Week 4 of the season begins off with the battle of shock groups. Final yr the Cincinnati Bengals shocked the league and took that momentum all the way in which to the Tremendous Bowl. By way of three weeks in 2022, the Miami Dolphins take that crown as they’re 3-0 with a large victory over this yr’s Tremendous Bowl favorites, the Buffalo Payments. This showdown in Cincy needs to be one other thriller for a lot of causes.
Usually, in a matchup the place each groups characteristic quarterbacks that have been each taken in the identical draft, that’s the place all the eye is directed. Nonetheless, individuals are speaking in regards to the vast receiver vs. cornerback matchups this time. Most notably Tyreek Hill in opposition to Eli Apple. These two have been speaking smack since final season when the Bengals beat the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs twice inside a couple of weeks.
Apple is understood for working his mouth, however after Cincinnati’s win over Hill and the Chiefs within the AFC championship recreation, it’s been taken to a different stage. It doesn’t matter the place Hill performs; he owes Apple after final yr. Hill stated as a lot to the media as he lower a professional wrestling model promo sporting his “Macho Man” Randy Savage sun shades.
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In fact, the semi-main occasion is the QB matchup between Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa. Burrow was the No. 1 total decide within the 2020 draft, with Tua going 4 picks later at No. 5. Due to that, they’ll eternally be in comparison with each other. Over the primary two years of their careers, Burrow’s productiveness gave him the sting, primarily based mostly on the Bengals’ Tremendous Bowl run final season. Though Burrow was sacked greater than another QB final yr, Cincy discovered a successful method and practically took house a Lombardi trophy.
Thus far this season, it’s been a distinct story as Tagovailoa has been on fireplace for the undefeated Dolphins. The hole between the 2 is getting smaller. Apart from Week 1, Burrow hasn’t been unhealthy and even threw three touchdowns within the Bengals’ first win of the yr final week over the lowly Jets. Burrow is again on monitor, though he’s continuously taking too many sacks; he’s already tied for the lead once more this yr.
For Tua, it’s like he stepped into an entire new world this season. He has a brand new head coach specializing in offense and a number of weapons that includes an All-Professional wideout in Hill. Tua completed his first two seasons with a QBR below 50, which is taken into account common. By way of his first three video games in ‘22, Tua has posted a QBR of 82.8. Whereas it’s a small pattern dimension, that’s clearly phenomenal. You’d like to see Tagovailoa hold this going all yr however thus far, so good. The top-to-head matchup between these younger QBs will probably be talked about endlessly throughout the telecast of this recreation. Don’t overlook, you’ll want Amazon Prime to catch it.
One thing else to observe for on this recreation would be the Bengals’ protection and the way they defend the deep ball. When Hill was traded to Miami within the offseason, there was concern about Tua having a powerful sufficient arm to get the ball to him downfield. Welp, the Dolphins, have erased any fear that any of us had about that. They’re tied for the league lead in 40+ yard receptions with 5. This Dolphins offense additionally has 11 receptions of 20 yards or extra which is simply two off the league lead. The group/Tua is second in passing yards with 925 and tied for third in TD receptions.
With Cincy, it will likely be the identical issues it’s at all times been. Defend Joe Burrow. Getting the bottom recreation going can be essential, however the extra time Burrow can have with out defenders round him, the higher. That sounds apparent, however Cincy hasn’t achieved an excellent job of executing this thus far. Final week Burrow was sacked solely two occasions, they usually received the sport. Within the first two video games in opposition to the Steelers and Cowboys, Burrow was sacked 13 occasions — seven occasions in opposition to Pittsburgh and 6 in opposition to Dallas.
This recreation needs to be entertaining, with two of one of the best QB-WR duos within the NFL going through off in Tua-Hill vs. Burrow-Ja’Marr Chase. There needs to be loads of scoring for many who take pleasure in that kind of pleasure. Miami ought to win an in depth recreation and get to Burrow sufficient occasions to negate him and Chase.
