TE—EE—EE
In spectacular fashion, Higgins set the Bengals record Sunday with his ninth straight home game on a touchdown he gave the Bengals a 20-17 lead with 72 seconds left in the first half. He hauled in that 44-yarder from Flacco on the left sideline after Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright mauled him, and as Higgins fended off Wright, he also, somehow, stretched out his hands to pluck it away and then ran away as Wright no doubt pondered how he had his pocket picked in board daylight.
But Higgins did a lot more than that. He had season-highs seven catches and 121 yards while adding another touchdown to account for 14 points in a dominant effort.
In four games with Flacco, Higgins has 19 catches for 223 yards, and four touchdowns on 29 targets.
"He's really good. I hate to be so simple and have such a bad answer, but I mean, did you see the catch he made on that go route for the first touchdown?" Flacco asked. "It was incredible. I mean, I was laughing. It was just stupid. It was crazy, and I think everybody kind of realized it.
"I had one-on-one with him. I don't really know if I should have thrown it up or just come down. But I'm like, 'It's one-on-one? I'll put one up there.' And as I let it go, I honestly was kind of like, 'I don't know,' and the next thing you know, it's a touchdown."
Quote of the Day
Zac Taylor on his emotions as the Bengals lost their second home game in a week despite scoring 80 points:
"I just can't believe it. Can't believe it. The game was right there, and we just don't find a way to get it done. The game was right there, and all we have to do is make one play. Just one play, and some of these losses turn into wins."
What's Next
The 3-6 Bengals go into their bye week trying to improve a defense that allowed 86 points and 537 rushing yards in the last two weeks. When they return, they'll prepare for a 1 p.m. game on Nov. 16 in Pittsburgh to face the AFC North leaders they beat here on Nov. 16.
"We're going to find a way. We're going to do everything we can to find a way," Taylor said. "I think it's impossible for me to say yes or no. We're going to be trying everything we can, so we'll just keep working at it."