AJ Green, as usual, provided the highlight of the day for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Said highlight will garner thousands of searches on YouTube. It will be talked about for days. It will definitely give his team’s playoff chances a hard pop. (OK, you get the idea – we’re trying to spin this as positively as we can, and it’s not working).
Green and Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Jalen Ramsey were ejected near the end of the second quarter after Green grabbed Ramsey in a headlock, slammed him to the turf, and started throwing punches. It was one of several things that went wrong for Cincinnati in Sunday’s 23-7 loss to the Jaguars. Cincy is now 3-5 and their offense, scoring 12.5 points per game, is harder to find than Waldo.
HOW THINGS WENT
The Jaguars were in control of this game from … ohhh, about the opening kickoff. Cincinnati ran the fewest plays in team history (37) and were outgained 407-148. Jacksonville didn’t even need super rookie RB Leonard Fournette, who was benched for breaking a team rule. They rushed for 149 yards and had all the points they needed when Marquise Lee caught a 3-yard TD pass with just under seven minutes left in the first half to take a 10-0 lead.
The Bengals were only down 13-7 when Green was ejected. But the fight cost Cincinnati arguably its best offensive player. The team was effectively toast after that. Cincinnati only gained 25 yards the rest of the way. The defense was on the field for 40:14 and was gassed beyond belief. Heck, we’re impressed they only gave up 23 points, even if they didn’t sack quarterback Blake Bortles.
CINCINNATI BENGALS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Ben-Gals cheerleader Sarah. She made the 2017 Pro Bowl. Seems like she’s long overdue for some recognition.
WHAT THIS MEANS GOING FORWARD
If Green is suspended for his WWE-audition-tape-in-pads, it could very well be the biggest punch in the gut to the Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff chances. Green’s absence in any game severely hurts the downfield passing attack, which is the team’s strength. It could mean the difference between a win and a loss. That’s extra maddening with three toss-up games next on the schedule and little margin for error in the AFC North standings.
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