In a thrilling showdown at Paycor Stadium on Career Day Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals delivered a commanding 41-24 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, riding on the stellar performances of their key players. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow led the charge, tying his career high with five touchdown passes. Burrow’s precision was on full display as he completed 27 of 39 passes for 251 yards, securing an impressive 115.5 passer rating. His go-to receiver for the day was tight end Mike Gesicki, who brought in five catches for 100 yards, including two touchdowns—the first multi-touchdown game of his career since 2019.
Running back Chase Brown also had a career day, carrying the ball 27 times for 120 yards, marking his first 100-yard rushing game. Brown’s hard-nosed running kept the chains moving, making him a crucial component of the Bengals’ offensive success. Additionally, he snagged a short touchdown pass from Burrow to kick off the Bengals’ scoring, setting the tone for the game with his consistent, grinding style.
The defense had its share of highlights, led by NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson, who achieved a career-high four sacks, bringing his season total to 11. Hendrickson’s relentless pursuit of Raiders quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder rattled the Raiders’ offense and forced them into difficult third and fourth-down situations. His four-sack performance was the second most by any NFL player in a single game this season and marked the most by a Bengals player since 2009.
The Bengals were also buoyed by Logan Wilson, who recovered two critical fumbles in the second half. His first fumble recovery set up a quick scoring opportunity, with Burrow finding Gesicki for an 11-yard touchdown. Wilson’s second recovery followed another Hendrickson strip-sack, giving Cincinnati ideal field position late in the game. Wilson’s standout play made him the first Bengal since 2022 to notch two fumble recoveries in a game, adding an extra layer of dominance to Cincinnati’s defensive stand.
Mike Gesicki’s day was one for the Bengals history books. In addition to his 100 receiving yards, Gesicki’s two touchdowns made him just the third tight end in Bengals history to post multiple scores and 100+ yards in a single game. The last to achieve this feat? None other than former Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert, who was watching from the stands as the game’s honorary “Ruler of the Jungle.”
The Bengals seized control of the game with a strong end to the first half and an assertive opening drive in the third quarter. Just before halftime, Burrow connected with Andrei Iosivas for a 10-yard touchdown, pushing the Bengals ahead 17-10. Then, right after the break, Burrow found Drew Sample on a scramble drill for a touchdown, extending their lead to 24-10. This double-strike strategy marked the third time this season that Cincinnati had closed the first half with a score and then found the end zone on their first possession of the second half, a testament to their explosive potential and halftime adjustments.
Burrow’s red-hot start saw him complete 18 of his first 21 passes, steering the Bengals to productive drives and setting up scoring opportunities at nearly every turn. The win adds to the Bengals’ momentum as they continue to chase a playoff berth, and their balanced offense-defense display showcased just how dangerous they can be when firing on all cylinders.
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