Cincinnati Bengals: 4 bold predictions for Week 5 versus the Cardinals
By Steve Rivera
Given the downward trajectory of the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Mixon might be someone to be excited about. The running game that was absent for the first two weeks of the season is beginning to find some daylight, meaning in Week 5, it might be the lone reason to be excited.
That’s the “lone reason.” Both singular, and stunningly disappointing after a Week 1 where the bandwagon was overflowing. Now, heading into a Week 5 deathmatch of teams without a win, Mixon might be their best hope.
In consecutive weeks, Mixon has shown some significant improvement. Perhaps minimal based on what other teams are doing, but significant on this 0-4 squad. Against Buffalo, he rushed for 60 yards on 15 carries. Against the Steelers, a bad loss for the Bengals, he ran for 62 yards. It’s a positive trend. Against a Cardinals defense nearly as bad, a big day could be on deck.
Give Mixon some credit. After a dumpster fire kind of performance in their Week 2 home opener against the San Francisco 49ers, he’s rebounded. That’s a good sign for a team with few positives. He is still in a position to make a significant mark on a team that is likely headed for a significant rebuild. Making his role moving forward important.