CINCINNATI — When your star running back calls a meeting with the group largely responsible for his success or lack thereof, you know he’s serious about getting things going in the right direction. <\/p>\n
Joe Mixon has had meetings with his offensive line before, like in 2019, when things were sluggish to start. Sluggish is actually an understatement. Mixon’s season began with games of 10, 17, 60 and 62 yards. His first four games this season: 82, 57, 24 and 61 yards. <\/p>\n
His breakthrough that season was 114 yards on 31 carries on Nov. 10 against Baltimore. He finished with a flourish, with games of 146 yards, 136 and 162 yards in three of his last four games. In 2019, he finished with 1137 yards for a 4.1 yards per carry average. This year, Mixon – averaging 2.7 YPC in the first four games – isn’t about to wait till November to get his run groove going.<\/p>\n
So, when he called a pow wow with his road map guides last Wednesday before Thursday’s showdown with the Dolphins, Mixon knew there was much more potential to be tapped into, with a bigger goal at the end of the road. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. For sure. Them boys put in the work. Last week, we even had a meeting. I called for a meeting with them just to see what they\u2019re thinking on certain runs or what they think I should do on certain runs. I feel like that will definitely be beneficial down the road and taking that next step on coming together and building that chemistry on and off the field. I think that\u2019s going to take us a long way down the road so I look forward to it.\u201d <\/p>\n
I\u2019m very optimistic (about) the numbers coming and being able to produce like I know how and like our linemen know how they can do. I have no worry and no doubt in my mind that the running game is going to take off.”<\/p>\n
Mixon is right to be confident about his prospects going forward. This Bengals interior line is clearly gaining push with every game. It’s obvious from watching the film and it’s obvious to the naked eye, like on the opening drive vs. Miami, when the rugby scrum ended in the end zone with Mixon’s first rushing TD of 2022. <\/p>\n
“I felt like there’s more to come to that,” Mixon told me. “I look forward to getting down and dirty with those guys. I know we’re literally super close to taking off and the big plays will come. I’m as patient as ever, but when my time comes I’m definitely going to seize the opportunity for sure.”<\/p>\n
\nStarting off HOT ?#TNF<\/a> | ? @NFLonPrime<\/a>, @WCPO<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/aTr935F6mm<\/a><\/p>\n
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 30, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n