Performances like that in Sunday’s 41-10 blowout victory over Pittsburgh were why the Bengals signed Hilton and other key defensive players the past two offseasons.
On Pittsburgh’s first possession, cornerback Eli Apple tallied his second interception in as many weeks and came 5 yards away from returning the pick for a touchdown.
When Apple signed with Cincinnati this year, he was viewed as a depth addition behind Trae Waynes, the cornerback the Bengals signed to a three-year, $42 million deal during 2020 free agency.
Before Sunday, Hilton said he had never returned an interception for a score at any level of football.
The Bengals’ defensive performance was also another example of Cincinnati’s ability to respond to a poor stretch of play this season.
But in last week’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders that ended the short losing streak, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s unit allowed just 278 total yards.
Throughout the season, the Bengals’ defense has needed to make big stops and plays while the offense tried to find its collective footing.