CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow managed to shake off the lingering effects of the right calf strain and help the Bengals just enough to pick up a much needed 19-16 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.
Burrow's availability was in doubt right up until game time, as he returned to practice on Thursday on a limited basis, and on Saturday the team listed him as questionable.
The All-Pro quarterback wasn't as mobile as he usually is, but he still managed to help the Bengals avoid an 0-3 start.
“I pride myself on my availability,” Burrow said. “There is risk to go out there and potentially reinjure it. But there’s also risk to go out there and be 0-3.”
Burrow finished the night 26 for 49 for a season-high 259 yards, but also threw his second interception this season.
Ja’Marr Chase, had a break out game with 12 catches for 141 yards, as nine different Bengals were recipients of Burrow's passes during the evening.
Mixon showed his durability, carrying 19 times for 65 yards. On Cincinnati's first possession of the second half, found a crease off left side and bolted 14 yards for his first touchdown of the season. His score capped off a 10-play, 75-yard drive to give Cincinnati a 13-9 lead.
Mixon's scoring run would also mark the first time this season the reigning AFC North champs held a lead in a game.
In the third quarter, Chase and Burrow would hook up for a 43-yard gain to set up the third of four field goals by Evan McPherson and push the Bengals lead out to 16-9 with 3:09 remaining in the period.
Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford finished 18 for 39 for 269 yards as the Rams fell to 1-2.
Puka Nacua — who racked up 25 receptions for 266 yards in his first two games — was held to just five catches for 72 yards.
The Cincinnati defense was outstanding as they harassed Stafford all evening, sacking him six times — including two by defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Linebacker Logan Wilson intercepted him once in each half, the second two-interception game of the fourth-year linebacker's career.
“Our defense kept us right in this thing," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said.
However, Stafford would try to rally the Rams late in the game, throwing a 1-yard scoring toss to Tutu Atwell, to cut the deficit to three with just over a minute remaining in the game
But Mitchell Wilcox fell on the ensuing onside kick to seal the win for the Bengals.
Cincinnati will be on the road at Tennessee (1-2) next Sunday.
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