Joe Burrow’s Return Sparks Confidence as Bengals’ O-line Dominates Ravens in Thanksgiving Victory
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals showcased a remarkable transformation in their offensive line, culminating in a dominant performance against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving. Emerging from this game with a 4-8 record, the Bengals’ O-line now boasts an impressive 11th overall ranking by PFSN. Under the guidance of coach Scott Peters, the unit has developed a strong chemistry, significantly bolstered by the recent presence of quarterback Joe Flacco, who filled in for the injured Joe Burrow.
Flacco’s Impact on the Offensive Line
During his time on the field, Flacco demonstrated the ability to release the ball quickly, which directly contributed to a notable reduction in the team’s sack rate. Now sitting at 5.5%, the Bengals rank ninth in the NFL for this statistic. Burrow’s return to action on Thursday proved fruitful, as he managed to avoid being sacked even once throughout the game.
Running back Chase Brown also praised the improved play of the offensive line, which has propelled the Bengals into the ranks of the top three rushing offenses in terms of expected points added per carry and success rate. Although the team averaged only 3.9 yards per carry against the Ravens, the effectiveness of the line ensured that the defense remained stretched, allowing the Bengals to score an impressive 32 points.
A New Tempo Fuels Success
Reflecting on the recent surge in performance, Brown remarked, “I found a tempo that I wasn’t really using at the start of this season. It’s allowing the O-line to really dominate and get their blocks set and get up to the second level.” He noted the confusion it has caused among opposing linebackers, who have been left second-guessing their movements. “They’re jumping one way, and we’re going the other. It feels really good. But it’s not all me; it’s the O-line playing at a really high level.”
As Burrow continues to acclimate back into the lineup, the hope is that he can maintain that low sack rate. The positive impact of Peters’ hiring is already evident, as it appears the offensive line is no longer the Achilles’ heel of this Bengals team.
A Newfound Rhythm for Burrow
Following the victory, head coach Zac Taylor expressed his enthusiasm for Burrow’s performance. “It’s a lot of fun to watch Joe Burrow play football,” he said. “You could feel him get into a rhythm. Statistically, it’s not the best game we’ve ever had as an offense, but you could feel the rhythm he was in and the confidence he was in.” Taylor emphasized the importance of Burrow’s mobility, even during scrambles that gained four or five yards.
“This is a team that’s been believing all along. It’s never too late to get going. For us to find a win — we’ve got to piggy-back on this. The team’s got a lot of confidence. We’re going to continue to work and continue to fight.”
As the Bengals look to build on this momentum, the focus will remain on maintaining their offensive line’s performance and further integrating Burrow back into the offense in the weeks to come.
