Say what you want about the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense, but the offense is nearly unrivaled.
Of course, Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins have contributed significantly to this. But the supporting cast is also really good. Andrei Iosivas contributes significantly to this.
For the first few weeks of the season, Iosivas stepped in admirably for an ailing Higgins, catching five passes for 33 yards and two scores. In Higgins’ return game against Washington, Iosivas had five receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown. Iosivas had emerged as the Bengals’ long-awaited red zone threat.
In a recent interview with Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, Iosivas stated, “I think the red zone stuff was just kind of an anomaly.” “Everyone enjoys scoring touchdowns, but that happened to be what I did at the start of my career. I’m versatile across the field. I become open everywhere. So it’s wherever the ball finds me.
Iosivas’ position has been reduced in the last two weeks, as Higgins has returned to 100% (or as near to it as feasible), but his contributions remain notable.
In Cincinnati’s only win of the season vs Carolina, Iosivas had one reception for 29 yards. It happened during the two-minute practice at the end of the first half, when Burrow discovered Iosivas open down the middle of the pitch. He took a huge hit but was able to hold on at the Panthers 21-yard line. Cincinnati converted the effort into a touchdown and scored again on the first play of the second half, taking a 28-14 lead.
“Those are the catches that have to be made in those situations,” Iosivas pointed out. “He also played a good ball. And I was able to catch it, not with my body, but by corralling it in. Like spinning with my hands. I simply kind of herded it in. I knew I’d have to take a shot there.
“In some coverages, you can anticipate where the defender will be if you have the ball. So that was a cover two look, and I was right in the middle, so I knew the nearest safety was on my right. I sort of assumed if I was hit, to be hit there.”
The following week, Iosivas had another single reception, this time for 39 yards. That catch resulted in a touchdown, extending the Bengals’ advantage to 10 points midway through the third quarter.
That reception was also the longest of his professional career, which began when Cincinnati selected him in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Iosivas took a go route down the left side, sprinting past the CB and the safety. Burrow applied pressure up the center and lofted the ball high into the path of Iosivas, who had to slow down to make the catch.
Burrow and the Bengals have learned to trust Iosivas as a receiver in difficult situations, but they have also come to rely on him and the entire receiving room to block downfield. It is something Iosivas and the entire room are proud of.
“I’ll be in there because I’m a terrific route runner and pass catcher, but I’ve also started to take care in my blocking, and I thought I did a great job blocking last game. You never know if I’m in there running or passing. I think that also helps.”
One thing is certain: if Iosivas is in the lineup, you can count on him to do his job.
“I know a lot of the offense, and so they can throw me in wherever they need me,” Iosivas told me. “I have the starting role locked in and I can run for days, so if someone’s tired, I’m usually the guy who stays in.”
And this is fantastic news for the offensive. Now, if only the defense could figure out how to get out of its own way.
