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It took until November, but the Cincinnati Bengals finally notched their first home victory of the season with a commanding 41-24 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. Quarterback Joe Burrow led the team with a stellar performance, reminding everyone why he's one of the league's premier talents.

Joe Burrow was nothing short of sensational. With the weight of potentially falling to a dismal 3-6 record, Burrow delivered when it mattered most. He started the game with 15 consecutive completions and finished with five touchdown passes. Despite his impressive performance, Burrow's competitive spirit was on full display. He wasn't satisfied even when the Bengals had a 31-10 lead. After Cincinnati’s first punt of the game, Burrow showed visible frustration on the sidelines, illustrating his high expectations. “If we don’t score a touchdown on a drive, I’m not gonna be very happy, for the rest of the year,” said Burrow post-game, setting a high standard for himself and his team.

As the Bengals prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Burrow's focus remains unwavering. He chose not to celebrate the win excessively, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and hard work. Indeed, his attitude is a model of leadership by example.

Running back Chase Brown also had a breakout performance. Earlier in the season, Brown’s yards per carry were impressive, but the Bengals’ running game had struggled as of late. With Zack Moss sidelined due to a neck injury, Brown stepped up to fill the void. He carried the ball 27 times, achieving a career-high 120 yards with an average of 4.4 yards per carry. His longest run of the game was a solid 21 yards, demonstrating his ability to consistently gain positive yardage. This performance is a promising sign, especially with Moss’s return still uncertain.

Head coach Zac Taylor showed some learning curves in play-calling. In a bold move, Taylor elected to go for it on a 4th-and-3 during Cincinnati's opening drive. The decision paid off as Brown caught a touchdown pass from Burrow. Taylor also allowed Burrow to throw deep late in the game, resulting in a big touchdown to Mike Gesicki. However, not all of Taylor’s calls were successful. A pass to Ja’Marr Chase behind the line of scrimmage led to an interception returned for a touchdown by Jack Jones. Despite the missteps, Taylor’s inclination to let Burrow be aggressive appears to be a step in the right direction.

As the Bengals look ahead to their next game, the lessons from this victory over the Raiders bode well for their future. With Burrow’s high standards and Taylor’s evolving play-calling, Cincinnati fans have reason to be optimistic.