Analysis: Why the Bengals beat the Rams

The Cincinnati Bengals returned to a regularly scheduled game – meaning 1 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon – against a banged-up and overall mediocre St. Louis Rams squad and promptly got into the offensive rhythm they displayed in the better part of six games to start the season with a 31-7 victory.

A.J. Green caught his first touchdown since Nov. 1, Tyler Eifert extended his league-leading margin in touchdown receptions (now with 12) and Reggie Nelson set a career high with his sixth interception as the Bengals just overwhelmed the Rams.

Geno Atkins dominated the interior of the Rams' offensive line, which didn't give backup quarterback (and deposed starter) Nick Foles time to step into throws, and the secondary was in prime positions to intercept Foles three times. The defensive line as a whole just dominated, leaving star running back Todd Gurley with nowhere to run (19 yards).

Doc: 'Nice to sit back' during Bengals' win

Without defensive end Robert Quinn, the Bengals' offensive line was able to keep Andy Dalton clean, and the Bengals quarterback responded with a three-touchdown effort. Without starting corner Trumaine Johnson, the Rams' secondary was just overmatched, as nine different Bengals receivers caught passes.

Simply, the Bengals got back to looking like a Super Bowl contender by decimating a team that isn't as talented.

OWCZARSKI'S OBSERVATION

It's not a coincidence that Andy Dalton and the offense looked the smoothest it has in weeks on a day when he wasn't sacked. This happened with regularity during the first six weeks of the season, when the Bengals averaged 30.3 points per game while going 6-0. But from Nov. 1 in Pittsburgh through last Sunday in Arizona (four games), the Bengals averaged just 21 points while going 2-2. Protection is always key, but clearly it means quite a bit to this offense.

BENGALS GAME BALL

Geno Atkins. He doesn't say much – well, he doesn't say anything – but his play this year is screaming to be recognized. The Bengals' defensive tackle abused the interior of the Rams' offensive line to the tune of one sack and three tackles for loss, and he disrupted more than a handful of other pass and run plays.

Bengals' defensive line adjusts, dominates

THREE KEYS REVISTED

Gurley Gone: The Rams' super rookie running back was a complete non-factor. He rushed it just nine times for 19 yards (2.1 average) with a long of eight yards. He also caught one pass for 11 yards.

Subdue the line: For the first time since beating the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 18, Andy Dalton wasn't sacked. It helped that Robert Quinn was injured, but the rest of the Rams' formidable front four weren't, and Dalton was never in any real trouble. That allowed him to hit nine different receivers, and the Bengals' rush game to total 140 yards – the third-highest output of the year.

Get back on track: The Bengals did just that by starting fast on offense with the game's first score and taking a 17-7 first half lead. The rush game, behind Jeremy Hill (86 yards), was more than effective, and A.J. Green caught his first touchdown since Nov. 1. It's safe to say the Bengals got back on track, and quickly.

TWEET(S) OF THE GAME

If only to show just how badly the Rams botched the first touchdown of the day for the Bengals.

So, how open is that?

So open the Internet thought punter Kevin Huber scored. Wait, what?

VINE OF THE GAME

FIVE KEY NUMBERS

0

Sacks of Andy Dalton, the first time he was unscathed since Week 6 in Buffalo.

6

Interceptions on the year by Reggie Nelson after his second-quarter pick, a career high.

9

Number of receivers Andy Dalton distributed the ball to.

10:23

Time of possession for the Bengals in the decisive second quarter in which they scored 10 points on 19 plays that spanned 129 yards.

140

Rush yards by the Bengals, their second highest total in the last nine games and third-highest total of the season.

QUOTE OF NOTE

"There's not typically a kicker on the practice squad or backups on the team, so they have to get somebody off the couch, and that's exactly where I was at. I was actually watching Arkansas play Missouri on Friday afternoon on the couch with my fiancée and her parents, and I got a call at 3 p.m. and hopped in the truck and headed to St. Louis." - Rams kicker Zach Hocker, who replaced an injured Greg Zuerlein on Sunday.

SONG OF THE GAME

It was 1 p.m. on Sunday and the Bengals beat the snot out of a bad team. So, here is Ben Selvin and the Crooners' "Happy Days are Here Again."