Postgame Observations: Bengals' Defense Steps Up, Joe Burrow Starts Hot in 17-13 Win Over Seahawks

Cincinnati is 3-3 on the season.

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Oct 15, 2023 3:53 PM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bengals' offense started hot and the defense slammed the door in Sunday's 17-13 win over the Seahawks.

Cincinnati's defense got two red zone stops inside the 10-yard line in the final 2:02 to secure the win.

B.J. Hill hit Geno Smith on 4th-and-8 to force a turnover on downs with just 41 seconds left.

Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard sacked Smith in the red zone on an earlier possession to keep Seattle's offense from scoring with 2:02 remaining, as Cincinnati held on for their third victory of the season.

They improve to 3-3 on the year. Here are our postgame observations:

Defense Steps Up

The Bengals' defense held Seattle to just three second half points. They also had two second half interceptions and forced a turnover on downs.

They finished with four sacks and 12 quarterback hits.

Offense Starts Fast

Joe Burrow completed 18-of-22 first half passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He completed passes to nine different receivers, including two rookies: Chase Brown and Andrei Iosivas. Burrow completed 15-straight passes at one point.

Seattle scored a touchdown on their opening drive. Burrow and the Bengals' offense answered on the ensuing possession.

They drove 65 yards on 13 plays and tied the game when Burrow found Tyler Boyd for an 8-yard touchdown.

Burrow completed 9-of-11 passes for 58 yards on the opening drive. They picked up right where they left off last week against the Cardinals.

Their hot start continued on their second possession. The defense forced a 3-and-out, then the offense went 73-yards in just seven plays and Burrow found Andrei Iosivas for a 3-yard touchdown.

Cam Time

Cam Taylor-Britt stepped up for a Bengals' defense that desperately needed it. He finished with six tackles, three passes defensed and one interception.

Taylor-Britt had a nice pass breakup on the end zone against Tyler Lockett. He also knocked the ball away from D.K. Metcalf on a deep pass in the first quarter.

Offense Stalls

The Bengals' offense got stuck in the mud after a hot start on their first two possessions.

Cincinnati punted four times on their next five drives with the other ending in a Burrow interception. They kicked a field goal early in the fourth quarter after not moving the ball following Taylor-Britt's interception.

They also had a 15 second possession late in the game after Hendrickson and Hubbard sacked Smith to end the Seahawks threat in the red zone.

Key Injury

Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. suffered a groin injury in the second half and didn't return. Cody Ford replaced him on the left side of the line.

Up Next

The Bengals are on a bye in Week 7. They play the 49ers in San Francisco on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 4:25 p.m. ET.

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