Bengals: I struggle for the words

Bears 47 Bengals 42

Caleb Williams gunned a game-winning 58-yard TD pass to tight end Colston Loveland with :17 left to stun the Bengals and over 66,000 fans at Paycor Stadium.

Trailing 41-27, with less than 2:00 remaining, the Bengals scored two TDs in :49 to take the lead. Joe Flacco's 23-yard strike to Noah Fant cut it to 41-35 with 1:43 left. After recovering the onside kick, Flacco’s 9-yard TD to Andrei Iosivas gave them the lead with :54 left.

Needing a game saving stop, the defense gagged, again. The Bears marched 72 yards in four plays and 37 seconds to win it.

Flacco was intercepted on a Hail Mary to end the game.

The defense allowed 576 total yards, 293 passing, 283 rushing (7.5).

25 or more points allowed 8th straight game. 5th game allowing 30+ points.

Game flow: Nine lead changes
Charlie Jones took the opening kickoff 99-yards to the house.
Led 7-0, tied 7-7, led 10-7, trailed 17-13, led 20-17 at the half.
Took 27-24 lead in 3rd, trailed 31-27 to the 4th. Trailed 34-27, 41-27. Led 42-41.

Defense:

2nd half: TD, TD, FG, TD, TD

7th round rookie RB Kyle Monangai 26-176

Bears toyed w/ them for three trick play opening drive TD.

4 trick plays on the day. 4 Bears threw passes.

Bears QB Caleb Williams had 2 catches.

Knight Jr. illegal contact wiped out an Ossai sack. Left w/ cramps.

BJ Hill, Ossai sack

FG hold after Flacco fumble early 4th.

Yards per carry/game: PIT: 7.3 /147, NYJ: 6.9 /254, CHI: 7.5/285

Offense: 495 yards, 449 passing, 46 rushing

Flacco: 31-47-470, 4 TD, 2 INT. 3 sacks. 1st career 400+ day.

Strip sack. B-B sacks. Intentional grounding 3rd & 3 w/ 6:01 4th. Missed 54-yd FG.

Tee Higgins: 7-121, 2 TD, 2 PT, caught 1st pass day. 44-yd TD.

9 straight home TDs for Tee. 3rd & 16 catch for 20.

Chase Brown: 11-37 rushing, long 12m 3rd & 6 drop 1st drive/FG settle

Chase: 6-111, 1st catch 9:33 2nd QT, later 37-yarder

Yoshi: 5-65. Stepped out on TD catch w/ 2:46 left. INT next play.

Orlando Brown personal foul: 1st & goal at 6. 15-yards. FG settle.

Mitch Tinsley: 27-yard jump ball

Tanner Hudson: 33 -yard catch

Noah Fant: TD

Special Teams:

Charlie Jones 99-yard KR TD to open the game.

Perine: 39-yard KR

Offside DJ Ivey wiped out Bear FG miss. Converted 4th & 1. TD.

Deflected Bears FG attempt end half

McPherson short from 54-yards

Recovered on side kick.

How many more examples are needed of Zac simply being overwhelmed with simultaneous game management and play calling? Late decision on 4th & 13 FG. Chaos. Missed FG. Challenged a goal line ruling looking for a fumble/touchback, review resulted in Bears TD.

Of note:

Joe Burrow was throwing on the sideline for 2nd week row.

Attendance: 66,264