As the Cincinnati Bengals improve to 6-4 on the year, let's take a look back who stood out and who to keep an eye on following the Week 11 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Bengals snapped their two-game losing skid and it was largely due to quarterback Joe Burrow and the offense cutting down on turnovers and Cincinnati's defense forcing two takeaways and tackling better.
More:What we learned from Bengals' important road win over Raiders
Here's a closer look at who stood out against the Raiders and who to keep your eye on moving forward:
Offense
Best offensive line performance: Quinton Spain, Jonah Williams
Quinton Spain and Jonah Williams have been, and were against the Raiders, Cincinnati's best offensive linemen this season.
In fact, Williams played so well he was the Bengals' highest-graded player on offense earning an 80.7 grade for his performance in Las Vegas. Spain, who was dealing with a tough assignment against the Raiders' pass rush, graded out as the best player in pass-blocking scenarios.
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Typically, Spain is the Bengals' best offensive lineman in the run game so it was a surprise, and a good one at that, to see him play so well in the passing game. If Williams and Spain continue to play a high level, the Bengals' offense will be better for it.
X-Factor: Tyler Boyd
Tyler Boyd impacts the game in so many ways sometimes it's hard to explain how valuable to the Bengals. Not only is he Joe Burrow's "security blanket" when teams play zone against Cincinnati, he's also a huge asset in the run game.
Boyd isn't afraid to mix it up and his ability to block as a wide receiver puts him in a category of his own.
In addition to leading the Bengals in catches with six for 49 yards, he earned an 83.6 grade from Pro Football Focus for his run blocking.
Defense
Best pass rushing performance: Trey Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson has been worth every penny the Bengals spent on him in free agency. Hendrickson has 9.5 sacks and ranks in the top-10 in this category in the NFL.
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Against the Raiders, Hendrickson registered a sack and three quarterback hurries. Hendrickson was given his highest grade of the season, a 90.0, from Pro Football Focus in the pass rush metric.
Most surprising performance: Eli Apple
It had been a tough few weeks for Eli Apple who gave up a big touchdown play against the Cleveland Browns before the bye week. Apple has been filling in as the Bengals' No. 2 cornerback since Trae Waynes was placed on injured reserve early on in the season.
The former first-round pick made the game-sealing interception against the Raiders and tackled well at Allegiant Stadium. Apple was the second-highest graded player for the Bengals on defense according to Pro Football Focus.
"I thought our guys stepped up and Eli, in particular, really just doing his job," defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said. "It was a Cover-2 look to that side of the field. That's his responsibility. It always goes back to if you do what you're supposed to, you can make life a lot easier for yourself. And he did it. I've always had belief in him and his abilities and I'm glad to see him make the play for him and for us."
Keep your eye on: Germaine Pratt, Tee Higgins
Germaine Pratt was the lowest-graded defensive player for the Bengals per Pro Football Focus and this continues to be a theme. The Bengals' second-level defenders, Pratt included, have proved to be what opponents' are attacking when facing Cincinnati's defense. Pratt and fellow linebacker Logan Wilson need to play better moving forward for the defense to continue to take strides forward.
Through 10 games, Tee Higgins hasn't made as much impact in his second year in the Bengals' offense as many predicted before the season. That's not to say he hasn't been good this season, he has.
In fact, prior to the bye week, he was coming off his most productive two-game stretch against the Browns and Jets. But against the Raiders, Higgins was a non-factor and that's happened in a few games this season. Higgins was the second-lowest graded player for the Bengals on offense against the Raiders.
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