Three days before Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon had 153 total yards against the Detroit Lions, he was watching Bengals practice from the sideline.
In a typical week, Mixon would have gone through his routine of ball security drills and caught a few passes from quarterback Joe Burrow on Thursday. But he was limited with an ankle injury that has bothered him since Week 4.
According to offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, most running backs “need” to practice. A few years ago, Mixon might have “needed to” practice to prepare for a 153-yard game.
But in his fifth season, Mixon has reached a new stage of his career.
“If he plays like that, then we’re all very happy,” Callahan said. “As Joe has gotten more experience, he’s more able to take a day or two when he needs it and still be able to perform mentally on Sundays.”
Through the first six games of the season, Mixon ranks second in the NFL in carries and fourth in rushing yards. So far, he’s playing more snaps per game than he has in any season of his career, and Mixon has been more impactful as a receiver and as a pass protector.
The Bengals signed Mixon to an extension before the 2020 season because of the faith they had in him as a runner. While a foot injury limited him last season, Mixon has taken the next step in 2021.
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He’s a three-down back for the first time in his career, and is averaging nearly a yard more per carry than he did last season.
“We expect him to be productive when he carries the ball. He’s physical and can punish guys when they’re trying to make tackles,” head coach Zac Taylor said. “He has been decisive with his reads, which has been really good. He’s doing what we like him to do.”
The most impressive part of Mixon’s game against the Lions was the style of his runs. The Lions defense often overloaded one side of the field, and Mixon was patient to find the opening.
On a first down in the first quarter, the Lions focused their run defense up the middle. Mixon did a stutter-step at the line of scrimmage to cut outside the tackle. Then, he shifted underneath the shoulder of Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin for a 9-yard gain.
In the second half, Mixon made the same video game-style move on two more impressive runs. To escape a tackle, Mixon hopped backward, shifted his weight onto his back foot and cut the opposite direction.
On a play in the fourth quarter, left tackle Jonah Williams lost his run block as he tried to set the edge. Mixon hopped behind the edge rusher, leaned on Williams to keep his balance and cut to the right side of the field. After he crossed the line of scrimmage, Mixon skipped to avoid another tackle. With the 18-yard run, Mixon brought the Bengals to the 4-yard line.
“As you saw in the third and fourth quarter, they didn’t play (me) honest,” Mixon said. “That’s what happens. (My) vision is going to be there. You have to make the most of those runs.”
This season, Mixon’s open space cuts have been as good as they’ve ever been, and they haven’t been impacted by his workload. Even though he was on a snap count due to an ankle injury against the Packers, Mixon still has the third-most touches in the NFL.
Taylor has said that one of the biggest advantages of having a standout run game is it can wear down a defense. In 2019 and 2020, the Bengals defense had that happen to them as often as any team in the NFL.
Now, it’s Mixon playing that role against opposing defense. He’s filling the role the Bengals envisioned when they put their offense together.
“To take a step forward,” Taylor said, “Those are our expectations for Joe.”
Eli Apple improving for Bengals
RIGHT STEP: In each of the first two games of the season, Bengals starting cornerback Eli Apple made a crucial mistake that led to the defense allowing a touchdown. In Week 1, he missed a tackle near the sideline, and he was called for a pass interference penalty on the only touchdown the Bengals allowed in Week 2.
Since then, Apple has been a consistent part of the secondary. Against the Lions, Detroit quarterback Jared Goff only threw in Apple’s direction once.
“It’s humongous what he’s doing and growing and breeding confidence,” Bengals safety Vonn Bell said. “Huge corner. Big frame. Play man. (He can) match up with anybody and just go out there and do his part.”
Darius Phillips benched for Trenton Irwin in for punts
RETURN CHANGE: After the first series against the Lions, Bengals punt returner Darius Phillips was benched for Trenton Irwin.
On his only punt return, Phillips tried to break a few tackles and didn’t pick up any yards. Irwin, who took reps as a punt returner during the preseason, took over after that play and averaged 13 yards per return.
“There were some good things and some things to improve as well,” Taylor said. “That's just an area we continue to evaluate. Darius can do it, Trenton can do it. That's just an ongoing process that will unfold for us."
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