The Cincinnati Bengals are in first place in the AFC North, and their contingent of former Ohio State football players helped them get there.
Sam Hubbard and Joe Burrow were among the Buckeye Bengals who had big days as they rolled to a 41-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens, moving Cincinnati to 5-2 on the season with a head-to-head advantage over the Ravens, who are also 5-2.
Burrow's hot hand and Ja'Marr Chase's scary skills were too much for the Baltimore Ravens in Cincinnati's 41-17 victory. Burrow lit the Ravens' defense up for a career-high 416 yards and three touchdowns.
Burrow and Chase, who played together at LSU after Burrow transferred from Ohio State to the bayou, connected eight times for 201 yards as the rookie receiver eclipsed the 200-yard mark for the first time in his NFL career. Former Auburn tight end C.J. Uzomah was also a key contributor for the Bengals as Burrow found Uzomah for two touchdowns on National Tight Ends Day.
JA'MARR CHASE CANNOT BE STOPPED. #RuleTheJungle
— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2021
: #BALvsCIN on CBS
: NFL app pic.twitter.com/CUraDu6WvG
Hubbard and the rest of Cincinnati's defense held Lamar Jackson to just one passing touchdown. Although Jackson racked up 345 total yards, the Ravens only scored 17 points and Hubbard took down Jackson for a career-high 2.5 sacks.
Sam Hubbard had a career-high 2.5 sacks today to help lead the Cincinnati Bengals who are now leading the AFC North to a 41-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens. https://t.co/ItAImVz8AI
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) October 24, 2021
Hubbard also broke up a pass in the impressive victory against Baltimore.
After Week 7, Hubbard has collected four sacks in 2021 and is on pace to break his personal best of 8.5 sacks in 2019.
The Bengals (5–2) should have a good chance to win three consecutive games for the first time with Burrow as their starting quarterback when they face the lowly Jets (1–5) next week.
Joe Burrow vs Baltimore: 23-38, 416 yards, 3 TD-1 INT
— (@FTBVids_YT) October 24, 2021
217 AIR - 199 YAC
Behind LOS: 1-1, 2 yds
0-9 YDS: 14-20, 208 yds, 1 TD
10-19 YDS: 6-10, 124 yds, 1 TD
20+ YDS: 2-5, 82 yds, 1 TD-1 INTpic.twitter.com/ig75E1sGip
The last time the Bengals won three consecutive games was when they came out on top in the last two games of 2017 and were victorious in their 2018 season opener. To find the last time the franchise won three consecutive games in the same season, you have to go back to 2015.
Ja'Marr Chase... GONE. pic.twitter.com/W2S7MjvmWh
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 24, 2021
(via @NFL)
Touchdown Terry keeps it going
The Washington Football Team took the L on Sunday, but it wasn't because of Terry McLaurin's play.
McLaurin had another big game as he snagged seven receptions for 122 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown. His performance helped the Washington Football Team's offense outgain the Green Bay Packers 430-304 in total yards. Amazingly, Washington's offense never punted, yet Green Bay still won the game 24-10.
How does this happen? Washington had back-to-back drives inside the Packers' five-yard line end without points. The WFT finished the day with five drives inside the Packers' 30-yard line that finished in futility.
HEINICKE TO MCLAURIN. WOW. #WashingtonFootball
— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2021
: #WASvsGB on FOX
: NFL app pic.twitter.com/5ltdT5JDFV
According to Pro Football Focus, McLaurin had 10 contested catches of 20+ yards in 2021 entering the matchup against the Packers.
SPOOKY SZN @TheTerry_25
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 24, 2021
: FOX | #WASvsGB pic.twitter.com/Uz8Oi3IoGZ
McLaurin is Washington's only real threat in the passing game and the WFT needs to find a Robin to its Batman. Adam Humphries was the second-most productive receiver in Lambeau Field with a paltry 36 yards.
Bears' line fails Fields
Justin Fields looked like a rookie quarterback on Sunday as the Chicago Bears were blitzed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 38-3. Blitzes are exactly what Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Todd Bowles dialed up as Fields was sacked four times, threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles.
During the 60 minutes of destruction, Fields was hit six times and barely had time to throw to his first read. The Ohio State alum finished the day with 184 passing yards in a forgettable performance.
Rough day at the office for the Bears offense pic.twitter.com/IB2sodC327
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 24, 2021
For fans of the Buckeyes, this game also represented the first time Tom Brady faced a quarterback from Ohio State since his days in Ann Arbor. Brady responded with four touchdowns and became the first quarterback in NFL history to eclipse 600 touchdown passes.
Go here if you want to see a graphic comparing Brady's touchdown total to all of Ohio State's quarterbacks in NFL history. Warning: It's quite disturbing.
Jerome Baker injures knee
In the first quarter of the game between the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons, Jerome Baker had to leave the game due to a knee injury. The injury occurred during the Falcons' second possession.
It’s the second straight week Baker has gotten dinged. The Dolphins' best linebacker also took a knock to the head, though he was able to return to the game, against the Jaguars in Week 6.
Dolphins LB Jerome Baker is heading back to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/Owt0Apvumb
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) October 24, 2021
Baker's MRI did not show structural damage and is not believed to have suffered a major injury, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Highlight Show
Need more Buckeye action from Week 7? The clips below share some of the highs and lows.
#Bengals Sam Hubbard with a great couple of plays, forcing Jackson to eat the ball and creating a sack. He added another sack on the following down, thanks to excellent coverage. Ravens eventually forced to punt. pic.twitter.com/hRgLDRdJeT
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) October 24, 2021
Bosa brings the pressure, Azeez grabs the INT
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 25, 2021
@A_train2_s 2nd career pick #INDvsSF on NBC pic.twitter.com/ioMD3CZOfG
Before you call out Justin Fields
— Bears Nation (3-4) (@BearsNationCHI) October 25, 2021
This is what hes been dealing with all season. pic.twitter.com/Lbj6g47HxX
#Gophers former DB Antoine Winfield Jr. w/ the strip sack on Justin Fields. #Buccaneers are happy he is healthy #NFL #GophersInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/2x87mYjgCT
— Ron Johnson (@3RonJohnson) October 24, 2021
Damon Webb out here doing things!#CFLGameday | @sskroughriders pic.twitter.com/m3hND6rYV9
— CFL (@CFL) October 24, 2021
| PLAYER | POS | TEAM | WEEK 6 STATS | SEASON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELI APPLE | CB | BENGALS | 1 tackle | 22 tackles, 3 PBU, 1 TFL |
| DAMON ARNETTE | CB | RAIDERS | IR (groin) | 4 tackles, 1 PBU |
| JEROME BAKER | LB | DOLPHINS | 1 tackle | 44 tackles, 1 sack (10 yards), 1 TFL, 6 QBH, 1 PBU, 1 FF |
| VONN BELL | S | BENGALS | 5 tackles | 43 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 PBU, 1 FF |
| TUF BORLAND | LB | VIKINGS | Bye | |
| JOEY BOSA | DE | CHARGERS | Bye | 19 tackles, 3.5 sacks (25 yards), 2 TFL, 8 QBH |
| NICK BOSA | DE | 49ERS | 4 tackles, 3 QBH | 23 tackles, 4 sacks (44 yards), 7 TFL, 12 QBH, 1 FF |
| NOAH BROWN | WR | COWBOYS | Bye | 5 catches, 83 yards |
| BARON BROWNING | LB | BRONCOS | Inactive | 1 tackle |
| PARRIS CAMPBELL | WR | COLTS | IR (foot) | 10 catches, 162 yards, 1 TD |
| JONATHON COOPER | LB | BRONCOS | 5 tackles, 3 QBH | 9 tackles, 3 QBH |
| WYATT DAVIS | OG | VIKINGS | Bye | 4 games played |
| TAYLOR DECKER | OT | LIONS | IR (finger) | |
| J.K. DOBBINS | RB | RAVENS | IR (knee) | |
| NATE EBNER | DB | GIANTS | 1 tackle | 2 tackles |
| PAT ELFLEIN | OG | PANTHERS | IR (hamstring) | 2 starts |
| EZEKIEL ELLIOTT | RB | COWBOYS | Bye | 102 rushes, 521 yards, 5 TD; 16 catches, 105 yards |
| LUKE FARRELL | TE | JAGUARS | Bye | 5 catches, 46 yards |
| JUSTIN FIELDS | QB | BEARS | 22/32 passing, 184 yards, 0 TD, 3 INT; 8 rushes, 38 yards | 75/131 passing, 816 yards, 2 TD, 6 INT; 35 rushes, 143 yards |
| JORDAN FULLER | S | RAMS | 9 tackles | 54 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 PBU |
| DaVON HAMILTON | DT | JAGUARS | Bye | 17 tackles, 1 PBU |
| JOHNATHAN HANKINS | DT | RAIDERS | 4 tackles | 16 tackles, 1 QBH |
| MALIK HARRISON | LB | RAVENS | 1 tackle | 19.5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QBH |
| DWAYNE HASKINS | QB | STEELERS | Inactive | |
| JAKE HAUSMANN | TE | GIANTS | Practice squad | |
| CAMERON HEYWARD | DT | STEELERS | Bye | 36 tackles, 2 sacks (14 yards), 2 TFL, 1 QBH, 4 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR |
| K.J. HILL | WR | CHARGERS | Bye | 3 catches, 30 yards; 3 KOR, 50 yards; 6 PR, 41 yards |
| JUSTIN HILLIARD | LB | GIANTS | IR (ankle) | 2 games played |
| JALYN HOLMES | DE | SAINTS | Monday Night Football | 1 tackle |
| MALIK HOOKER | S | COWBOYS | Bye | 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD |
| SAM HUBBARD | DE | BENGALS | 5 tackles, 2.5 sacks (5.5 yards), 2 TFL, 3 QBH, 1 PBU | 29 tackles, 4.0 sacks (18.0 yards), 4 TFL, 6 QBH, 1 PBU |
| CARLOS HYDE | RB | JAGUARS | Bye | 24 rushes, 108 yards; 2 catches, 14 yards |
| JONAH JACKSON | OG | LIONS | Started at LG | 7 starts |
| MALCOLM JENKINS | S | SAINTS | Monday Night Football | 35 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 TD |
| CAMERON JOHNSTON | P | TEXANS | 7 punts, 49.1 avg, 2 inside 20 | 36 punts, 45.8 avg, 15 inside 20 |
| DRE'MONT JONES | DT | BRONCOS | 2 tackles | 11 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 QBH |
| JAMARCO JONES | OT | SEAHAWKS | Monday Night Football | 1 start, 5 games played |
| MICHAEL JORDAN | OG | PANTHERS | Started at LG | 1 start, 2 games played |
| MARSHON LATTIMORE | CB | SAINTS | Monday Night Football | 16 tackles, 1 INT, 9 PBU |
| TYQUAN LEWIS | DT | COLTS | 1 tackle, 1 TFL, 1 QBH | 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks (2.5 yards), 2 TFL, 4 QBH, 1 PBU |
| COREY LINSLEY | C | CHARGERS | Bye | 6 starts |
| TERRY McLAURIN | WR | WFT | 7 catches, 122 yards, 1 TD | 40 catches, 550 yards, 4 TD |
| RAEKWON McMILLAN | LB | PATRIOTS | IR (knee) | |
| JAKE McQUAIDE | LS | COWBOYS | Bye | 1 tackle |
| JOSH MYERS | C | PACKERS | IR (knee) | 5 starts |
| ANDREW NORWELL | OL | JAGUARS | Bye | 6 starts |
| JEFF OKUDAH | CB | LIONS | IR (leg) | 4 tackles, 1 PBU |
| BILLY PRICE | C | GIANTS | Started at C | 6 starts |
| MALCOLM PRIDGEON | OG | STEELERS | Bye | |
| ISAIAH PRINCE | OT | BENGALS | Played on OL | 6 games played |
| BRADLEY ROBY | CB | SAINTS | Monday Night Football | 3 tackles, 1 sack (7 yards), 1 TFL, 1 QBH |
| CURTIS SAMUEL | WR | WFT | Inactive | 4 catches, 19 yards |
| C.J. SAUNDERS | WR | PANTHERS | Practice squad | |
| TREY SERMON | RB | 49ERS | Played on special teams | 21 rushes, 104 yards |
| KENDALL SHEFFIELD | CB | FALCONS | Inactive | 1 game played |
| JOHN SIMON | LB | TITANS | Inactive | |
| DEVIN SMITH | WR | JAGUARS | Bye | 1 target |
| MICHAEL THOMAS | WR | SAINTS | Monday Night Football | |
| TOMMY TOGIAI | DT | BROWNS | Inactive | |
| NICK VANNETT | TE | SAINTS | Monday Night Football | |
| BINJIMEN VICTOR | WR | RAVENS | Practice squad | |
| SHAUN WADE | CB | PATRIOTS | Inactive | |
| DENZEL WARD | CB | BROWNS | 2 tackles | 24 tackles, 0.5 sack (2 yards), 2 QBH, 3 PBU |
| PETE WERNER | LB | SAINTS | Monday Night Football | 25 tackles, 1 TFL |
| CHASE YOUNG | DE | WFT | 2 tackles, 1 PBU | 21 tackles, 2 sacks (7 yards), 4 TFL, 4 QBH, 1 PBU, 1 FF |
