Photo: Bengals media assets
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon is embraced after scoring five touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers at Paycor Stadium on Nov. 6, 2022.
Well somebody had an incredible day.
During the Cincinnati Bengals' 42-21 win over the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 6, running back Joe Mixon pulled in five touchdowns.
Five.
Five touchdowns.
A number that could win a game on its own.
Five.
Have we mentioned five?
Mixon's five touchdowns at Paycor Stadium set a new Bengals record for the most in a single game. Previously, three Bengals players were tied with four TDs each: Marvin Jones (2013), Corey Dillon (1997) and Larry Kinnebrew (1984), according to Statmuse. Four of Mixon's scores were rushing touchdowns, which shares the franchise's top slot with Dillon's efforts in 1997.
Four of Mixon's touchdowns came within the first half of the game, allowing him to become the first Bengals player to do so. He's just the fifth Bengal to earn 5,000 career yards.
Mixon also is now the 17th player in NFL history to ever score at least five non-passing touchdowns. He's in a tie on the NFL's overall list for fourth-place for the most touchdowns in a single game.
As Mixon repeatedly made it to the endzone and found his groove, he began counting off each touchdown on his hand in celebration, often getting other players to join in the fun. Quarterback Joe Burrow, who had his own short touchdown in the day's overall running game, grabbed Mixon to mime a "photo" moment.
"That's just how we've been as a team. That stuff was like how he had it last year with the chemistry and how off the fly, we can get in things like that, just so quickly with everyone on the same page," Mixon told reporters after the game. "That's just something you can't teach. That's just something in you. To see Joe come out there and do something like that, it almost shocked me."Not your average Joes 😎 pic.twitter.com/Mu2KnNTy3R
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 6, 2022
Sunday was a stunning turnaround for Mixon, who hadn't performed to expectations thus far in the season. Entering Sunday's game, the running back had only been averaging three yards per carry and was performing 54 yards below expectation, according to stats provided by ESPN. After the game, ESPN noted, Mixon was at 74 yards over forecast.
"We're all professionals. We know what we have to do. Everybody has a job and we're all on the same page," Mixon said. "Most important is coming out with a victory and we did that today. The fact we stayed true to the game, we'll always do that. I'm living in the moment."
Fans can fill their bellies on Nov. 7, thanks to Sunday's excitement. As the regional chili chain has done in the past, Gold Star is giving fans one free regular 3-, 4- or 5-Way with the purchase of another one of equal or greater value the day after the Bengals win. The Who Dey Way promotion is good all season long no matter if the win occurs on home turf or elsewhere. The promo is available at all Gold Star locations for drive-in, carry-out, dine-in and online; mention the Who Dey Way special when ordering.
The Bengals have a bye for Week 10 and then will head to Pittsburgh to battle the Steelers on Nov. 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m., and NBC will broadcast the game.
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