It was another Lou Anarumo masterclass. On Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals arguably outplayed the reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champion, Kansas City Chiefs. Despite that, the Chiefs were victorious, 26-25 thanks to some pivotal mistakes by the Bengals and a few interesting decisions made by a few individuals on the field.
Among those interesting decisions, there will be clinics put on both by coaches and officials on the 4th and 16 play that effectively ended the game.
After picking up a first down, the Chiefs were called for illegal hands to the face as the Chiefs’ left tackles struggled mightily against Trey Hendrickson. Then, on 4th and 16, Mahomes was flushed by a three-man rush and overthrew Rashee Rice. On the play, rookie safety Daijahn Anthony made contact with the embattled receiver while going up to get the ball and was called for pass interference that happens on every Hail Mary and is never called.
Regardless, it was Anthony’s second massive “penalty” with the first being an incredibly soft illegal contact call that negated a DJ Turner interception.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has routinely had a winning formula against the Chiefs and did so again in Week 2. However, his decision to 1.) only rush three and, 2.) have a seventh-round rookie on the field, have come under scrutiny.
Lou Anarumo Stands Behind Controversial 4th-Down Package
As it is, Anarumo stands by his decision to rush three and have Anthony out there.
Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo on the defensive package he called on fourth-and-16: "I'd call that a hundred out of a hundred times, if anybody is questioning it."
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) September 16, 2024
Throughout Training Camp and in preseason, Anthony has evidently won over the coaching staff and while he is not getting a massive number of snaps, he’s getting important ones. His being on the field on fourth-and-game speaks volumes considering that previous penalty. Anarumo trusts the rookie from Ole Miss to make a play and, realistically, he did.
Additionally, the Bengals only rushed three on that fourth down: Trey Hendrickson, Joseph Ossai, and Zack Carter. In reality, Anarumo’s hand was forced. Both B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins left the game with hamstring injuries. Going into the game, rookies Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson have yet to make their debuts due to injury. Anarumo said that if they lost one more to injury, Sam Hubbard was going to have to kick inside from his defensive end position.
While giving Mahomes a little more time to keep everything in front of the secondary is advantageous, it’s still Patrick Mahomes. It’s unfortunate for the Bengals that the plan worked but the poor throw was bailed out.
It also didn’t help that Ossai and Carter were mugged on the play.
Was there holding on that fourth and sixteen? Should've been offsetting penalties. BTW there was actually 2 holding calls…not called. No mention. pic.twitter.com/MELKWLHb3W
— Tom Holloway (@PastorTom2009) September 16, 2024
The most annoying thing about this game was the fact that this game was the worst game of Mahomes’ career in terms of passing yards. The only game he threw for fewer yards was against the Denver Broncos in 2019 in the game he left with an injury. And yet, the Bengals couldn’t get it done, controversial 4th down penalty or not.
On to Washington
Bengals vs. Chiefs will dominate the talking points all year and the hype of a potential rematch in the playoffs will feed families. However, the point remains that the Bengals are now 0-2 and are sharing the bottom of the AFC North with fellow Super Bowl hopeful, Baltimore Ravens, who lost to the Ravens the week prior by a toe.
Getting back to the playoffs starts on Monday Night Football against the Washington Commanders.
Monday marks the first time since 2008 that the NFL team located in Washington D.C. plays a game in Cincinnati against the Bengals. They last played in 2020 at FedEx Field. That was the game where rookie Joe Burrow‘s knee was obliterated.
The time before that was a “home” game for the Bengals at Wembley Stadium which resulted in a tie in 2016.
The Bengals open as an 8.5-point favorite heading into Monday Night Football. If they play as they did in Week 1, it’ll be a game. If they play as they did in Week 2, it’ll be a good get-right game with the NFL’s worst team waiting in Week 4.
