Bengal coins nickname for Tyler Eifert: Matchup monster
His three touchdown receptions during the Cincinnati Bengals’ 31-10 win over the Cleveland Browns sent him to the top of the leaderboard for receiving scores and helped keep his team unbeaten through eight games in 2015.
Naturally, it's clear that Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert needs a nickname.
Running back Jeremy Hill was more than happy to provide one.
According to Coley Harvey of ESPN, Hill dubbed Eifert -- who now leads the NFL in touchdown catches with nine -- the "matchup monster."
“You put a linebacker in there on him, either they’re too small or they’re too slow,” Hill said. “You put a corner in there and they’re obviously too small, too. So, he’s just a matchup problem.”
Eifert kicked off the scoring on Thursday night with a nine-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. He put the Bengals up 14-3 with a two-yard score in the second quarter, and then slammed the door shut on the visiting Browns with a 19-yard touchdown midway through the fourth.
The third-year tight end finished with five catches for 53 yards and the three scores. Through eight games, Eifert now has 37 receptions for 434 yards. He’s on pace for less than 900 receiving yards, but if he keeps scoring touchdowns -- he’s on track for 18 in 2015 -- nothing else will matter.
Half of quarterback Andy Dalton’s 18 touchdowns this season have gone to Eifert, Cincinnati’s first-round pick in 2013. After starting his career with two scores in two seasons, Eifert has found the end zone more than any player in the NFL this season.
Thursday night was already his third multi-score game in 2015. He caught two touchdowns in Cincinnati’s season-opening win in Oakland and had two more scores during the Bengals’ come-from-behind win over the Seahawks. Only the Baltimore Ravens -- who held him to zero catches in Week 3 -- have been able to figure out Eifert this season.
Finally healthy and surrounded by weapons in the Bengals offense, Eifert is undoubtedly one of 2015’s biggest breakout stars. He even has a new nickname, although “matchup monster” seems unlikely to stick.
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