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NFL Week 9 Top Takeaways: Raiders @ Bengals

Doc discusses his top takeaways from the Raiders @ Bengals game!

CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paul Brown Stadium on September 30, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Joe Burrow threw for 251 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Bengals to a victory. Burrow threw passes to eight different receivers and was in complete command of the offense. The Bengals have a Thursday game upcoming this week against the Ravens on the road, with their playoff hopes possibly on the line. Look for Burrow to step up and have another big week against a Ravens defense that has been beaten by far inferior offenses in previous weeks.

Chase Brown

CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 10: Chase Brown #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals carries the ball during the second half of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

With Zach Moss out for the game, Chase Brown was finally given the RB1 role and had 27 carries for 120 rushing yards. He also had five receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown. This is the kind of explosive play that many people have been expecting from Brown since he was drafted from the University of Illinois. Expect that when Moss returns, he will only be used in short-yardage situations, while Brown should get the bulk of the touches.

Tee Higgins Injury

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 24: Tee Higgins #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals attempts a catch during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)

With Tee Higgins out once again with an injury, tight end Mike Gesicki stepped up and had five receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. With Higgins looking for a new contract in 2025, it would surprise me if he rushed back from his injury, as he is not willing to risk hurting himself for a team he does not wish to return to. While Higgins is out, Gesicki has evolved into the team’s de facto #2 receiver and one of Joe Burrow’s favorite targets.

Gardner Minshew and Brock Bowers

LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 29: Tight end Brock Bowers #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders stands on the field during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, at Allegiant Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

The Raiders have no chance to be successful so long as they continue to get such awful quarterback play as they’ve been getting thus far. Gardner Minshew completed 10 passes for 124 yards with no touchdowns and missed his receivers consistently. Complicating matters further is Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce’s insistence on running the football. The Raiders ran 21 times for only 60 yards, which is less than three yards per carry. Minshew’s best quality is his gunslinging nature; If you’re not going to let him throw, then what the use of starting him is?

The one bright light for the Raiders has been the play of rookie tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers had five receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown and has quickly become the number one tight end in fantasy football. Considering how good he’s been with such poor quarterback play tells you how good he can be if the Raiders can find themselves a good young quarterback to build around.