CINCINNATI (AP)Joe Mixon was frustrated. Accustomed to breaking off big run after big run for Oklahoma Joe Mixon Jersey , the rookie running back couldn’t even get back to the line of scrimmage with the Bengals. Big plays? Just getting a couple of yards was the best he could do. Finally, he accepted that sometimes that’s the way it goes in the NFL, and things started to change. Mixon ran for a career-high 114 yards Sunday during a 30-16 victory over the winless Cleveland Browns, his first big game in the pros. The Bengals (5-6) hadn’t been able to run the ball at all until Sunday, managing a total of 100 yards in only one game previously. The breakthrough came after Mixon accepted that a 3-yard run in the NFL isn’t a failure, and he ought to just embrace it instead of trying to make something out of nothing. ”It’s very physical here every play, and that’s the difference,” Mixon said. ”Coming from Oklahoma, they have a great line, you have those holes and you’ve got to just go. Here everybody is bigger, stronger, faster, smarter. You’ve got to keep trusting and believing. ”Keep getting the 2-yard run, the 3-yard run, and eventually something will break.” The Bengals deemed Mixon worth the criticism when they drafted him. Mixon punched a woman in the face at Oklahoma. After other teams passed on him Clark Harris Jersey , the Bengals decided to take him the second time around. ”I love it here,” Mixon said. ”I appreciate them for picking me up.” The Bengals loved his versatility as a power runner who can catch passes and make defenders miss. Mixon started the season sharing the role with incumbent Jeremy Hill, who became a close friend. When Hill suffered an ankle injury and had surgery, Mixon became the primary back. Even so, the running game had nowhere to go . A struggling offensive line created few holes. Mixon kept trying to force a big play when it wasn’t there. A low point came during a win in Denver two weeks ago when Cincinnati rushed for a total of 49 yards. After that game, Cincinnati’s running game ranked the worst in franchise history and last in the league by far, averaging 3 yards per carry. Once the Bengals got ahead of the Browns on Sunday, they decided to finish it off by running the ball. They used extra blockers and opened holes for Mixon. On a clinching 75-yard drive, Mixon had runs of 15 and 14 yards before scoring on an 11-yard run . ”Not only were we in position where we had to run it, but we did a nice job running it,” offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said. ”It has you coming off the field with a good feeling. I like how Joe finished his runs. He seemed to get some rhythm going there and was a physical force. And a couple of those holes were really nice to have in an NFL game. ”So it leaves you with a good taste in your mouth, for a few hours.” PENALTY, OR NO PENALTY: Coach Marvin Lewis took exception to a first-quarter penalty on linebacker Vontaze Burfict for his hit on a Browns receiver who was deemed defenseless. He supported a later call on Browns safety Jabrill Peppers for a high hit on receiver Josh Malone – who also was deemed defenseless – during the Bengals’ clinching touchdown drive. ”It used to be a good football play,” Lewis said of Peppers’ hit. ”It’s no longer a good football play.” STEELERS AGAIN: The Bengals host the Steelers (9-2) next Monday night, a game they need to win to stay in contention for a playoff spot. When they played in Pittsburgh on Oct. 1 Josh Malone Jersey , they were tied 14-14 midway through the second quarter and then unraveled. The Bengals managed only one first down and 19 total yards in the second half. Mixon didn’t get a run in the second half, and questioned the play calling afterward. — This week, a slate of great guests bring their Bengals insights as we tee up the NFL Draft. Mickey Mentzer, Cody Tewmey, New Stripe City’s Ace Boogie and James Rapien of 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland join us as we talk about all of the possibilities with Cincinnati and their 11 picks this year."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections #BITESIZEFilm RoomRoster Transactions and ContractsOrange & Black InsiderSalary Cap And CBAThe Orange & Black InsiderNFL DraftAnalysisThe Orange and Black Insider Bengals podcast: Rounding upNew,7commentsThis week, a slate of great guests bring their Bengals insights as we tee up the NFL Draft. Mickey Mentzer, Cody Tewmey, New Stripe City’s Ace Boogie and James Rapien of 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland join us as we talk about all of the possibilities with Cincinnati and their 11 picks this year.EDTShareTweetShareShareThe Orange and Black Insider Bengals podcast: Rounding upWhen it comes to the NFL Draft, we at The Orange and Black Insider go big, or go home. On this week’s episode, we brought on a handful of fan-favorite guests to get you set for the huge weekend ahead. Bengals multimedia favorites Mickey Mentzer and Cody Tewmey, as well as Ace Boogie of the outstanding New Stripe City podcast and the ever-popular James Rapien of 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland all joined us on this week’s OBI. Rapien kicked off the show with a bang, as we take a pulse of what’s happening in the city of Cleveland because of the hype surrounding the Browns. Interestingly enough, Rapien sees some similarities between the 2019 Browns and the 2005 Bengals. He also has an ideal Cincinnati draft scenario that almost every fan can get behind. For those who are unaware Alex Erickson Jersey , New Stripe City features a cool metric that Ace Boogie calls “prime”. He explained the process in which certain players fit the molds, be it positionally and/or physically, that the Bengals often prefer. There are some really interesting players who top his list.We asked Tewmey about “the usual suspects” being talked about with the Bengals and their No. 11 pick. Tewmey also touched on what he thinks about possible surprises with the club and their potential maneuvering this weekend. Mentzer talked about to us about the transition the Bengals have witnessed over the past four months, and how there are reasons for optimism amidst so much change. He also had some great insight into some Buckeyes prospects—particularly those who could be good fits in stripes. It was both incredibly informative and a lot of fun catching up with this crew. Also on this week’s episode:Is Will Grier being overlooked as one of the top quarterbacks in this class?Could the Bengals trade back in the first round and use the capital to trade for Josh Rosen?Which 2019 prospects top Ace Boogie’s “prime” metric system?What about Darron Lee as a potential trade target during the weekend?Plus, we talk about a special Bengals guest we’ll have joining us in a future episode!Our thanks to all of the live listeners and to the subscribers to our channels. Join us for every live episode and keep it here at Cincy Jungle during draft weekend for all the news, opinions and analysis on the Bengals’ draft haul!If you’re unable to join us live for here at Cincy Jungle or YouTube every episode, all Orange and Black Insider content is available here on CJ, the Stitcher, Spotify and Google Play Music apps, our YouTube channel, as well as through Megaphone and, as always, on iTunes! You can tweet us @BengalsOBI or get in touch with us via email at theobinsider@gmail.com. Thanks for listening and go subscribe to our channels!