Gesicki’s big day helps the Bengals get a sorely needed victory against the Raiders

CINCINNATI (AP) — Mike Gesicki finally got to do “The Griddy” with Ja’Marr Chase in the end zone.

Gesicki caught two touchdown passes in Cincinnati’s 41-24 victory over Las Vegas on Sunday, providing a big lift for the Bengals. The veteran tight end finished with five receptions for a season-high 100 yards.

Cincinnati (4-5) played without star receiver Tee Higgins, who was sidelined by a quad injury. Rookie receiver Jermaine Burton was a surprise scratch after he was expected to take on an expanded role.

With Joe Burrow and Chase in need of some help in the passing game, Gesicki delivered.

“Gesicki is a guy we’ve been able to lean on,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “There was a lull there in the season where he doesn’t get a lot of targets. That’s just the way this offense goes sometimes. Joe does a great job dispersing it to wherever the concept’s calling for. Mike has done an excellent job capitalizing on his opportunities.”

It was Gesicki’s first 100-yard receiving day since Oct. 17, 2021, when he had eight catches for 115 yards for the Dolphins in a 23-20 loss at Jacksonville. It was the third 100-yard receiving day of his career. His career high is 130 yards on Sept. 20, 2020, against Buffalo.

“Mike is going to continue to make plays,” Burrow said. “He just continues to get open in zone, win first man, make big -time catches, contested catches. He continues to show why I have so much trust in him. His role is going to continue to increase.”

Burrow tied a career high with five touchdown passes. Chase finished with seven catches for 43 yards, but he still had a significant impact because of the attention he commands when he’s on the field.

Gesicki credited Chase for his 47-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter on a blown assignment by the Raiders defense.

“A lot of the credit goes toward Ja’Marr because of how much attention he gets,” Gesicki said. “My wife probably could have scored on that play. It was just a fake screen and Joe put it out there. Like I said, Halle could have scored on that one. I’m just living right.”

After Gesicki’s first TD of the season, a 10-yard reception that made it 31-10 midway through the third quarter, he celebrated by doing “ The Griddy ” dance with Chase in the end zone. Gesicki did the dance again after his second score.

Gesicki agreed to a one-year contract with Cincinnati in March. He had done “The Griddy” — Chase’s usual TD dance — before while celebrating a touchdown with Miami, but it looked as if his dance moves had improved since joining the Bengals.

Higgins is expected to return for Thursday night’s AFC North clash with the Baltimore Ravens, but the Bengals could be without Erick All Jr. after the rookie tight end left the victory over the Raiders with a right knee injury.

Cincinnati bounced back after an ugly 37-17 loss to Philadelphia last weekend. It has won four of six since dropping its first three games.

It’s a long shot to make a playoff run, but the victory against Las Vegas helped Cincinnati’s positioning.

“Couple of games we wish we could have had back, but we are where we are right now,” Gesicki said. “We’re 4-5 with a divisional opponent on Thursday night. I’m grateful for the opportunities.”

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