Postgame Observations: Joe Burrow Plays Through Pain Leads Bengals Past Rams 19-16

Cincinnati is 1-2 following their win over Los Angeles.

CINCINNATI — The Bengals beat the Rams 19-16 on Monday night to pick up their first win of the 2023 season. 

Cincinnati improves to 1-2 on the year following the victory. Here are our postgame observations: 

Burrow Plays Through Pain 

After a week of speculation, Joe Burrow was not only active, but the Bengals leaned on his arm early and often on Monday night. 

He wasn't pushing the ball downfield like he normally does, but he did just enough to lead Cincinnati to their first win of the season. 

Burrow completed 26-of-49 passes for 259 yards and one interception. He wasn't his normal self, but he played through the pain and put the Bengals in position to win. 

Ja'Marr Comes Alive

Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase only had 10 receptions for 70 yards in their first two games of the season. 

He bested both of those marks against the Rams, finishing with 12 catches for 141 yards, including a 43-yard catch that is the longest play of the season for the Bengals offense.  

Money Mac

Evan McPherson missed his first attempt of the night from 56-yards out, but rebounded to make his next four field goals, including two 54-yard attempts. 

McPherson finished 4-for-5. Three of his made field goals were from at least 53 yards.

First Lead 

Joe Mixon's 14-yard touchdown run gave Cincinnati their first lead of the season with 5:34 remaining in the third quarter. 

The Bengals drove 75 yards in 10 plays in 5:03. It was their best drive of the night and gave them the lead for good. 

Mixon finished with 65 yards on 19 carries, but continues to run hard and his touchdown was a game changing play. 

Heck of a drive by the #Bengals. Don't look now, but Cincinnati has their first lead of the 2023 season following Joe Mixon's touchdown run.

The Bengals lead the Rams 13-9 with 5:34 remaining in the third quarter.

— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) September 26, 2023

Defense Contains McVay's Offense

The Bengals kept the Rams' offense in check all night. Logan Wilson had two interceptions, which helped get the crowd involved even though they didn't have much to cheer about early in the game. 

The Rams started 0-for-7 on third down, which shows how effective Lou Anarumo's crew was at containing Matthew Stafford and company. 

Second-year safety Dax Hill continues to play well. He finished with five tackles (two for loss), one sack and quarterback hit. 

DJ Reader had a big sack on the Rams first possession of the game. They had 1st-and-goal at the 2-yard line and Reader sacked Stafford for a 9-yard loss. 

Los Angeles had to settle for a field goal, which helped set the tone for the game. 

Trey Hendrickson also came alive, finishing with two sacks, two quarterback hits and two tackles for loss. 

Up Next

The Bengals play the Titans in Nashville on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. ET. 

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