Highest-graded Bengals from Week 15

The Cincinnati Bengals have taken first place in the AFC North after their win against the Denver Broncos, and a handful of players deserve special recognition.

The Bengals grinded their way to a win against Denver, and their efforts paid off. Cincinnati now has a playoff berth, but the team couldn’t have gotten here without their highest-performing players.

Week 15’s game was rather bland for Joe Burrow, who only threw for 157 yards and one touchdown.

He went pick-free all game, though, which explains how he still ranks as one of PFF’s top Bengals on Sunday. Here are the rest:

These are the top-performing Cincinnati Bengals players from Week 15

Unsurprisingly, a member of Cincy’s secondary tops the list: cornerback Mike Hilton, who recorded four tackles and was solid in coverage for all four quarters.

Hilton was particularly adept at shutting down Broncos wideout Courtland Sutton and didn’t give Teddy Bridgewater any good downfield looks.

Offensive guard Fred Johnson takes second with an 82.8 PFF grade as he anchored the offensive line to keep Burrow protected in the pocket. The O-line as a whole deserves a medal for its efforts and continues to help Burrow play a clean game.

We’ve seen the other highest-graded players before. Burrow takes third with a passing quarterback grade, D.J. Reader comes in fourth, and Tyler Boyd rounds out the list.

Boyd outshined Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase in Week 15 with 96 yards and one touchdown, but even he would say the offense thrived from players’ collective efforts. When opponents double team Chase or Higgins, Burrow still has a very capable pass-catcher in Boyd, and Boyd delivered a sneaky stutter step to break free of his defender and score.

Up next, the Bengals play a division-deciding matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Cincinnati’s heroes on both sides of the ball should be ready to defend the team’s AFC North position.