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Journal-News, Hamilton, Ohio
Cincinnati Bengals: Higgins remains on pace for career year
- Story byJournal-News, Hamilton, Ohio
- Cincinnati Bengals: Higgins remains on pace for career year
Tee Higgins could have gone elsewhere and made a lot more money as another team's No. 1 wide receiver, but the Cincinnati Bengals found a way to keep him and Ja'Marr Chase last offseason when both signed new contracts as a package deal.
Keeping both receivers seemed impossible up until then, and the Bengals investing so heavily into one position came as a surprise to many. Their contracts totaled $276 million, but they've made that investment worthwhile.
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Higgins, whose injury history made the extension perhaps seem risky, especially is proving his value to the organization this season. Higgins is on pace for a career year, averaging 103.7 yards receiving per game, which would put him at 1,763 yards for the season at that rate.
The 2020 second-round draft pick was named the American Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday, Nov. 4, after racking up 155 yards and two touchdowns on 10 catches in an overtime win against the Titans. He looks to build off that performance this week when the Bengals (5-2) play the Atlanta Falcons (3-5) in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday, Nov. 8.
"Tee's a special person, special player," Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said. "He's going and proving everything that we knew he was right now, and we're going to keep feeding him, and obviously still trying to get Ja'Marr the ball. But the way that Tee's playing right now, it's hard not to throw his way."
Nine of Higgins' 10 receptions Sunday, Nov. 1, went for 10 or more yards, including both of his touchdowns. He caught a 17-yard scoring pass early in the third quarter to extend Cincinnati's lead to 20-13, then hauled in an 18-yard touchdown reception with 1:17 remaining in the fourth quarter to set up the game-tying PAT.
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Higgins' 155 receiving yards were the third-most in any game in his career, and he became the second player this season to record at least 10 receptions, 150 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in a game, joining Carolina wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who did it in Week 4. His 726 yards receiving through seven games is just 120 yards off his total from last year over 15 games. Only Seattle's Jaxon Smith-Njigba has more yards with 985 yards on 64 catches.
"I'm having a lot of fun out here with these guys," Higgins said about his season so far. "I come to work with a smile on my face, so that's the main thing. You know, as long as I get to come work and have fun, I feel like it's unbeatable."
Cincinnati Bengals trying to find solutions to recurring problems on defense
Higgins to this point has always been the "1B" receiver behind "1A" Chase, but the Bengals are getting more production out of Higgins for whatever reason this year. Chase has 492 yards receiving (234 fewer yards than Higgins) and six touchdowns, which ties him for most on the team with Mike Gesicki.
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Burrow said it's "too simplistic" to compare the numbers between Higgins and Chase and attribute that to how defenses are playing Chase. Surprisingly, Higgins and Chase have the exact same number of catches (43) and targets (61) through seven games.
"I think Tee's having a lot of production because Tee's a great player," Burrow said.
At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Higgins is a reliable target and a tough matchup for defenders.
But, one noticeable difference for Higgins this season is his 169 yards after catch, which is already three more yards than last year's total. That is something he has been working to improve, and he had a season-high 37 yards after the catch on Sunday.
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"I mean, anytime I get the ball, I try to make plays, so that's my job, you know, and that's one thing I emphasize this season is, you know, get some yards after the catch, and just hopefully I keep it going," Higgins said.
Burrow said there are certain throws he makes to Higgins that he couldn't with someone else simply because of the trust he has with Higgins.
He plans to keep utilizing his best weapons as long as it keeps working. In their seventh year playing together, there's no reason to believe that will end any time soon.
"I trust Tee and I know Tee's gonna see exactly what I'm seeing and go and get that thing," Burro said. "We have constant dialogue about different looks, different routes. Tee's getting better about being vocal about how he sees it and how he wants it, and that helps me.
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"Tee's really seeing it right now," Burrow continued. "He's explosive. He's as big and as strong as I've seen him. He's as strong through the catch point as I've ever seen him, so we're gonna keep getting him going."
