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11/09 17:42 CST Bengals surge into showdown vs. Steelers after a victory in
Madrid and 4-game win streak
Bengals surge into showdown vs. Steelers after a victory in Madrid and 4-game
win streak
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
With the Cincinnati Bengals on a four-game winning streak and off to the best
start of the Zac Taylor era, the eighth-year coach hopes his team can keep the
momentum as a first-place showdown in the AFC North looms on Sunday night.
The Bengals' 34-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid, Spain, tied them
with the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the division at 6-2. It is Cincinnati's best
start since 2015, when it won its first eight games and won the AFC North with
a 12-4 record.
Taylor hopes the camaraderie and bonding from the international trip will serve
as a springboard for the rest of the season.
"It seemed like they spent a lot of time together outside the hotel. My
favorite part of winning a game like that with the long travel is the plane,
just the volume and camaraderie on the plane," Taylor said. "I certainly felt
that last night when I'm sitting in my seat and watching all the players come
by, the attitude they have, joking with their teammates and telling stories
about the week or telling stories about the game."
The Bengals have won four straight with at least 30 points scored for the first
time in the franchise's 59-season history. Joe Burrow has a 77% completion rate
during the winning streak with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions. Tee
Higgins has hauled in five touchdowns, and Ja'Marr Chase has 32 receptions for
435 yards and four touchdowns.
The defense has done its part during the win streak, forcing eight turnovers
along with seven sacks.
Teams playing the week after winning an international game are 17-9, according
to Sportradar, but the Steelers will be rested after their bye week and will
look to sweep the season series after a 30-27 victory in Pittsburgh on Sept. 27.
Taylor has already adjusted the week's practice schedule. Wednesday will be a
late afternoon walkthrough before normal practices on Thursday and Friday.
"I think common sense would tell you it's probably a little challenging (coming
back after being abroad), but again, I think we have a great mindset right now.
We just got to keep building off these wins we've had," Taylor said. "It's a
great opportunity for us to be back here in front of our fans, and our players
will be fired up and ready to go."
What's working The offense is 28 of 44 on third down conversions during the four-game winning streak. The 63.6% conversion rate leads the league during that span and is well above the league average of 39.3%.
What needs help Atlanta's Bijan Robinson had the ninth 100-yard rushing game against the Bengals since the start of last season, which is the most in the league. It is also the second straight game an opposing back has gone over the century mark after Tennessee's Tony Pollard had 117 rushing yards in Week 8. Things don't get any easier against Pittsburgh, as Jaylen Warren has gone over 100 yards in two of the past three meetings against Cincinnati.
Stock up CB Josh Newton bounced back after struggling against the Titans. He played 56 of 62 snaps, mostly at slot corner, and was solid in coverage. He was targeted three times and allowed two receptions for 30 yards.
Stock down CB DJ Turner picked up two pass interference penalties, both on Atlanta's touchdown drives. He has three on the season, which is tied for seventh most in the league.
Injuries Guard Dylan Fairchild suffered a chest/shoulder injury late in Sunday's game, but Taylor had no update on the second-year lineman's status going into the week. Safety Kyle Dugger has missed two games with a quadriceps issue.
Key number 4: Times a quarterback in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) has led the league in completions, passing yards per game and passing touchdowns. Burrow currently leads the league with a 73.0% completion rate, 298.3 passing yards per game, and 23 TD throws. The previous time it happened was in 2011, by Drew Brees.
Up next The Bengals will host the Steelers with the AFC North lead at stake. Pittsburgh has won three of its past four trips to Cincinnati. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
What's working The offense is 28 of 44 on third down conversions during the four-game winning streak. The 63.6% conversion rate leads the league during that span and is well above the league average of 39.3%.
What needs help Atlanta's Bijan Robinson had the ninth 100-yard rushing game against the Bengals since the start of last season, which is the most in the league. It is also the second straight game an opposing back has gone over the century mark after Tennessee's Tony Pollard had 117 rushing yards in Week 8. Things don't get any easier against Pittsburgh, as Jaylen Warren has gone over 100 yards in two of the past three meetings against Cincinnati.
Stock up CB Josh Newton bounced back after struggling against the Titans. He played 56 of 62 snaps, mostly at slot corner, and was solid in coverage. He was targeted three times and allowed two receptions for 30 yards.
Stock down CB DJ Turner picked up two pass interference penalties, both on Atlanta's touchdown drives. He has three on the season, which is tied for seventh most in the league.
Injuries Guard Dylan Fairchild suffered a chest/shoulder injury late in Sunday's game, but Taylor had no update on the second-year lineman's status going into the week. Safety Kyle Dugger has missed two games with a quadriceps issue.
Key number 4: Times a quarterback in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) has led the league in completions, passing yards per game and passing touchdowns. Burrow currently leads the league with a 73.0% completion rate, 298.3 passing yards per game, and 23 TD throws. The previous time it happened was in 2011, by Drew Brees.
Up next The Bengals will host the Steelers with the AFC North lead at stake. Pittsburgh has won three of its past four trips to Cincinnati. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
