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Bengals coach Zac Taylor defended running back Joe Mixon after he was held to just 16 yards on eight carries in the team's loss to the Steelers. Taylor dismissed the notion that the loss could be pinned on Mixon and emphasized that it was a collective effort. Mixon's lack of production came in the team's first game with quarterback Jake Browning playing in place of the injured Joe Burrow. Despite the poor performance, Mixon has had a season where a career-high percentage of his carries have surpassed expectations.
Joe Mixon | RB
Injury
- Zac Taylor defended Mixon and said the lack of production was not his fault
- Mixon finished with -16 rush yards over expectation, his second-worst total in that category this season
- Mixon's 16 total rushing yards were his lowest since Week 7 of the 2019 season
- A career-high 41.9% of Mixon's carries this season have surpassed expectations
Cincinnati Bengals
- The Bengals lost their third consecutive game
- Quarterback Joe Burrow is out for the season with a torn ligament in his right wrist
- The offense managed just one touchdown against the Steelers
- Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan emphasized the need for consistency in the rushing attack
- The Bengals allowed their quarterback to audible in or out of a run play depending on the defensive formation
- The Bengals have lost three consecutive games
Pittsburgh Steelers
- The Steelers won their first game since firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada
- Stopping Joe Mixon was a focal point for the Steelers given the Bengals' quarterback change
- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin praised the team's stout run defense