Winners and losers after Bengals’ epic rally vs. Dolphins falls flat

The Cincinnati Bengals looked like a team in the middle of a tank for three quarters against the Miami Dolphins before a furious comeback.

Said comeback fell short and the Bengals own the top pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

Here are the winners and losers.

 

Winner: Tyler Boyd

Nov 17, 2019; Oakland, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) stands on the field before the game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

With Joe Mixon sick, Boyd was the only big chance the Bengals had at offensive production on the day. He responded early despite a mess of a first few drives before finishing the day with nine catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

Loser: Billy Price

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ryan Finley (5) and center Billy Price (53) practice snaps during warmups before kickoff of the NFL Week 3 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at New Era Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y., on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019.Cincinnati Bengals At Buffalo Bills

Price got the nod at right guard for the first time in his career and on the team’s first drive passed off a defender that ended up sacking Andy Dalton for a drive-killing result. That ended up being a good sign of how the day would go for the offensive line as a whole, but it’s especially problematic for Price’s future.

Winner: Fred Johnson

Feb 28, 2019; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida offensive lineman Fred Johnson (OL31) speaks to media during the 2019 NFL Combine at Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson isn’t a household name but he came out a big winner on the day. The Bengals gave him some run at left tackle, which is a big boon for the recent rookie waiver claim. Johnson isn’t the long-term plan there thanks to Jonah Williams, but it’s interesting he’s getting a look in place of Cordy Glenn. The rookie has plenty of upside.

Loser: William Jackson

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson (22) warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Promoted as the team’s top corner in most circles, Jackson was absolutely abused on Miami’s second drive. He lost a deep bomb in the air and coughed up a big gain, then got out-muscled for a touchdown a few players later. The Bengals needed to lose this game for draft positioning…but this isn’t a good sign.

Winner: Carlos Dunlap

Nov 24, 2019; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Another strong game for the Bengals defensive end, both in the form of pressures and with swatted passes. He’s had a strong end-of-season push and while his effort didn’t swing the outcome, his effort shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Loser: Andy Dalton

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) sits on the bench in the fourth quarter during a Week 14 NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns won 27-19, and the Cincinnati Bengals fell to 1-12 on the season.Cincinnati Bengals At Cleveland Browns 12 8 2019

Dalton ended up throwing 56 passes and throwing four touchdowns, though his epic rally fell flat. That fact the performance didn’t prevent the Bengals from getting the first pick likely means his eventual replacement is coming to town. That one-quarter rally might not convince other teams in the NFL to come trade for him or sign him as a free agent to be a starter, either.