What Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon put on tape against the Las Vegas Raiders for the rest of the NFL to see might end up being more important than you might think.
Mixon rushed for 123 yards on 30 attempts and two touchdowns in Week 11. The Bengals planned to run Mixon often in the game but his ability to create positive plays allowed head coach Zac Taylor to stick with the run.
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This was Mixon’s best performance of the season and it came at the right time. With the hot start the offense had through the first seven weeks led by quarterback Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, Mixon wasn’t necessarily viewed as the focal part of the offense.
It’s not going to be the case moving forward, as Mixon and the Bengals proved in Las Vegas. Head coach Zac Taylor said he and his staff “emptied the tank” on different formations to be able to run and were successful in doing so.
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“There were a lot examples to point out today really of different guys on different plays,” Taylor said. “We really emptied the tank on a lot of variations of runs: tight zone, wide zone, gap scheme, toss plays, jet sweeps. We threw it all at them and so different guys are going to have to step up in different areas.”
Mixon is the type of player who feeds off performances like the one he had Sunday. Not only is he a team captain, he’s also a player who the Bengals count on from an energy standpoint. Following his performance against the Raiders, Mixon glowed when asked about the significance of his role in the offense.
"When coach dials it up focus to play complementary football today, we put the nail in the coffin," Mixon said.
If the Bengals are able to run Mixon effectively, especially in some of the upcoming games where they’ll try control the time of possession, Cincinnati could be a hard team to stop offensively.
Mixon ranks No. 4 in the AFC in rushing yards with 759 on 180 carries. Prior to the start of the season, offensive coordinator Brian Callahan and Taylor expressed their desire to feature Mixon more as a three-down running back.
Right now, the Bengals are reaping the benefits of giving more touches to Mixon. So much so that when Mike Tomlin, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, spoke about the upcoming matchup with the Bengals, he specifically mentioned Mixon’s impact.
“Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins, Boyd, those guys, C.J. Uzomah at tight end, they are a challenge but we better not underestimate Joe Mixon and his impact,” Tomlin said.
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The Bengals still have to play each AFC North team one more time. With two of those three games coming in the final part of the season, weather could start to play a factor in the game plan. Fortunately for Cincinnati, if they decide it will need to be a run-first game, not only is Mixon playing well, his experience is invaluable for the team right now.
Mixon can put the Bengals on his back if they need him to. In fact, he wants to be that player for his team. And he’s even more motivated now that he’s got a taste of what winning feels like.
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“I’m ready for whatever they throw (at) me, “Mixon said. “I know sometimes, it might be more of the run. Sometimes, more of the pass. But I definitely look forward to playing November, December, because like I said, we have everything that we need to get in the playoffs. We just gotta give everybody our best shot each and every week and put our best forward.”
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