Takeaways From Cincinnati Bengals' Season Saving Win Over Arizona Cardinals

Cincinnati beat Arizona 34-20 on Sunday at State Farm Stadium.

GLENDALE, ARIZ — The Bengals beat the Cardinals on Sunday 34-20 to improve to 2-3 on the season. 

It wouldn't be accurate to say that they've fixed their early season woes, but they certainly saved their season in the desert. 

Here are my top takeaways from the Bengals' win:

In the Pocket Like Joe Burrow

USA Today Images

Joe Burrow looked like Joe Burrow on Sunday. 

He moved right to give himself enough time to find Ja'Marr Chase for a 2-yard touchdown on the Bengals' opening drive. 

"That was big, for that exact reason like you said. It’s something I haven’t been able to do for the last couple of weeks," Burrow said. "When your quarterback can’t do that, can’t steal first downs, can’t extend plays, can’t find guys downfield, it’s tough to move the ball. So it felt good today and I’m going to continue to get healthier and I’m excited about that.”

That was just a preview of what was next. Burrow ran for a first down, stepped up in the pocket, moved around and looked like the guy that has led Cincinnati to back-to-back AFC North Championships. 

Burrow has been frustrated in recent weeks, but his hard work behind the scenes paid off and it showed on the field. He completed 36-of-46 passes for 317 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. It was by far his best game of the season.

Doubt Them at Your Own Risk

USA Today Images

I was asked about the Bengals at the Lakota East game against Lakota West on Friday night. 

"What do you think about them this week?"

I shrugged and explained the unknown of Burrow's calf makes it tough to predict what will happen. Then I said a statement that I've said often over the past few years: "I'll never doubt Ja'Marr Chase and Burrow. Those guys are different."

Boy were they different on Sunday. They gave the Bengals' offense exactly what they needed, when they needed it. 

The 63-yard touchdown was the most beautiful deep ball Burrow has ever thrown to Chase—at least in the NFL. It was perfect. The throw was perfect. The blocking from the offensive line was ideal. Chase's acceleration at the end of the play to pluck the ball out of the air and coast into the end zone was special. 

It was a perfect play. The Bengals have two special players in Burrow and Chase and they came through in a big spot on Sunday. 

Record-Setting Day

USA Today Images

Chase finished with 15 receptions on 19 targets for 192 yards and three touchdowns. His 15 catches set a new Bengals record. 

The star wide-out has 34 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns over the past three games. He has 27 catches in the Bengals' two wins. 

“He’s obviously one of the best in the league. So we’re going to continue to feed him," Burrow said. "We’re going to find ways to move him around so teams can’t take him away. We’re going to continue to get better at that. He’s going to continue to do what he does.”

Feeding Chase is a necessity. He's been the Bengals' best player on offense this season and is nearly impossible to defend when Cincinnati gets into a rhythm like they did on Sunday. 

Chase is on pace for 150 receptions for 1,618 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. The receptions and yards would both set new team records. 

Opportunistic Defense

USA Today Images

The Bengals' defense was far from perfect on Sunday, but they came up big in crucial moments. 

Cam Taylor-Britt's pick-six was the response they needed after the Cardinals got a big goal-line stop on the one-yard line. 

That theme continued in the fourth quarter when Trey Hendrickson had a strip-sack on Josh Dobbs and Sam Hubbard recovered the loose ball. 

Germaine Pratt sealed the deal with an interception late in the game. 

They still gave up big plays and there's plenty to work on, but Lou Anarumo's crew forced three turnovers and they were +2 on the day. Those turnovers were a big difference in the game. 

The offense wasn't perfect either. Both units were missing key pieces in Tee Higgins and Chidobe Awuzie. 

They found a way to win a road game against a team that has exceeded expectations thus far and they did it shorthanded. 

It was a "must-win" and the Bengals got it done in the desert. 

Catch NFL football on fuboTV throughout the 2023 season! Start your free trial here.

For more on the Bengals, watch the video below and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Make sure you bookmark All Bengals for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Joe Burrow Addressed Team Following Bengals' Loss to Titans: 'It Brings You a Different Type of Fire'

Watch: Bengals Release From The Jungle Episode Four

Report: Former Bengals OL La'el Collins Receiving Interest From Multiple Teams

T.J. Houshmandzadeh: 'If Heads Start to Roll, It’s Going to be Zac Taylor'

Bengals Takeaways: Thoughts on Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, and the Defense Ahead of 'Must-Win' Matchup With Cardinals

Look: Bengals Expensive Offensive Line Falling Flat to Start 2023 Season

Focused Joe Burrow Knows Bengals Must Beat Cardinals After Slow Start

Tyler Boyd on Outside Doubt Surrounding Bengals: 'All Trying to be on Our Bandwagon' in 10 Weeks

Bengals Must Find Identity Following Ugly Loss to Titans

Report: Tee Higgins Suffers Fracture Rib Against Titans

Ted Karras: 'O-Line Needs to be Perfect' If Quarterback is Limited

Ja'Marr Chase on Separation Against Titans: 'I'm Always F****** Open'

Winners and Losers Following Cincinnati Bengals 27-3 Loss to Tennessee Titans

Joe Burrow on Offensive Execution: 'Today, We Weren't Close'

Postgame Observations: Bengals Get Crushed By Titans 27-3

Chris Jones Fueled by Joe Burrow During 2022 Offseason: 'Painted Pictures of' QB on Tackling Dummies

Positional Value and What We Can Learn From Sam LaPorta's Success With Lions

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on All Bengals all the time!

Subscribe to the All Bengals YouTube channel

Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Follow on TikTok