Bengals TE Mike Gesicki Credits teammate who predicted his explosion against the Raiders

CINCINNATI – Winning a game at Paycor Stadium for the first time in five attempts this year and a total of 301 days isn’t exactly a rarity for the lottery Cincinnati Bengalsbut that didn’t stop Mike Gesicki from suggesting that wide receiver Trenton Irwin might have the winning numbers for the next Mega Millions drawing.

Gesicki caught five passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns Sunday 41-24 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders.

And for him there was indeed satisfaction in scarcity.

No one saw that kind of game coming, except Irwin.

“He came up to me today at 11 a.m. and said, ‘Do you have a touchdown dance ready?’ said Gesicki, who responded that this was not the case.

“Are you going into the match without a plan to score?” Irwin asked. “Bro, you gotta be ready. You’re going to score today.’

Gesicki, who had not scored when he joined the Bengals in the offseason, caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Joe Burrow in the third quarter to give the Bengals a 31–10 lead.

Then he caught a 47-yarder in the fourth quarter to put the team ahead 38-17.

“Someone’s going to interview Trent and ask him what the lottery numbers are,” Gesicki said. “Because I haven’t scored in nine weeks, and today I got in twice.”

With no celebration planned, Gesicki did The Griddy after both scores, with teammate Ja’Marr Chase, who is known for the dance, following close behind the first and laughing at the tight end’s attempt.

“He should laugh; it wasn’t great,” Gesicki said.

It was the fourth multi-touchdown game of Gesicki’s career and first since Week 6, 2022.

It was his third race in the 100 meters and the first since week 6 of 2021.

He accomplished both feats in the same play when the Raiders botched an assignment and Burrow made the easy throw for the 47-yard touchdown.

“I told everyone I feel like I’m living well,” Gesicki said. “My wife probably could have scored on that play.

“A lot of credit goes to Ja’Marr for the attention he gets,” Gesicki said. “It was just a fake screen, pump the screen to Ja’Marr and Joe put it there. And like I said, Halle could have scored on that. I am grateful.”

In the last four games, Gesicki has just four catches for 24 yards.

“Gesicki is a guy we can lean on,” head coach Zac Taylor said. “I know there was a lull in the season where he didn’t get many goals, but that’s how this offense goes sometimes. Joe (Burrow) does a great job of spreading it to wherever the concept calls for and whatever the defense gives you, and Mike has done a great job of capitalizing on his opportunities.”

Gesicki is only the third tight end in franchise history with at least two touchdowns and at least 100 receiving yards in a game.

The first to do so was Bob Trumpy, who had 159 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-31 tie against the Oilers in 1969.

The only other person to do it was Tyler Eifert, who had 104 yards and two touchdowns in the 2015 season opener, which was also against the Raiders.

Coincidentally, Eifert was at the stadium on Sunday as honorary ruler of the jungle, leading the crowd in a pre-game “Who Dey” chant.

And Eifert was sitting in the tunnel watching the players as they ran into the locker room when he shouted at Gesicki, who came over to greet him.

“You have to come to every game,” Gesicki told Eifert.

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