Joe Mixon isn’t stressing his offensive line’s problems

Don’t tell Joe Mixon his offensive line has a tough outlook.

The Cincinnati Bengals running back hears the noise but has quite the counter-argument — check the numbers.

Here’s what Mixon had to say, according to Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer: “People fail to realize, they always saying our line is weak. They don’t remember we have the AFC’s leading rusher…They are failing to realize that. But we are going to wake them up soon.”

Fair point, as Mixon ran behind an underperforming line last year and still ended up leading the AFC in rushing. The offense was also without Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and a host of others.

Critics aren’t wrong, though. The team tried to move Cordy Glenn out of left tackle to guard, then lost first-round pick Jonah Williams. Glenn is the left tackle but in concussion protocol. Michael Jordan is a rookie at left guard. First-round product Billy Price isn’t a starter, John Miller is a new arrival his old team was willing to lose and Bobby Hart was one of the NFL’s worst last year.

So yes, there are some issues worth pointing out. But a new coach, quick release and Mixon’s outright talent could cover up some of these problems.

We know one thing for sure — Mixon has a big chance to back up the talk against a strong Seattle defense over the weekend.