Cincinnati Bengals Weekly MVPs
Rookie MVP: Evan McPherson
Ja’Marr Chase did find the end zone once in this game, but there was no way we could give this weekly MVP to anyone but Evan McPherson. He did something that has only been done minimal times in the NFL, having three made field goals of 50+ yards.
McPherson nailed 54, 53, 51-yard kicks along with a 47-yard kick. He did miss an extra point, but one slip-up does not deflate the terrific game he had all together. McPherson was precisely what the Bengals needed when they drafted him in the NFL draft and has proven that.
Kickers impact the game more than many people realize, and McPherson has put that claim on display with the Bengals this year. Him making clutch kick after clutch kick has put his team in positions to win and seal multiple games.
Taylor even sets up plays that lead to field goals now because of his trust in his kicker. For example, the Bengals had a 3rd and long around mid-field, and instead of taking a shot down the field to get a first down, they did a little bubble screen to Samaje Perine that set up a 51-yard kick that put the Bengals in a position to make it a two-possession game.
Cincinnati could never do those things with Randy Bullock and Mike Nugent as their kicker; this is an opportunity the Bengals have created for themselves for a long time down the line by drafting McPherson.