This is the big black spot for the Bengals this season. They had yet to win a single home game all year. This bad streak ended tonight with a resounding 41-24 victory over the Raiders. The defense has finally shown its claws while Joe Burrow, even without Tee Higgins, continues to rank among the best quarterbacks in the league this season.
On the Raiders side, the first drive led by Gardner Minshew was successful. But then they were only shadows of themselves. They scored nothing other than a field goal and a miraculous pick six at the end of the game. The Bengals defense, and more particularly the heavy pressure exerted by Trey Hendrickson, completely muzzled the Las Vegas attack. Hendrickson, with four sacks recorded, takes the lead in the rankings this season.
The Bengals respond
It was the Raiders who struck first. Getting off to a bad start, Antonio Pierce's men took advantage of pass interference from the Bengals defense to push into enemy territory. Zamir White is at the conclusion on a small push from one yard. The tiger's response, however, was not long in coming. Led by a surprising duo Joe Burrow (27/39, 251 yards, 5 TD, 1 Int) / Chase Brown (27 races, 120 yards, 5 receptions, 37 yards, 1 TD), the Bengals responded immediately. It is precisely Chase Brown who catches the equalizing touchdown in the opposing end zone.
Despite good attempts to try to regain the lead, Gardner Minshew (10/17, 124 yards) was held in check by the Bengals' good aerial coverage. The Raiders have to punt for the first time and Cincinnati takes the opportunity to take a slight advantage thanks to a field goal from Evan McPherson. However, things remain under control for the Raiders as Daniel Carlson also scores a field goal.
With three minutes on the clock, the Bengals have one last opportunity to take the lead before halftime. And it is Andrei Iosivas who will seize this opportunity by diving into the end zone after a 10-yard reception. Bengals advantage when entering the locker room with a score of 17 to 10.
Joe Burrow drives the point home
Back on attack after the break, the Bengals do not take their foot off the accelerator. Joe Burrow this time finds Drew Sample in the paint to give his team some breathing space. Conversely, Las Vegas is sinking. On the next drive, Minshew's transmission slipped from his runner's hands, and rolled behind the Raiders' backs. Logan Wilson recovers for Cincinnati and gives the ball back to Joe Burrow on the opposing 20 yards.
The leader of the Bengals drives home the point with a touchdown delivered in the hands of Mike Gesicki (5 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TDs). The Raiders are sinking offensively and are no longer advancing. The two teams continued to exchange punts, until cornerback Jack Jones appeared out of nowhere and intercepted a screen pass from Burrow to head straight for pick six. Nice start for the Raiders who are still 14 points behind. Cincinnati continues its series of punts while Desmond Ridder (11/16, 74 yards, 1 TD) takes his place to try to get back on track. But his hopes will be annihilated in an instant by the monster Trey Hendrickson, who records his third sack of the game.
To end the suspense, Joe Burrow will again find Mike Gesicki on a 47-yard bomb. And as if that wasn't enough, Hendrickson will even add to the sauce by recording his fourth sack of the game for a fumble on Ridder, covered by Logan Wilson. Evan McPherson continues with another field goal to increase the score to 41-17. And the Raiders finally saved the honor less than a minute from the end with a touchdown for Brock Bowers.
