Analysis: Why the Bengals beat the Chiefs
The Bengals move to 4-0 for the first time since 2005, and do so with a quarterback playing as well as any season since Carson Palmer tore up the league. This served as another showing of the complete nature of this team. They didn't run the ball with dominance, but were able to punch it into the end zone four times on the ground.
The defense continues to be opportunistic and make plays when necessary. Seems whatever the weakness in the opponent, the Bengals have been able to exploit it through their 4-0 start. Today, it was the Chiefs' struggling offensive line and conservative offense. That meant five sacks for a loss of 38 yards.
Through four games, they've only really been faced with one dramatic finish. They've turned the others into foregone conclusions.
Cincinnati now owns a two-game lead in the AFC North, with Seattle coming to town this week. The assessment by John Harbaugh that this is the most talented roster in football looks less and less like conjecture as they cruise into October. The Bengals outclassed Kansas City. We learn much more about this team next Sunday.
Bengals now 4-0 with 36-21 victory over Chiefs
GAME BALL: Andy Dalton
Fans and pundits wait for the other shoe to drop on Andy Dalton. Four games in, it has not. In fact, he's raised his level of play to unprecedented levels. Dalton finished with a passer rating over 115 for the fourth consecutive game. That's the first time in his career he's had a streak of four. When the Bengals had to have a play, he provided it. His continued improvisation skills kept drives going and delivered the offensive play of the day when he broke free of the pocket to toss a dart to a diving Brandon Tate on the run.
At one point after he ran for a first down in the fourth quarter, he popped up with a confident point forward. This is the part of the difference in Dalton. The fire and confidence shows on a weekly basis now. No more than today.
DANCE OF THE GAME
Domata Peko notched a sack and tackle for loss in the first half. Both were followed by his latest dance. Names for this belly rub rumble are being accepted. Thus far, the Stanky Belly and Samoan Shuffle are leaders in the clubhouse.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
The Bengals continue to wonder what is and what isn't considered a catch. One week after a Tyler Eifert catch and dive into the end zone were nullified against Baltimore, causing confusion and controversy surrounding the rule league-wide, the Bengals thought they ended up on the other end of the conversation Sunday. A 20-yard reception by Jeremy Maclin was hauled in near the sideline, but after a hit from Reggie Nelson, the ball became dislodged as he hit the ground. The Bengals challenged, but it was still ruled a catch on the field.
To say whether the call was correct or not would mean anyone has an understanding of what the heck constitutes a catch in this league anymore. Maclin didn't complete the process of the catch through the ground, so that would seem to mean the call would be incomplete, but the crew of officials disagreed.
TWEET OF THE GAME
On the Jeremy Hill touchdown run at the end of the third quarter, the Chiefs were determined not to let A.J. Green beat them so they rolled out a straight double-team press as if he were a gunner on a punt. Hill ran the other direction for his 5-yard score.
THREE KEYS REVISITED
Slow Down Justin Houston: The Bengals did just that. Houston was rendered almost a non-factor. One week after Elvis Dumervil caused dozens of issues for the Ravens, Cincinnati concocted a plan to take him out of the game. Credit to Andre Smith who spent much of the day across from him.
Maintain Balance: The Bengals offense threw for 321 yards and ran for 124. Not only that, they ran 26 times and threw 24. They hit quality per play averages on both. Allowed Chiefs to pick their poison.
Tackle in the Secondary: This could have been better on a day receiver ran free in the defensive backfield. Luckily for the Bengals the sure tackling returned in the red zone forcing the Chiefs to settle for seven field goals.
PHOTO OF THE GAME
Our slick photographer Kareem Elgazzar perfectly captures the diving 55-yard touchdown reception by Brandon Tate.
FIVE KEY NUMBERS
0: Number of rushing touchdowns allowed by the Chiefs the first three weeks. The Bengals ran it in four times Sunday.
66-18: Combined score before halftime of the three Bengals’ games. They are still yet to allow a first-half TD.
15-2-1: Bengals home record the last three seasons. That's the fourth-best winning percentage in football over that time.
4: This marked the fourth time in franchise history the team started 4-0. The others (1975, 1988 and 2005) all ended with playoff berths and only in '75 did they not win the division.
11: Sacks for the Bengals after registering five Sunday. All 11 sacks this year have come from the defensive line.
QUOTE OF NOTE
Tyler Eifert on not scoring on his 30-yard reception in the fourth quarter Sunday:
"It’s funny, I probably catch more crap for not scoring or not making a move if I make a good play then I do when I miss a block or something. everybody has something to say. doesn’t matter. Happy to get the first down and happy we got in the end zone."
SONG OF THE GAME: "On to the next one" by Jay-Z
A.J. Green said it and this game felt like it the moment the score went final. The Bengals were the better team and made it apparent in a game devoid of drama. Meanwhile, a massive matchup with Seattle looms on the horizon. On to the next one.
