Bengals defense minimizing points following turnovers

The Bengals defense is fifth in the NFL this season in points allowed after a turnover.

The Bengals are eighth in the NFL in 2020 with 17 turnovers. The Cincinnati defense has risen to the occasion allowing 2.3 points per turnover which is tied for fifth in the NFL. On Sunday, the Bengals defense kept them in the game allowing just six points on the three turnovers by the offense.

Turnovers by the offense often put a team’s defense at a disadvantage inflating where a team could be ranking in points allowed. The Cincinnati defense ranks 20th in the NFL with opponents starting drives at their 36.85 yardline. Where teams start drives is a team effort from the offense, defense and special teams.

The Bengals are 28th in the NFL with a turnover deficit of six. The 17 turnovers have resulted in 46 points. Sixteen turnovers have been by the offense and one by special teams. Baltimore had the only return TD against Cincinnati this year on an interception return by linebacker Patrick Queen.

Opposing offenses have scored three touchdowns and converted six turnovers into field goals this season. Three of the Bengals turnovers came late in the game and the opponent eventually took a knee and ran out the clock. The most glaring of those was on Sunday against the New York Giants with a chance to win the game.

With the ball at the 50 yardline trailing 19-17, Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen fumbled after a sack that lost 10 yards and Giants defensive end Leonard Williams recovered at the Cincinnati 37. The Giants ran out the clock from there securing the victory. It was the most costly Bengals turnover of the season.

With 57 seconds left in the game, the Bengals needed only about 20 yards to put themselves in field goal range for Randy Bullock to attempt the game-winner. Bullock made a 44-yard field goal earlier in the game after making just one of three the previous week against Washington.