The Cincinnati Bengals are 8-8 through week 17, and their season has been bumpy. However, the Bengals still have a slim chance of making the playoffs.
The season looked bleak, as the Cincinnati Bengals came into week 14 with a 4-8 record. One reason was Cincinnati’s struggle to close out games for wins this season. During the 2024 season, Cincinnati has lost seven of its eight games by one possession. Notable one-possession games are, a 25-26 loss to the Kanas City Cheifs, a 27-34 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a 38-44 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and two losses to the Baltimore Ravens (38-41, and 34-35). In retrospect, the Bengals could have been 11-1.
With their narrow overtime win over the Denver Broncos on Dec. 28, the Bengals have climbed to a .500 record.
Quarterback Joe Burrow arguably has had the best season of his career and is the MVP for the Bengals. He leads the NFL in passing yards with 4,229, and has 39 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. His top target, Ja’Marr Chase, leads the NFL in receiving yards with 1,510, and has 16 touchdowns. The offense has played well this season, putting up the points needed to compete against some of the best teams in the NFL, but have dropped the ball (literally) during big-time moments. Currently, the Bengals rank 10th among all offenses, averaging 28 points and 360 yards per game.
On the other side of the ball, the defense has struggled all season, ranking 27th in the NFL. They are allowing 26 points and 360 yards per game. The only bright spot on defense is pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson, whose 13.5 sacks lead the league. He also has two forced fumbles.
The differences in offense and defense show the discombobulation between this team. Not to mention that kicker Evan McPherson has struggled this year, missing several key kicks. As of Wednesday, he was on the IR with a groin injury.
McPherson doesn’t get all the blame this year, as the offense has had questionable play calls when games have gotten down to the nitty-gritty. For example, in the Nov.8 game against the Ravens, it was a controversial call to go for two points with 34 seconds left instead of kicking the field goal to tie the game. With the defense struggling during the fourth quarter in stopping quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Bengals had no faith in its defense to make one last stop with a tied game.
Head Coach, play-caller Zac Taylor, and Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo have both faced scrutiny throughout the season. It will be interesting to see what changes or not-so-changes occur during the upcoming offseason.
The Bengals’ playoff hopes are slim, with an 8-8 record. It all starts with a Steelers victory. The Bengals need the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins to lose or tie one of their final two games. Then the Broncos need to lose both of their final games, which half of that is complete with the Bengals’ victory over them today. Even if Cincinnati does sneak into the playoffs, their defense is worrisome. They will be playing top-caliber teams, and the defense must show up. Even if they can go touchdown for touchdown with the the best, they need their defense to make stops.
They can’t put all the weight on Burrow and the offense. As the saying goes, defense wins championships.
Barring an improbable Super Bowl run, significant changes are needed to be a championship-caliber team again. Anything is possible, though.
End of Bengals Rant.
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