The Cincinnati Bengals were one of the bigger surprises this NFL season. They won the AFC North, finishing 10-7, a half game ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers. After an injury-plagued up and down rookie season, franchise quarterback Joe Burrow took massive steps forward this year.
His name is in the league MVP discussion, after finishing with over 4,600 passing yards, 34 touchdown passes and a 70.4 completion percentage. Those are all near the top of the league this season.
For more insight on the Bengals' Wild Card playoff matchup against the Raiders, listen below:
His ascension has not been a huge surprise. He was highly touted coming out of LSU after winning the National Championship for the Tigers. But the Bengals defense definitely has been a surprise. They were among the league's worst units in 2020. They are not great defensively, but they moved to the middle of the pack this year. When you have an elite offense, middle of the pack defenses can get the job done.
The Bengals host the upstart Las Vegas Raiders Saturday in the first wild card round game of the weekend. Here is the Bengals X-Factor against the Raiders and his name is not Ja'Marr Chase.
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Bengals X-Factor vs. Raiders in 2022 NFL Playoffs
The Bengals feature a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Ja'Marr Chase had a record-breaking rookie season. Joe Burrow ascended to be one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Yet, it's running back Joe Mixon who is the x-factor to the team's success this weekend.
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The Raiders quietly boast one of the league's better offenses, with a balanced attack. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has turned Hunter Renfrow into a legitimate weapon. Tight end Darren Waller is back from injury after missing more than a month.
The weakness of the Bengals defense has been their secondary. They rank 26th in the NFL, allowing over 248 passing yards per game. That's a contrast to their ability to stop the run. Cincinnati is the 5th best rush defense in the NFL, so the Raiders will look to move the ball through the air. The best way to limit Carr and the Raiders passing attack; keep them on the sidelines.
Mixon had a highly successful season for the Bengals in 2021. He finished with 1,205 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. That placed him third and fourth in the NFL respectively. But what Mixon has done to the Raiders particularly is even more impressive.
Joe Mixon can't wait for his fourth career game against the Raiders, he's been wildly successful against them:
2018: 130 scrimmage yards + 2 TD
2019: 103 scrimmage yards + 1 TD
2021: 123 scrimmage yards + 2 TDHe is the FIRST NFL player to ever do this. pic.twitter.com/AEFFcSmH8O
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) January 11, 2022
He has over 100 scrimmage yards in his three career games against them, scoring five touchdowns.
I fully expect the Bengals to come out and try to establish the run. The Raiders have a decent secondary, but have been shaky at stopping ground games. Mixon has been outspoken this week about how badly he wants to win this game. He will set the tone early, allowing for Burrow to eventually open up the offense as the game goes on.
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