:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65851258/usa_today_13768471.0.jpg)
Joe Mixon provided the lone bright spot in the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense, as the team fell to 1-12 following a 19-27 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. The Browns improved to 6-7 on the year behind a strong performance from the backfield duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Chubb finished the game with 106 yards rushing on 15 carries, though he was unable to find the end zone. Hunt finished the game with only 28 yards on nine carries, though he was able to find pay dirt on a three yard score.
Randy Bullock had a busy day, as the Bengals had a difficult time finding the end zone. Bullock finished the game as the leading scorer for the Bengals, with a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals. Bullock kicked a long FG of 46 yards, and tacked on one extra point follwing Joe Mixon’s one yard rushing TD in the second quarter.
Mixon had his best performance of the fantasy season, carrying the ball 23 times for 146 yards and one touchdown. He also added three receptions for 40 yards, bringing him to a grand total of 27.6 PPR fantasy points for the day. This performance comes just in time for the playoffs for fantasy owners who may have been disappointed in Mixon’s 13.9 average points per game on the season. Mixon will look to keep things going in a tough match-up with the New England Patriots in Week 15, before things get easier vs. a soft Dolphins run defense in Week 16.
Mixon and Bullock were unable to carry the team on their back, as the Bengals were outpaced overall by the Browns. Andy Dalton was intercepted by Denzel Ward for a 61 yard TD in the first quarter to give the Browns the early lead. The Bengals briefly regained the lead following Mixon’s rushing TD, however they were unable to score a TD the rest of the way. The Browns went on to score two rushing touchdowns, compliments of Baker Mayfield and Kareem Hunt, and also got their kicker Austin Seibert involved for two field goals to obtain their ultimate margin of victory.
With this victory, the Browns cling to a sliver of hope that they can make it into the playoffs, though their path to the postseason is nearly impossible. That being said, crazier things have happened in the NFL, so it remains a situation to monitor.