Bengals: Ranking rookie performances in Week 4 win over Jaguars

Rookie Watch

1. Evan McPherson 

Evan McPherson didn’t have a perfect game but answering the bell after missing his first career kick from 43 yards away was big for the young kicker. He has only seen success early on this season so having some adversity is good for the rookie from Florida. It will only make him a better player.

McPherson made all three extra points attempted and hit the game-winning 35-yard field goal, which is now his second game-winning kick already this season after drilling one against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1. Both in front of the home crowd in Paul Brown Stadium.

The key takeaway from this is that it is a good sign of how comfortable the Bengals coaching staff and team are with putting the game in McPherson’s hands, or on his leg, rather. They have attempted kicks from 50+, and in this one, they played for the field goal, which speaks volumes to the trust and confidence Taylor has in him.

When the Bengals gained possession, there was 5:33 left to play. The Bengals wasted the entire clock, and with 1:00 left, instead of trying to score the touchdown, they let the clock milk down and decided to kick.

In the past, with some of the kickers Cincinnati has had, I don’t know if we would’ve seen that same approach which should relieve Bengals fans that the Queen City has finally found its starting kicker for the future.