Cincinnati Bengals 3 Takeaways: Week 17 vs. Ravens

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Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) carries the ball for a touchdown in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The bengals won 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Takeaway #3: The Run Game Still Has Life

Jeremy Hill showed up to play on Sunday against the Ravens and found plenty of room to do so. His 96 yards and one touchdown, which he ran on 4th and a yard for 38 of his yards, led the team this week and put a bow on a well needed bounce back win at home.

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He average six yards per carry on 16 carries and made an impact in the passing game for 19 yards on two catches. The Bengals run game had slipped for two games prior to a bounce back week in Denver running for 77 yards. However, this weeks impressive 132 yard performance sets the tone for their wild card game.

Giovani Bernard has taken a back seat late in the season to Jeremy Hill but his six carries for 36 yards and one catch for 12 yards helped move the ball. It is proof that Thunder and Lighting have the potential to be an effective running tandem when they can get going.

If there is one thing that the Bengals lacked against the Steelers in week 14, it was a solid run game. The Bengals rushing tandem only accounted for 56 yards on the ground, something they should not be proud of. Even if they can get to their week eight yards gained on the ground to 72, it is 16 yards that could put them in a position to gain a couple more first downs or even a touchdown.

The Bengals and Steelers face off on Saturday night February 9th at 8:15pm. It will hopefully be a night of celebration for the team and the city of Cincinnati when the dust settles.