the Ravens, and is up to 4 1/2 for the season. He had only two sacks with Seattle last season.
Stock down RB Chase Brown has 88 yards on 33 carries the past three games. He had 11 carries for 39 yards on Sunday.
Key injuries Taylor had no updates on S Kyle Dugger (quadriceps) and TE Erick All Jr. (knee), who were injured on Sunday.
Key numbers 3: Times the Bengals have trailed by at least 13 points at halftime and have come back to win since Burrow arrived in 2020. 4: Consecutive games with a receiving touchdown by Mike Gesicki, the longest streak by a tight end in franchise history.
Up next The Bengals host the Titans next Sunday. Cincinnati has won four of the past five meetings against Tennessee. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
