Matt’s Take: Just keep winning, Bengals, just keep winning

By Matthew McAdow
HCP columnist

Where is Dory from "Finding Nemo" to lead the chant for Cincinnati? “Just Keep Winning, Just Keep Winning!”  

Cincinnati needs to do just that if they want to be playing playoff football, as the AFC is jam-packed with teams 1 or 2 games above .500. At 8-6, Cincinnati has a chance to give fans an early Christmas gift and put the Steelers' season into the ground on Saturday, while also increasing its 37-percent chance to make the playoffs to over 50 percent.  

As I am typing this, Mike Tomlin just announced that Mason Rudolph is taking over as Pittsburgh’s QB duties, and I have never been more happy to have Jake Browning after reading that statement.  

With injuries to Reader and Chase, though, this certainly will not be a walk in the park. 

Before diving into the future though, what in the world did we just watch on Saturday? 

Let’s dive into some positives and negatives.

Positives

Cincinnati holds their own fate. If they keep winning, they will surely be in the wildcard.  They have three games remaining against the Steelers, Chiefs and Browns. All three are very winnable games. I don’t believe they can afford losing to Pittsburgh, so Saturday feels like a must-win game. 

Tee Higgins' gigantic reach and “Space Jam” stretch over the pylon vs. Minnesota was exhilarating. If Ja’Marr Chase misses any time, they’re going to need to see Tee act like a WR 1 for the remainder of the season.

Santa or Nick Mullens? I am not sure who will give out more gifts this year. Nick was horrific despite getting lucky on a few throws. His interception to BJ Hill was something I have never witnessed before. Thank you, Saint Nick.

Mike Hilton does it time and time again. He is the definition of “right place at the right time.”  

Eleven different players had a reception on Saturday. Browning got everyone involved, and everyone stepped in to help pull out a victory.

Trayveon Williams may not fill up a stat sheet, but he does so many things the right way off the ball. His blitz pick up was phenomenal.

Before this past week, Cincinnati was 4-146 when trailing by 14 or more in the fourth quarter. Add one more to the win column.

Negatives

DJ Reader, the run stopper, is out for the season. If you thought the run defense was weak before, this adds even more to the fire. 

If Chase remains out this week, this offense is really going to struggle. Without his presence on the field, you can expect Pittsburgh to really apply pressure to Browning for four quarters.
  
Charlie Jones stopped his route in what would have been a very impressive and needed touchdown. He hasn’t impressed me at all despite his speed on the field.  

I had to increase my blood pressure dosage over the weekend. The Higgins touchdown, the called-back Pick 6, the 3rd and 4th down stop with inches to go, the no call on pass interference. The mailman delivered packages during the game on my porch, and I am surprised they didn’t call the cops.  

If Zac Taylor has anyone other than the quarterback throw the ball again this season, I don’t care if it works, it is unnecessary. The Tyler Boyd interception 2 weeks ago was enough for me to never want to see that ever again.

Below, Tee Higgins made a great TD reception vs. Minnesota.