Cincinnati Bengals: Takeaways and reactions from Week 1 vs. Colts
By Kenn Korb
Let’s look back at the Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 1 victory over the Indianapolis Colts and observe some notable takeaways from the 34-23 contest.
The NFL season has finally begun ladies and gents, and the outlook is still full of optimism for the Cincinnati Bengals. Unlike 2017, where their rivals from Baltimore shut the team out 20-0 on their home turf to kick off an 0-3 beginning to the year, 2018 begins with a win against an Indianapolis team which is once again headed by Andrew Luck.
Say what you will about that roster right now, but when the Colts’ franchise signal-caller is behind center they have a chance to beat just about anybody. To put in simple terms: a victory here is a positive step forward for a Cincinnati team which hasn’t had much to be excited about or inspired by for two years running.
Let’s delve into the details and see how the 34-23 win came to pass.
Top Names Lead The Way
The Bengals, when they have done well this decade, have long been a team built on the success of a few big names who lead the charge towards victory in a major way. This game was no different. Outside of Andy Dalton, who are the first players you would probably name when discussing who would be important to Cincinnati’s success this year? In some order, they probably are A.J. Green, Joe Mixon, John Ross, Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins.
For this victory against Indianapolis, they are exactly the ones who led the way in the win. Green led the way in terms of receptions (6) and receiving yardage (92) for Cincinnati, and caught one of Dalton’s two touchdown passes. Ross caught Dalton’s other touchdown pass.
Mixon averaged 5.6 yards per carry while picking up 95 yards and a touchdown on the ground; along the way he also picked up five receptions for 54 yards and had multiple 20+ yard plays. Dunlap had a sack, a tackle for loss, a pass knockdown and a QB hit from off the edge of the defensive line. Atkins had Cincinnati’s other sack, two tackles for loss and three QB hits.
There may be other guys who technically hold more important roles for the team this year (Cordy Glenn or Billy Price along the overhauled offensive line, William Jackson III as the shutdown corner), but every one of these guys needs to have great years for Cincinnati to turn around their luck and return to playoff contention. If this game against Indianapolis is any indication, these important pieces are on the right track to make that a reality.