WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Notes, Quotes

The Sports Xchange

December 13, 2018 at 12:54 am.

–Running back Joe Mixon was able to plow through openings and enjoyed one of his more productive showings.

An improved performance on the offensive line can be credited with an assist, especially Christian Westerman, who received 42 snaps at guard.

He entered last week with just 87 career snaps and 28 snaps this season but wound up being the most effective player on offense according to the grading system of Pro Football Focus.

Cincinnati scored 18 of its 21 points when Westerman was on the field and his 80.6 rushing grade tied Trey Hopkins for the highest run blocking grade of the season.

Westerman’s ability to run block can be demonstrated by the fact that he has not allowed a pressure or been penalized on any snap this season.

If you watched closely, you might have noticed a differing strategy on defense last week.

Although the Bengals wound up losing again, the strategy to return to a man-to-man defensive scheme seemed to prove effective, especially the four-man rush.

Left defensive end Carlos Dunlap tipped a pair of passes and recorded a sack while the run defense allowed 3.4 yards per carry, matching the third-lowest average of the season and down from the 6.4 it allowed the previous week to the Denver Broncos.

“I think he changed some calls,” rookie defensive lineman Sam Hubbard said. “We were doing a lot of four-man rush. Our linebacker, he just told them to stay with their keys. Keep your eyes on your man. We were playing a lot of man-to-man. Be fundamentally sound. Don t cheat looking in the backfield and that was how the game went. Eye discipline. I think our secondary played really well and gave us a chance to get after the quarterback.”

–Wide receiver A.J. Green underwent surgery on the torn ligament to his toe on Tuesday.

Before the surgery, his wife posted a picture of her husband on Instagram that read: “Prayers up for my husband as he heads to surgery! We are praying and believing for a speedy and full recovery!”

It is believed Green’s rehab will last three to four months and the timeline for recovery allows him to return when organized team activities begin in late May.

“It went well,” head coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday.

BY THE NUMBERS: 9 — This represents the number of touchdowns the Bengals have allowed in the final three minutes of their 13 first halves. Overall the Bengals have allowed 16 drives in the final three minutes before halftime to end in points being scored. The Bengals are being outscored 84-52 in the final three minutes before halftime and 37-17 during their current losing streak. The Bengals have allowed six passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns and seven field goals in the last three minutes before halftime and the only game they did not allow points in that situation was in the win over Miami in Week 5.