Before shifting focus to the Detroit Lions as the Cincinnati Bengals get ready to head to the Motor City, let's take one last look at the good and the bad from the 25-22 loss to the Green Pay Packers.
The good
Best offensive player: Ja'Marr Chase
Chase's 70-yard touchdown before the half changed the game for the Bengals. Prior to his score, it looked like it was going to be a long day for Cincinnati. This seems to be a trend with Chase, though. When he and quarterback Joe Burrow are able to connect for an explosive play, something positive typically follows. What's notable about Chase's performance against the Packers is the amount of targets he saw. With a healthy Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, Chase has developed into the Bengals No. 1 wide receiver in terms of targets and production. Burrow targeted Chase 10 different times, which resulted in six catches for 159 yards and a touchdown. Pro Football Focus gave Chase the highest grade of all offensive players for his performance giving him a 77.5 grade for his performance. The next closest player? Burrow with a 72.0.
Best pass-blocking offensive lineman: Jonah Williams
Williams continues to show growth in his third season with the Bengals. The 2019 first-round pick was Cincinnati's best offensive lineman in the pass game on Sunday and it wasn't really close. The Bengals were counting on better play from Williams as he protects Burrow's blindside and his performance against the Packers was one of his best of the year. Williams has given up two sacks and two hurries this season and has a 73.2 pass-blocking grade for the season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Best defensive players: Trey Hendrickson, Chidobe Awuzie
Hendrickson and Awuzie continue to show why they were worth the investment the Bengals made in them both this offseason. Hendrickson led the way for Cincinnati's pass rush with two sacks, one hit and one hurry. Awuzie was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded Bengals' defensive player and he wasn't given an easy assignment following All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams all game. He allowed nine receptions on 13 targets in coverage.
The bad
Worst offensive line performance: Jackson Carman
The interior of Cincinnati's offensive line was exposed against the Packers. Carman allowed a team-high five quarterback hurries on Joe Burrow and one hit. The Bengals' 2021 second-round pick has now started three games after losing the job to veteran Xavier Su'a-Filo during the preseason. It's a good thing Riley Reiff has been consistent anchoring the right side next to Carman because it appears opponents will now start to target Carman who was the second-lowest graded in both the pass and run game for Cincinnati.
Pass-blocking liability: Samaje Perine
With a bigger workload due to Joe Mixon's ankle injury, Perine was solid in his duties running the ball. However, he continues to be a liability in pass protection for the Bengals. Perine was Cincinnati's lowest graded player in pass-blocking situations and his play time moving forward might suffer from it. Head coach Zac Taylor would love to be able to depend on a 1-2 punch with Mixon and Perine every week, but if Perine continues to give up a sacks on Burrow, he won't see the field. Perine allowed one sack and pressure on Burrow against the Packers. It's been a continued theme for Perine and the Bengals' running backs all season long.
Not a great day for: Sam Hubbard
Hubbard struggled against the Packers in the run game and in pass rushing situations. It was a surprising performance for Hubbard who typically is one of the most consistent players for the Bengals up front. Hubbard was the second-lowest graded defensive player for Cincinnati according to Pro Football Focus. Safety Ricardo Allen was the lowest-graded player. Hubbard missed two tackles and wasn't particularly dominant in the run game.
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