B.J. Hill’s Redemption Game; Joe Burrow’s Determination; Chase Brown and D.J. Turner Shine | Postgame Highlights
In the aftermath of the Bengals’ gritty 17-7 victory over the Giants, defensive end Sam Hubbard referred to the matchup as the “B.J. Hill Revenge Game,” while quarterback Joe Burrow emphasized its importance, stating, “It was a game we really needed.”
“It was great to see the defense step up like that,” Burrow commented, acknowledging he played below his usual standards despite completing 19 of 28 passes for 208 yards. “They’ve been under some scrutiny the last few weeks, but they played outstanding today.”
Late in the game, Burrow took a hit on a third-down incompletion while the Bengals were holding a slim 10-7 lead. He was briefly checked for a concussion in the medical tent, reflecting the toughness needed to secure their first road victory over the Giants.
“I felt fine; I just had the wind knocked out of me,” Burrow explained.
With the clock winding down and needing 12 yards on a critical third down, Burrow rolled to his left to evade the relentless Giants defense. He delivered a powerful throw across his body for a 29-yard completion to wide receiver Andrei Iosivas, setting up running back Chase Brown’s 30-yard touchdown run that sealed the win with 1:52 remaining.
This moment showcased determination, especially considering that Brown and fellow running back Zack Moss had combined for just 36 yards prior to that play—less than Burrow’s 47-yard scramble for a touchdown just minutes earlier.
“It was a great adjustment. Frank is a veteran coach and saw something during the game,” said center Ted Karras, referring to offensive line coach Frank Pollack’s strategic changes. Pollack implemented a zone concept that allowed Brown to exploit an inside gap for a significant gain. Head coach Zac Taylor noted that while they practiced this play throughout training camp and the season, it wasn’t part of Sunday’s game plan.
Karras effectively handled two-time Pro Bowl tackle Dexter Lawrence, allowing Brown to say, “I was untouched.”
REDEMPTION FOR D.J. TURNER
With the Bengals still clinging to a 10-7 lead and just over three minutes remaining, cornerback D.J. Turner made a crucial play on fourth-and-two from their own 36-yard line. He successfully batted down a pass from quarterback Daniel Jones intended for wide receiver Darius Slayton, mere moments after being penalized for interfering with Slayton in the end zone. That previous penalty had allowed the Giants to tie the game at seven.
“I forgot about it right after it happened,” Turner remarked, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the next play.
That next play proved pivotal, marking the Giants’ second failure in five attempts on fourth down.
Turner described it as “a drag route” in a man-to-man situation, stating, “I knew I had to stay on him.”
Chase Brown’s own redemption came quickly, following an initial fumble after a seven-yard gain to the Giants’ 30-yard line. Fortunately for Brown, the ball slipped through defenders’ hands before going out of bounds.
“I was thinking about it a little,” Brown admitted. “I just told myself to respond, respond, respond. Be calm.”
B.J. HILL SHINES
B.J. Hill returned to his former team as a game captain, delivering a dominant performance at defensive tackle with seven tackles and two quarterback hits on his old friend Daniel Jones. His two crucial deflections—one leading to a turnover and the other setting up a missed field goal—highlighted his impact.
“I was just trying to get my hands up,” Hill said of his deflections, recalling the emotions of returning to a place he spent three years.
“It was a little emotional at the start. They gave me an opportunity when they drafted me, and to come back here and win means a lot to me.”
BURROW’S MARATHON RUN
Burrow’s impressive 47-yard touchdown run was the longest ever by a Bengals quarterback. Taylor revealed that Burrow had two pass plays called on third-and-18, but when he read the coverage, he made a quick decision.
“We do that on third down,” Burrow said, noting he saw an opening down the right side.
When asked about his confidence in avoiding a safety as he reached for the pylon, Burrow replied, “I knew he wasn’t going to catch me.”
Reflecting on his longest run since elementary school, Burrow chuckled, “Seventy, 80 yards. They couldn’t stop the quarterback sneak.”
A SOLID PERFORMANCE BY REHKOW
Rookie punter Ryan Rehkow, who had a rocky outing last week, rebounded with a solid performance despite averaging below his usual yardage. He placed four of his six punts inside the 20-yard line, while gunner Tycen Anderson contributed with two tackles. The Giants’ kicker missed two field goals, while Bengals kicker Evan McPherson successfully made a crucial 37-yard field goal to give Cincinnati the lead in the third quarter.