Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals: 3 Takeaways from Week 4 Win

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Sep 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) looks on prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals not only found a way to win on Thursday Night Football, but did it convincingly. Here are our five takeaways from the week four win.

Vontaze Burfict is the Heart of this Defense

Burfict’s first game back in a Bengals uniform was spectacular. Even though he did not play every snap and did not make every tackle, just his presence alone made all the difference. This is the defense we saw during the 2014 and ’15 seasons.

The Bengals pass rush not only doubled their sack total on the season, but took it one step further to go from four sacks in three games to nine sacks in four games. They only gave Ryan Tannehill time on the first drive, which he took advantage of with a 71-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Stills. However, after that play, the Bengals nearly shut down the Dolphins offense completely.

Chris Lewis-Harris got his first career interception and ended a drive that the Dolphins looked like momentum was swinging a little. Tannehill is probably blaming the practice squad again.

However, I am still not impressed with George Iloka. He was better but giving up the first touchdown pass and then launching himself into his teammate who was trying to make a tackle is not how you play the game, just ask Burfict, he was suspended for supposedly doing just that.

Overall, the Bengals defense had heart, it was something they hadn’t shown until this week. It was Vontaze Burfict’s first game back from the suspension. It may be coincidence, however, it is more likely the emotion Burfict brings to that sideline.

Sep 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) looks on prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

A.J. Green was Playing an Inspired Game

We know that A.J. Green is the best receiver the Bengals have. In week two against the Steelers, it looked like he lost his identity. In week four, not only was he back, but he looked like he had something to prove.

A.J. Green had his second 175+ game with one touchdown. In fact, the Bengals are now 2-0 when Green gets a touchdown. It is not only something we should see every week from the Bengals top receiver, but something we are seeing, that he expects out of himself.

His stats put him 60 yards ahead of Marvin Jones, who will play on Sunday, but more importantly 150 yards ahead of Antonio Brown, who has been argued as the best receiver in football. Green is one of the top wide receivers in the league and the rest of the NFL got a glimpse of why.

Next week, the Cincinnati Bengals head to Dallas to take on the Cowboys. The Cowboys defense is ranked 23rd against the pass so I like the match up potential. Can he carry himself into next week against Dallas and have a repeat performance?

Sep 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (97) lines up again Cincinnati Bengals center Russell Bodine (61) in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 22-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

This Offensive Line Gave Dalton Time

Andy Dalton was beaten, battered, and bruised over the past three games. In fact, before Thursday night, he was sacked 12 times, including seven against the New York Jets, and was rushed/hurried a number of other times.

The offensive line was much better last night. Granted they weren’t playing the Broncos, but even the Jets defense had constant pressure on Dalton in week one. It was something that the Dolphins struggled with until the Bengals got into scoring range.

More from Stripe Hype

In fact, Dalton through for 297 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked once and a bad snap, plus one bad blocking job created two fumbles but both were smartly covered by Dalton. He was able to stay interception free to improve his season TD to INT rate 3:2.

There is one factor though to this offensive line that could hurt, if it lingers, and it’s the shoulder injury to Clint Boling. He injured his shoulder in the third quarter, and although he did return briefly, he eventually left the field and did not return.

Jake Fisher is the backup offensive everything and would most likely get the nod if Boling’s injury lingers through the long week. Eric Winston would be behind Fisher.

The Bengals will head to AT&T Stadium to take on the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are without Tony Romo, but Dak Prescott has found ways to win and get to 2-1 on the season. The Cincinnati Bengals defense will be looking to shut them down, while the offense tries to take advantage of the 22nd best defense in the league.

This article originally appeared on