Bengals 34-24 Panthers (September 29, 2024) Game Recap

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Coming into the game, Joe Burrow knew this was as close to an unconditional win as the NFL season began.

And the fifth-year quarterback played like that.

Burrow threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, Chase Brown ran for 80 yards and two scores and the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Carolina Panthers 34-24 on Sunday for their first win of the season.

Of the 155 teams that started 0-4 since the merger, only the 1992 Chargers were able to recover and make the playoffs. The Bengals don't have to worry about going second thanks to an offense that appears to be coming into form and a defense that forced a crucial third-and-out late in the game.

“We knew we had to come and get one,” Burrow said. “There was really no other option but to figure out how to win this game. And we did it.”

He had plenty of help, including from his star receiver.

Ja'Marr Chase had three catches for 85 yards, including a highlight-reel catch-and-run touchdown of 63 yards, combining toughness, quickness and open-field speed into one play. Chase began his route on the right side of the field, caught the ball as it crossed the field, absorbed a big hit, broke a tackle, evaded another defender, then turned the corner and outran the defense to the end zone.

“It's just about contact balance and explosiveness, which are so hard to put together in one shot,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “That speaks to who Ja’Marr is.”

Zack Moss had 78 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown reception and Tee Higgins had six catches for 60 yards and drew two defensive pass interference penalties near the goal line for the Bengals (1-3).

“There was just a different kind of urgency this week,” Moss said.

Andy Dalton threw for 220 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, but fell to 2-2 overall against his former team and was unable to repeat the magic he showed in his first start last week against the Las Vegas Raiders, as he led the Panthers to a 36-22 victory.

Chuba Hubbard had another strong game for Carolina, rushing for 104 yards and a touchdown, and Diontae Johnson overcame a groin injury to catch seven passes for 83 yards and a score.

“I'm encouraged that our football team continues to improve,” said Dave Canales, the Panthers' first-year head coach who is charged with rebuilding a team that went 2-15 last season. “But we have to finish.”

Carolina's pass defense continues to be a problem, having allowed nine touchdown passes and more points than any other team in the league through four games.

Burrow didn't make it easy for Carolina.

He demonstrated outstanding command and presence in the pocket, with his only mistake coming on an interception where he misjudged how Chase would break on his route.

His most impressive play came in the second half when he evaded three pass rushers by running a full circle in the pocket to escape pressure and find Moss for a 21-yard gain to the chains on third down and fifth playing field to move.

This came after Burrow's foot was stepped on early.

“You could call me sneaky athletic,” Burrow said with a wry smile. “I got kicked early and didn't feel good, but nothing crazy. We'll see what it looks like tomorrow. It might be a little bruised.”

The Bengals also rediscovered their running game, amassing 130 yards on the ground in the second half after being held to 11 yards on six carries before halftime.

They got an early boost from their much-maligned defense, which gave the Washington Commanders 38 points last week. After stuffing Carolina on four plays from the 2-yard line on the game's first series, Trey Hendrickson hit Dalton's arm and Vonn Bell returned the interception 32 yards to set up Brown's first touchdown.

Cincinnati took a 28-14 lead on its first possession of the third quarter when Brown capped an eight-play, 71-yard drive with his second touchdown run of the game. The Bengals added a field goal after Johnny Hekker's fake punt pass to Feleipe Franks was broken up on fourth down.

Still, the Panthers showed no signs of stopping.

Dalton quickly led Carolina down the field and hit Johnson with a 21-yard touchdown strike over the middle. Xavier Woods beat Burrow in the red zone, leading to a Carolinas field goal and cutting the lead to seven.

But after punter Ryan Rehkow pinned the Panthers deep in their own field, the Bengals' defense stiffened and forced a crucial three-pointer. McPherson tied the game on the next series with a 46-yarder with 1:14 left.

Legette shows up

With Adam Thielen on injured reserve, first-round draft pick Xavier Legette took advantage of his chance to shine, overcoming two drops and catching six passes for 66 yards, including his first career touchdown, which he celebrated, by pretending to ride a horse.

“He’s really good when he has the ball in his hands,” Dalton said.

Peppers honored

The Panthers honored defensive end Julius Peppers with its Ring of Excellence at halftime after he became the first player drafted by the franchise to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Injuries

Hendrickson suffered a neck stab wound in the fourth quarter and did not return.

The Panthers lost linebackers Shaq Thompson (healing) and Josey LB Jewell (hamstring/groin) to injuries in the second half.

Next

Bengals: Host the Ravens on Sunday.

Panthers: Visit Bears on Sunday.

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