Joe Mixon Stuns The Panthers With A Bengals' Record Five TDs In A Victory
In the team's 42-21 thumping of the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Mixon established the franchise mark for most touchdowns in a single game. Mixon scored five times, the longest of which was a 14-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Previously, three players held the record: Larry Kinnebrew (1984), Corey Dillon (1997), and Marvin Jones Jr. (2013).
Mixon stated that by the time he had his second or third carry of the game, he realised it was going to be a game centred on the rushing assault.
"I'm just very thrilled to come through for my teammates," Mixon said after the game. "It's been a long time coming."
Mixon recorded four running touchdowns, matching Dillon's previous high of 25 yards against the Tennessee Titans. The running back also scored on a 12-yard reception towards the end of the first half.
Mixon finished with 211 yards from scrimmage, 153 running and 58 receptions. He became became the sixth player in Super Bowl history to have at least 200 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns in a single game.
Things began to fall into place during the team's first drive of the game. Mixon converted a delayed screen throw from quarterback Joe Burrow into a 35-yard gain. He completed that drive with a 2-yard rushing touchdown, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Bengals players and coach Zac Taylor praised Mixon's performance, praising everything from the diverse run ideas to the blocking from the offensive line, tight ends, and wide outs. Taylor was praised by Mixon for sticking with the run and allowing the running back to create a rhythm.
A heated statement from Cincinnati offensive coordinator Brian Callahan during a team meeting the day before the game was one of the major inspirations for Sunday's explosive performance.
"I just enjoyed how Callahan came in with an edge in that meeting," Mixon said of Callahan's approach on Saturday. "We made pretty much everything he stated happen today." So we spoke it into being.
It was a game that Cincinnati (5-4) really needed, especially on the ground.
The Bengals' rushing assault came under intense criticism before to Sunday's performance. Cincinnati entered Sunday ranked 30th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (81) and yards per rush attempt (3.54).
Hayden Hurst, a Bengals tight end, said the team's determination to impose its will on Carolina was essential to increasing ground efficiency.
"We just wanted to go out there and pummelled those guys all day," Hurst explained.
Many of the concerns about Cincinnati's lack of rushing success revolved around Mixon. The sixth-year rushing back was underperforming after being named to his first Pro Bowl. Mixon entered Sunday having rushed for 54 yards less than expected, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. On Sunday, Mixon outran the model by 74 yards.
He said on Sunday that he was aware of the commotion. Teammates informed him of what was said about him, and they told him to block it all out.
"To be honest," Mixon remarked, "that's precisely what has been going on." "However, my teammates are aware of the sort of player I am." "Most importantly, I understand what kind of player I am."
Cincinnati was hoping to avoid back-to-back defeats and falling below.500 before its bye week. With the win, the defending AFC champs will remain within a game of Baltimore, who leads the AFC North heading into their Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints.
Burrow, who completed 22 of 28 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns, claimed the Panthers' win was the team's first complete effort of the season. And when it came to Cincinnati's top running back, Mixon's record-breaking performance was exactly what Burrow and his teammates expected.
Burrow described Mixon as "the same person every week, working hard." "I know he wants more productivity, but he hasn't gotten it." Today was a major step forward for him. "Hopefully, we can maintain that momentum going after this bye week."
