Led by a monster day from Joe Mixon, the Cincinnati Bengals put down the Cleveland Browns 33-23 to close the 2019 season.
Before the Bengals head off toward the draft with the No. 1 pick in hand, let’s take a look at the winners and losers from the contest.
Winner: Joe Mixon
Mixon hitting 1,000 yards was never in doubt for this one. But he went well over the 25 he needed to do so, piling up 162 yards and a score on a 6.2 per-carry average with two touchdowns. Rest assured his play will carry over to next year for what should be an offensive on the rebound.
Loser: B.W. Webb
Not a good showing for Webb, who got beat multiple times. He came on this season due to familiarity with Lou Anarumo and has played through a broken bone in his forearm. But the extended exposure has shown he’s probably better suited in a backup role.
Winner: C.J. Uzomah
Uzomah caught a touchdown in the first half, serving as a reminder he’s even on the roster. Like someone such as Giovani Bernard, the coaching staff has had a hard time working in Uzomah at times. With Tyler Eifert headed to free agency, he could see an even bigger role next season.
Winner: Fred Johnson
How about the rookie? After eating a chunk of Cordy Glenn’s snaps a week ago, Johnson was out there again at left tackle and had some notable big plays in the running game and otherwise. The waiver claim by the Bengals this year could end up being a starter next season.
Loser: Andy Dalton
What could be Dalton’s last stand didn’t flash much. He tossed a score and ran for another but also had a pick and at least one pass that should’ve gone back for a pick-six. He completed just 16 of 28 attempts for 190 yards. That’s all in line with Dalton’s season as a whole, minus one quarter in Miami, which isn’t helping him much.
Winner: Germaine Pratt
Pratt popped off the screen on a few big plays Sunday, shutting down runs and even getting after the passer. He’s slowly turning into the starter the Bengals envisioned when they drafted him and it quietly goes down as one of the biggest wins of the late-season stretch.
Somewhere between: Darius Phillips
Sunday was a chance for Phillips to show he belongs in the base defense. William Jackson was out and Darqueze Dennard is a free agent. But he stumbled early, coughing up a long touchdown pass as the Bengals fell behind 7-0. He gave up another and picked off another pass too. The ball skills are there and growing pains were expected. He’s still an electric returner, but this sort of performance could change how a franchise acts in free agency and the draft.
