The Cincinnati Bengals came into Arizona in Week 5 to face the Cardinals struggling. They had one of the worst offenses in the NFL. With quarterback Joe Burrow apparently fully healthy of the calf issue he had been dealing with, he led the Bengals to an offensive breakout.
He threw three touchdown passes, all to receiver Ja’Marr Chase, and surpassed 300 passing yards for the first time all season. Meanwhile, Cardinals quarterback Josh Dobbs turned the ball over three times, throwing two interceptions, one which was returned for a touchdown.
Buy Cardinals TicketsCincinnati looked like the team they were expected to be this season, beating Arizona 34-20.
They improve to 2-3 and send Arizona to their second straight losses, dropping them to 1-4 on the season.
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Bengals 7, Cardinals 0
That's a @Real10jayy__ TUDDY #CINatAZ | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/ewnrYsGO3F
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 8, 2023
The Bengals didn’t have any problems moving the ball on their first drive.
The Cardinals went three-and-out with Josh Dobbs getting sacked once.
After that, the Bengals went 64 yards in 11 plays and scored their first touchdown on the road this season, a two-yard pass from Joe Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase.
Antonio Hamilton playing
An early personnel note is that on defense, Antonio Hamilton was playing cornerback instead of rookie Kei’Trel Clark. Hamilton was announced as a starter, too.
Big punt return after another 3-and-out
The Cardinals went three-and-out for the second straight possession to start the game. The Bengals, already with a seven-point lead, got a 28-yard punt return by Trenton Irwin, giving them the ball in Arizona territory for their second drive.
Bengals 10, Cardinals 0
Kevin Strong Jr. with the SACK of Joe Burrow! pic.twitter.com/Rr5tEFhSKG
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) October 8, 2023
The Bengals continued to carve up the Arizona defense, getting into a goal-to-go scenario. But Burrow threw his first incompletion and then, after avoiding one would-be sack, was sacked for a loss of 15 by Kevin Strong on third-and-goal, and they ended the drive with a 40-yard field goal.
Antonio Hamilton hurt
After getting the start at cornerback, Hamilton exited the game in the second drive. He was taken to the locker room and it was announced he had an ankle injury and was questionable to return.
Cardinals score! Bengals 10, Cardinals 7
file this under things we absolutely love to see 🗃@josh_dobbs1 x @Primetime_jet pic.twitter.com/GICbc6hdPr
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 8, 2023
The Cardinals found rhythm offensively in their third drive. Dobbs threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Hollywood Brown to get on the board. Brown also had an 18-yard play on the drive that was nine plays for 75 yards.
1st career sack for Dante Stills
STILLS GOING STRONG 💪@Dstills55 x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/G3cNA1Apmn
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 8, 2023
The Cardinals forced a three-and-out when rookie defensive tackle Dante Stills got his first NFL sack.
Cardinals 14, Bengals 10
Welcome Back, Zach!@ZERTZ_86 x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/gPOXXuuINR
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 8, 2023
Momentum changed to the Cardinals’ favor. After Stills’ sack, Greg Dortch had a 16-yard punt return and the Bengals gave the Cardinals 15 more yards on a penalty.
James Conner ripped off a 35-yard run and Dobbs threw a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz to give the Cardinals the lead.
James Conner hurt
After his 35-yard run, Conner was taken to the locker room. He suffered a knee injury. It was announced his return was questionable, although before the end of the first half, he was back on the sideline with his helmet.
GOALLINE STUFF
The Bengals got down near the goalline and the Cardinals stuffed them inside the one on fourth-and-goal.
And then a pick-six: Bengals 17, Cardinals 14
CAM'S GOT THE JUICE (AND THE BALL)#CINatAZ | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/wGIKV1NODg
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 8, 2023
Two plays after the turnover on downs, Dobbs missed a throw to Zach Pascal and it was intercepted by Cam Taylor-Britt, who returned it 11 yards for the touchdown. It was Dobbs’ first interception of the season.
Jalen Thompson exits with hamstring injury
Thompson went to the locker room early before halftime. He suffered a hamstring injury and was announced as questionable to return.
Bengals 24, Cardinals 14
Coming out of halftime, Joe Burrow throws a bomb to Ja’Marr Chase for a 63-yard touchdown pass on the third play of the drive.
Bengals 24, Cardinals 20: Emari Demercado scores first NFL TD
First of his NFL Career 🙌@Money_E3 x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/Fo42ZYbNkH
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 8, 2023
The Cardinals answered after the long Chase touchdown with a methodical drive. Emari Demercado got the bulk of the work in the 11-play drive with runs of eight and nine yards. He capped the drive with his first NFL touchdown, an 11-yard run.
Matt Prater missed the extra point wide left
K'VON WALLACE INT
going the other way 👉@KVonWallace x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/srVcoLM83O
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 8, 2023
The Bengals were driving on their next drive after the Cardinals’ touchdown. The Cardinals took the ball away.
On third down in Arizona territory, Burrow was picked off by safety K’Von Wallace, giving the Cardinals the ball down four points at their own 34.
It was his first career interception.
TRICKERY! 41-YARD RONDALE MOORE RUN
Drew Petzing is so good. I’m worried he’s a little too good. GMs have to be noticing. pic.twitter.com/dF7OGk9mEB
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) October 8, 2023
On the first play after the interception, Rondale Moore took a direct snap, faked a reverse handoff to Hollywood Brown and ran free for a 41-yard gain.
Failed 4th down
The Cardinals were faced with a 4th-and-1 at the 21. Rather than kicking the field goal to cut the deficit to one point and rather than a traditional “tush push” quarterback sneak, Josh Dobbs attempted to run from shotgun and was stopped for no gain, turning the ball over on downs.
Another TD for Ja'Marr Chase - Bengals 31, Cardinals 20
After the Cardinals failed to convert on fourth down, Cincinnati’s offense ate nearly nine minutes of clock on 15 plays. Burrow threw his third touchdown pass of the game to Ja’Marr Chase, giving the Bengals a 31-20 lead with 7:48 left in the game.
Strip sack! Dobbs turns it over
On the very first play of the next drive for the Cardinals, Trey Hendrickson forced Dobbs to fumble and Sam Hubbard recovered, giving the Bengals the ball at the Arizona 28.
Bengals 34, Cardinals 20
The Bengals could get into the end zone but did tack on three more points with a 40-yard field goal, extending the lead to 14 points with 6:33 to go.
Another turnover
Dobbs was sacked on the next drive and then, on fourth down, Dobbs threw his second interception of the game. That throw was picked off by linebacker Germaine Pratt, giving the Bengals the ball at the Arizona 48.
Another turnover on downs
The Cardinals forced the Bengals to punt after the interception but could not move the ball on offense. They turned the ball over on downs. Dobbs was nearly intercepted again.
