Grading the Bengals' loss to the Jets: Who stood out, who struggled in Week 8

Kelsey Conway

Cincinnati Enquirer

The Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) loss to the New York Jets (2-5) was surprising and disappointing in many aspects.

Several players on the defensive side of the ball didn't tackle well as the Bengals missed 15 tackles and were unable to generate a pass rush like we've seen in previous weeks. On offense, although Cincinnati was able to score 31 points, the unit could have played better in the following areas: Third down (4-of-10), red zone ( 4-of-6), fourth down (0-for-1) and rushing yards (41). 

In order to improve to 3-0 in the AFC North and beat the Cleveland Browns (4-4) on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium, the Bengals collectively need to play a much cleaner game. 

Here's a look at who stood out and who didn't in the Week 8 loss to the Jets at MetLife Stadium: 

Top defensive player of the game: D.J. Reader 

The Bengals weren't able to see the full impact D.J. Reader could have in their defense in his first season with the team. Reader suffered a season-ending quad injury in the fifth game of the 2020 season. Not only has Reader shown his importance to Cincinnati's defense, he's playing as good as any defensive tackle in the NFL this season. Per Pro Football Focus, Reader recorded five quarterback hurries, the most of any player on the Bengals' roster, and was given the second-highest defensive grade for the Bengals against the run. Not only is Reader important in the run game, he's evolving as a pass rusher also and it's a big reason Cincinnati's defensive line is playing at a high level. 

Good days for: Jonah Williams, Riley Reiff 

Cincinnati's offensive line problems aren't coming from their tackles this year. Third-year left tackle Jonah Williams and veteran right tackle Riley Reiff were Cincinnati's two highest-graded offensive line players against the Jets, according to Pro Football Focus. To show just how solid Reiff and Williams were, let's take a look at the disparity in the numbers: Reiff earned an 81.2 grade and Williams with a 73.8 grade in pass blocking. The next best offensive lineman, Quinton Spain, earned a 66.0 grade in pass blocking. 

X-Factor: Tyler Boyd

Typically, when Tyler Boyd touches the ball, good things happen for the Bengals. That was certainly the case in New Jersey as Boyd not only made plays catching the ball, he also threw a pass that resulted into a game-changing momentum play for Cincinnati. Boyd recorded five catches for 69 yards and one touchdown. He threw a 46-yard pass to running back Joe Mixon on a trick play. Boyd earned 71.2 grade overall for his performance and was Pro Football Focus' second-highest graded Bengals player on offense. 

The not so good 

A rough day on offense for: Jackson Carman, Trey Hopkins 

The second-round pick, Jackson Carman, and the veteran, Trey Hopkins, have been a liability at times for the Bengals' offensive line. Most of the time when quarterback Joe Burrow is getting pressured, it's coming from up the middle where those two sit. Carman and Hopkins were the two lowest-graded offensive linemen for the Bengals in pass blocking. Burrow was sacked three times in the loss. Hopkins was also particularly bad in the run game as well as he earned a 48. 3 grade for his performance and was the lowest-graded player on the Bengals' roster in the run game. 

A rough day on defense for: Logan Wilson, Akeem Davis-Gaither 

After Sunday's game, it became evident what teams view as Cincinnati's weak spot on defense is: The linebackers. The Jets attacked the the Bengals at the second level all game. The Bengals gave up 511 yards of total offense to a quarterback who had never started a game before, Mike White, and a rookie running back in Michael Carter. Logan Wilson led the team in missed tackles with three. Akeem Davis-Gaither recorded two of the 15 missed tackles also. Wilson was also given the Bengals' second-lowest grade in run defense, according to Pro Football Focus. 

Mel Tucker's huge win over rival Michigan

Cory Linsner 

October 31, 2021 1:32 pm ET

Mel Tucker has become the first coach in Michigan State history to win his first two games against in-state rival Michigan. It was a massive win for the Spartans to improve to 8-0 and position themselves to compete for a Big Ten title in the month of November.

Michigan State overcame a 16-point deficit in the game, at one point trailing 30-14 late in the third quarter, and ended the game on a 23-3 run, taking home the win 37-33.

An emotional win for the Michigan State football program, and a statement win for Mel Tucker’s tenure at the helm in East Lansing.

The grades are in: Best offensive, defensive players for Bengals in Week 7 win over Ravens

 

Kelsey Conway

Cincinnati Enquirer

 

As head coach Zac Taylor said to his team following the 41-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals played their most complete game of the season. 

Several players stepped up and led the way for the Bengals to take over as the top team in the AFC North and the No. 1 seed in the AFC. 

Here's an in-depth look at the players who stood out in the Bengals' Week 7 win over the Baltimore Ravens: 

Best overall offensive player: Ja’Marr Chase

Cincinnati’s star rookie wide receiver recorded eight catches for 201 yards and a touchdown against Marlon Humphrey, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Chase earned an 89.2 grade from Pro Football Focus and now leads the AFC in receiving yards with 754 on the year. The No. 5 overall pick is well on the way to securing the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Top offensive line performance: Riley Reiff

The acquisition of Riley Reiff in free agency is proving to be one of the most important moves the team made. Reiff anchors the right side of the offensive line for Joe Burrow and he had one of his best games against the Ravens. Burrow was sacked one time against a defense that’s known for its pressure packages. Reiff earned the highest grade (74.5) in run blocking for the Bengals. Trey Hopkins and Quinton Spain were the only two offensive linemen who earned higher grades in pass blocking.

Defensive players of the game:

Chidobe Awuzie

Cincinnati has found its No. 1 cornerback in Chidobe Awuzie. There hasn’t been a week where Awuzie is a liability in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s defense. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is playing at a high level finding his weapons all over the field. Awuzie limited Jackson and his receivers’ opportunities and earned an 84.2 grade in coverage. The Bengals have one of the best pass rushing units in the NFL and having Awuzie anchor the secondary is a key reason the defense is having the success they are.

Larry Ogunjobi

It’s not always flashy but Larry Ogunjobi has provided a massive boost to the Bengals’ interior defensive line. Ogunjobi and D.J. Reader are stout against the run and play with a physical mentality that sets the tone for the unit. Ogunjobi was given a 76.4 grade against the run and was Cincinnati’s highest-graded run defender according to Pro Football Focus. Outside of Lamar Jackson’s 88 yards, the Bengals limited the Ravens to 29 yards on the ground. He was also credited with three quarterback hurries.

Vonn Bell

Vonn Bell is one of the Bengals’ captains on defense and as one of the leaders of the team, how he plays carries a lot of weight for the team. Bell played his best game of the season against the Ravens, especially in the run game and applying pressure when his name was called upon. Bell was also the Bengals’ best tackler in Baltimore.