Who are the top-rated Bengals from Week 13?

The Cincinnati Bengals still have the same playoff-contending team after their Week 13 loss to the Chargers. Their identity hasn’t changed.

One defeat doesn’t change the fact that the Bengals have one of their most well-rounded rosters in recent history, and players on both sides of the ball delivered on Sunday.

Throughout this season, Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Mixon stole the headlines week after week, with each young star stamping his unique mark on the offense.

Against the Chargers, though, a few under-the-radar players got recognized for their productive efforts, as they rightfully should have.

These are the highest-graded Bengals players from Week 13, per PFF:

Cincinnati Bengals: Pratt, Higgins, and Apple top PFF rankings in Week 13

Despite giving up 41 points, the Bengals defense still gets a nod for making solid plays throughout the game.

Linebackers Germaine Pratt and Joe Bachie stepped up in the interior defense after Logan Wilson suffered an injury mid-game. Pratt and Bachie recorded nine tackles each and stood resolute against an Austin Ekeler-powered rushing offense.

Cornerback Eli Apple also impressed in Week 13, continuing his hot streak of productive performances in recent weeks. Apple didn’t nab an interception (Awuzie did), but he was excellent in coverage and got one pass defended. If Apple keeps it up, he could be in for a sweet signing bonus this offseason, which isn’t something any of us expected after his rough start.

Tee Higgins gets an apt 82.5 PFF grade after leading the team in receiving yards (138) and overall having a monster game; Joe Burrow also snaked his way into the mix even after throwing two picks.

The most incredible part of Burrow’s performance may have been him playing with a dislocated finger for most of the game, and somehow he still threw for 300 yards. Burrow showed his savvy tactical awareness by getting a rushing TD as well.

Burrow has been taking what the defense has given him in games prior, but he might need to create his own opportunities in Week 14, when the Bengals face another playoff contender in the San Francisco 49ers.