NFL Cincinnati Bengals

Jeremy Hill Is Key To Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 12 Win

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The Cincinnati Bengals hold a slim lead in the closest division in football entering Week 12. The Bengals sit atop the AFC North with a 6-3-1 record and have all three division rivals on their heels. In close playoff races every game down the stretch is vital, and running back Jeremy Hill is the key to Cincinnati getting their seventh win of the season this weekend when they travel to face the Houston Texans.

Hill’s workload has fluctuated over the season, because Giovani Bernard has been in and out of the lineup with injuries. Bernard is questionable for Sunday’s matchup in Texas, but expect Hill to be the featured back even if Bernard plays.

If there was to be one formula for Bengal success, it must start with the running game. The Bengals have averaged 142 rushing yards in their six wins. In fact, the Bengals have only rushed for less than 100 yards as a team four times, and three of those occasions were Cincinnati’s losses this year. If Cincinnati can run well they win; if they don’t, it’s an uphill battle.

The rookie Hill was nothing short of dynamic last week and posted his second career 100-yard game on the ground. With success to the tune of 5.6 yards per carry on 27 attempts last week, Hill has to see at least 20 carries against the Texans on Sunday.

The Texans’ defense has been decent against the run of late, but they still are prone to giving up big plays to opposing backs. An efficient run game fueled by Hill should establish a dangerous attack for the Bengals. Everyone knows how dangerous receiver A.J. Green is, and a big day on the ground for Hill will open up big play opportunities for Green down the field.

Hill has compiled 207 yards in his last two games, but he hasn’t found the end zone. Expect that to change and for Hill to score at least one touchdown against Houston. Regardless of how effective Hill is early, the Bengals cannot abandon their run game. When the Bengals limit their carries on the ground, it makes it much harder for them to win. Hill should have a very productive day on the ground, but the key is getting him the touches.

If Cincinnati sticks to their offensive game plan and runs the ball early and often, they should leave Houston with win No. 7. A win ensures that the Bengals remain at the top of their division for at least one more week. Hill will be the difference maker for the Bengals this weekend in a game that Cincinnati must win.

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