Bengals' Joe Mixon has 'long overdue' big game, sets team mark with 5 TDs

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CINCINNATI -- No running backs in Cincinnati Bengals history had a game like the one Joe Mixon had Sunday. Mixon set the franchise record for the most touchdowns in a single game in the team's 42-21 rout of the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Mixon scored five times, with a 14-yard touchdown in the third quarter setting the record. The mark was previously held by three players: Larry Kinnebrew (1984), Corey Dillon (1997) and Marvin Jones Jr . (2013).

Mixon said by the time of his second or third carry of the game, he knew it was going to be a game where the rushing attack was going to emphasized. "I'm just very excited to come through and deliver for my teammates," Mixon said after the game. "It's been long overdue." Mixon had four rushing touchdowns, which matched Dillon's mark 25 yards ago against the Tennessee Titans. The running back also had one receiving touchdown, a 12-yard catch at the end of the first half.

Mixon had 211 total yards from scrimmage -- 153 rushing, 58 receiving. He became the sixth player in the Super Bowl era with at least 200 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns in one game. Things started clicking from the team's opening drive of the game. Mixon caught a delayed screen pass from quarterback Joe Burrow and turned it into a 35-yard gain. He capped that possession with a 2-yard rushing score in what was a preview for the rest of the game.

Bengals players and coach Zac Taylor spread the praise around for Mixon 's big outing -- from the varied run concepts to blocking from the offensive line, tight ends and wide receivers. Mixon credited Taylor for sticking with the run and allowing the running back to establish a rhythm.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34966145/bengals-joe-mixon-runs-panthers-sets-team-mark-5-tds