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5 Takeaways From Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 16 Win

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5 Takeaways From Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 16 Win

Andy Dalton
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The defense ran riot, the jungle was rumbling and Peyton Manning suffocated under the pressure. The Cincinnati Bengals finally earned their signature win on the back of power running and excellent containment. Next stop: The playoffs. But how did they get there?

5. Dalton Wasn’t The Problem Nor The Solution

Andy Dalton
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

5. Dalton Wasn’t The Problem Nor The Solution

Andy Dalton
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a staple of Andy Dalton’s career so far in the NFL to mix in a little of the good and bad every game. Monday's fair showing against the Denver Broncos wasn’t any exception. He had some good runs out of the read option and threw some safe screens and check-downs, but also looked hurried and made poor decisions tossing the ball down the field. Come playoffs, being the guy who simply “doesn’t lose” the game might not be good enough.

4. Cincinnati Defense

Carlos Dunlap, Peyton Manning
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

4. Cincinnati Defense

Carlos Dunlap, Peyton Manning
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

What could easily be good enough, though, is this Cincinnati defense. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther and his players spent the better part of three hours harassing Peyton Manning with disguised looks up front and ball-hawking secondary play, not unlike what the Legion of Boom has founded in Seattle. Plays that started off as incomplete passes and hurried throws manifested themselves into sacks and picks as the game wore on.

3. The Offense Can Manage Without A.J. Green

AJ Green
Rob Lelfhelt-USA TODAY Sports

3. The Offense Can Manage Without A.J. Green

AJ Green
Rob Lelfhelt-USA TODAY Sports

Adding injury to insult on Dalton’s early pick-six was the bicep injury to superstar wideout A.J. Green. He re-entered the game at multiple points soon after, but never looked comfortable enough to continue. The offense has already spent time this season functioning without their greatest weapon, and managed just fine with the legs of Jeremy Hill and the hands of Mohamed Sanu.

2. “Smash-And-Dash” Form A Formidable Duo

Jeremy Hill
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

2. “Smash-And-Dash” Form A Formidable Duo

Jeremy Hill
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Does the Bengals’ dangerous 1-2 combination at running back have a nickname yet? No? Well they do now. Hill showed exactly why he deserves the starting role, rushing for 147 yards on only 22 carries, including a Marshawn Lynch-esque 85-yard score to set the tone early. With the zippy Bernard in the backfield, Cincy looks to be running out of a completely different playbook. These two will need to further prove their worth in January.

1. Next Week’s Winner Will Progress Deep Into The Playoffs

Domata Peko
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

1. Next Week’s Winner Will Progress Deep Into The Playoffs

Domata Peko
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Prime time or no prime time, the Bengals must now defend their AFC North title against the Steelers in a curtain-closing blockbuster next week. Maybe it’s because they’ll be battled-hardened. Maybe it’s from the confidence boost they’ll receive. Either way, it just feels like next week’s victor will fight their way into at least the conference championship game. Get comfortable -- it’s going to be a cracker.

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