The Fall of the Bengals?
The Bengals this year have been nothing short of embarrassing. From blown coverage to missed kicks, the entire Bengals team has been lackluster all year. The only semi-consistent part of our team has been our offense, and even certain parts of that have been awful. Our head coaching has been historically bad, and we simply just can’t seem to get our team rolling.
The absolute worst part of our team this year has undoubtedly been our abysmal defense. Our defense on average gives up 28.3 points per game. That is the second highest in the league, sitting only 1.5 points per game behind the 3-10 Panthers at 29.8 points per game. They have the second least sacks this season with 21, which becomes worse when you realize that Trey Hendrickson leads the league in sacks with 11.5. They allow a 45.8% 3rd down conversion rate, which is the 3rd worst in the league this year, while also allowing a 72.2% conversion rate in the red zone, which is the worst percentage rate since 2000. Time and again this year, the Bengals’ defense has failed to back up our offense, and they have been the sole reason that we sit at 4-8.
The Bengals offense has been something to behold this year, and I mean that in a bad way. We have the best QB and the best WR in the league this year and still somehow manage to blow it every single game. The Bengals will march down the field, get to the 10-yard line in dominant fashion, and as soon as it looks like we’re about to score, our o-line will get 3 holding penalties and allow 2 sacks and force us to take a 45-yard field goal. Which normally wouldn’t be the worst thing. At least we’re getting points, right? Wrong. In comes “Mighty Mac” to kick it wide left and make us walk away with nothing. Even still, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase have been putting up historic numbers and have been trying to carry this team. Joe has been dominant this season with about 3400 yards, 30 touchdowns, on 67.7% completion percentage with only 5 picks. He’s carried this team all year, putting up big game after big game with his favorite target, Ja’Marr Chase, who’s on triple crown watch with 1100 yards, 79 catches, and 13 touchdowns. But no matter how much they do, either our defense, our o-line, or our supposed “top 5 kicker” manages to come in and blow any opportunity that Joe and Ja’Marr gave us. This has happened in 6 of our 8 losses so far this year, with what seems like no end in sight. Something needs to change, and it needs to change fast if we want any chance of making the playoffs either this year or next year.
Marca.com
The Bengals this year have been one of the most shocking and most depressing teams to watch this season. Watching them be down big, make a huge comeback, but then ultimately fall short has been an awful sight to see. But the worst part of this season is the fact that we have what should be the MVP front runner in Joe Burrow and the OPOY front runner in Ja’Marr Chase, and we’re wasting both of their seasons by having a losing record. Both are putting up all-time historic seasons with Joe being on pace to have 40+ TDs with only 7 picks on 70% completion and Ja’Marr being on pace to win the triple crown, currently leading the league in catches, yards, and touchdowns. Seasons like these aren’t ones you see very often, so for the Bengals to be wasting them is just absolutely pitiful.
Something about this team needs to change. Whether it’s just a few small changes here and there or almost completely cleaning house, the team needs to do something. At the minimum, we need to fire 95% of the coaching staff, starting with Lou Anarumo and Zac Taylor. After that, we have to trade people like Evan McPherson and some of our linemen, both offensive and defensive. On top of all that, we need to hit with our draft picks, especially our first-rounder. We either need the edge from Penn State or the edge from Georgia, and after that, just some help around them. These next few weeks of the season and the following offseason are critical for the Bengals. We need to make these moves happen and make sure we keep what pieces we already have. If we’re able to do that, this team could 100% be a top 3 team in the league and be potential favorites to take home the Lombardi within the next few years.
