Bengals: Five keys to victory over the Browns on TNF in week two
By Aaron Burd
Get Tyler Boyd involved early and often
Going into the 2020 season, many expected fifth-year receiver Tyler Boyd to overtake A.J. Green as the Bengals’ top receiver. In week one, that idea seems to have been misguided.
Despite camp reports of a great connection between Boyd and Joe Burrow, he was not targeted once in the first half. In the second half, he got more involved but only ended up with four receptions for 33 yards.
Perhaps this disappointing performance by Boyd could be attributed to the offense’s slow start and not be a sign of things to come. Burrow was only given 2.21 seconds per pass as the Chargers’ pass rush demolished the Bengals offensive line and the passing game struggled. Once the line got its act together, Boyd became more involved.
With Green showing himself to be healthy, the Bengals are back to having a dangerous duo at receiver. Against an injured Browns secondary, that duo will need to get going for Burrow to succeed in his first primetime showing. That should start with getting Boyd involved early and often.
Burrow can have a big game against the Browns if he can display his camp connection with Boyd. If that happens, the rookie quarterback can get the first win of his career under the bright lights of primetime football for everyone to see.