Look: Joe Mixon Holding Back Bengals Rushing Attack in 2023

Cincinnati has held on to the veteran for far too long.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Publish date:
Nov 30, 2023 10:54 AM EST

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bengals have a clear running back problem and the deeper metrics bear that out. Cincinnati is one of the worst running teams in the NFL this season (75.8 YPG, worst in NFL by six yards)—despite ranking sixth in cumulative run-blocking rankings.

Ben Baldwin puts the metric together every week and it's clear Cincinnati's running back(s) aren't carrying their weight in this offense.

Joe Mixon is the same ineffective runner he was last season, checking in with the sixth most carries this campaign. Most of those haven't been pretty. According to PFF, among 41 qualified backs, Mixon ranks 31st in missed tackles forced per attempt, 28th in yards per carry, 36th in yards after contact per attempt, and 30th in breakaway percentage.

Last season, Mixon ranked 53rd out of 61 qualified backs in yards after contact per attempt, 49th in yards per carry, 31st in missed tackles forced, and 49th in breakaway percentage.

Nearly every week, there's a 20-plus yard run that Mixon only gets 4-5 yards out of.

He clearly does not have the same burst and breakaway ability as he did a few years ago, but per usual, the Bengals are holding on to a once-great player for too long. Chase Brown should get far more carries in this offense to see if he can maximize the solid run blocking through 11 games.

It's been time for fresh blood in the Bengals' running back room.

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