Bengals-Talk

All the latest news and talk about the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals Have Put The League On Notice

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The Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) defeated the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday 41-17 in a blowout road win to take 1st place in the AFC North and secure the current #1 seed in the AFC. Little to nobody had picked the Bengals to beat the Ravens, but many still knew its importance for Cincinnati to show that they can hang with the top teams in the division and the conference, and the Bengals did more than that.

They proved they are one of the best teams in the conference and the league this season. Joe Burrow threw for 416 yards and three touchdowns. He made throw after throw. Ja’Marr Chase continued his historic rookie campaign, hauling in over 200 receiving yards and added another long touchdown that went for 82 yards in the third quarter. Chase now has 754 receiving yards on the season, which is currently 2nd in the entire NFL behind only Cooper Kupp.

One thing the team has that they haven’t had in the past is consistent play on both sides of the ball. Yes, the offense is firing on all cylinders led by Burrow, Chase, Higgins, Boyd, Mixon, Uzomah, and an offensive line that is exceeding expectations.

But the defense has been one of the best in the NFL this year, specifically the defensive line and the front seven. Against Baltimore, they sacked Lamar Jackson five times which is the most in Jackson’s career. The high spending this off-season is paying off. The additions of Trey Hendrickson, Larry Ogunjobi, D.J. Reader, and players like Vonn Bell and Mike Hilton have added a great deal of success to Lou Anarumo’s defense. Logan Wilson has progressed in year two into one of the best linebackers in football. Chidobe Awuzie has come in and been exactly what the Bengals needed in a CB1 for the secondary that Jessie Bates leads.

There’s a lot of football left, and you don’t want to get ahead of yourself, which Zac Taylor stressed. Just take it week by week and try and beat the opponent in front of you. But the Bengals proved a lot of people wrong this Sunday. They showed the media and the rest of the NFL that this team has arrived, and they aren’t going anywhere. They’re not coming for a wild card spot. They are out to gun for the division and the conference.

The next few weeks will show a lot more about what this team’s about, especially after their bye week in Week 10. The Bengals play the Jets this week and then the Browns the following week. Cincinnati has a great chance to put themselves in the driver’s seat going into their bye week if they can handle their business this week and get another division win against Cleveland. The Cincinnati Bengals are exactly who Bengals nation thought they were and who the media didn’t.

How good can this Cincinnati Bengals team be?

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The Cincinnati Bengals are currently 3-2, 1-0 in division play and sit as the #5 seed in the AFC through five regular-season games. As we head into Week 6 against the Detroit Lions, I think it is essential to set some expectations of the capability of this team finally.

Bringing the Green Bay Packers into overtime and having multiple opportunities to win speaks volumes to the ability of this squad. Still, I took away that was more appealing because when the Bengals trailed and the momentum wasn’t on their side, they always found a way to stay in the game, remain competitive and make plays to keep it close. First, the Bengals trailed 16-7 and connected on a 70-yard touchdown, then they trailed 22-14 in the 4th quarter and responded with an 8 point drive to tie it. In the past, most Bengals’ teams would have folded and let the game get out of hand, this team doesn’t do that.

The same thing happened on Thursday night two weeks ago against Jacksonville after trailing 14-0 at the half. That shows the culture has changed in the Queen City; they are playing with pride, they are playing team-driven football, which could be a key reason this team could still be hanging around towards the end of the season.

The defense has drastically improved, led by 2nd-year linebacker Logan Wilson who is 2nd in the NFL in interceptions and ranks in the top ten in tackles. The front seven has been elite in stopping the run this season, with Larry Ogunjobi and D.J. Reader setting the tone in the middle and Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard around the edge. The Bengals recently acquired cornerback Tre Flowers off waivers from the Seahawks, adding another depth piece to the cornerback room, which is currently beaten up. I’d expect him to split snaps with Eli Apple as the cornerback number two while Chidobe Awuzie continues to take the reigns as the number one corner.

If the offense can reach its full potential, I can see this team competing for a playoff spot at the end of the season. Currently, the Bengals have only scored 7 points in the first quarter through five games, so consistently starting slow is a trend they need to change. You could say it’s a lack of aggression in the play calling from the start. Zac Taylor will play a vital role in the Bengals reaching their peak.

And the obvious one. The consistency of the offensive line throughout the rest of the season will more than likely be the biggest and most important piece to the puzzle. They need to keep Joe Burrow upright and give him time in the pocket to throw the football because when he gets those opportunities, he has had plenty of success finding his receivers and making the right decisions that move the offense down the field. Burrow and former LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase have put that on display as Chase leads all rookie receivers in touchdowns and yards. He is the only rookie to catch 5 touchdowns this early in his rookie season since Randy Moss and that is excellent company to sit with.

The game Sunday against Detroit will prove a lot because if this Bengals team is as legit as some claim, they should handle their business against an 0-5 Lions team. Detroit is no pushover and doesn’t play like an 0-5 team, but this is a game Cincinnati needs to win. They head into Baltimore next week with a huge division matchup against the Ravens, and in three weeks, they have a division matchup with the Browns. Every win is essential when you play in the AFC North, and Burrow and company will need to show that starting this week. This is the most talented team since the 2015 squad, which went 12-4. There’s a lot of football left, but seeing how consistent this team stays will speak volumes about what they can do moving forward.

Logan Wilson’s Impact In Year Two

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Linebacker Logan Wilson has been nothing short of impressive so far in his second year after being drafted in the 3rd round out of Wyoming in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

Wilson has been given the keys to the defense, which speaks volumes about how much he has grown in just one season. He is the QB of the defense. He wears the helmet piece, which communicates with the coaches to call the plays and set up schemes and disguises for the defense, which has been highly successful so far through four games.

More than that, though, letā€™s look at Logan Wilsonā€™s performance this season. Not only does he lead the entire NFL in interceptions currently. He is also 2nd in tackles in the AFC. Wilson has been putting up numbers we havenā€™t seen from a Bengals defensive player since Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap in their prime, and even then, Wilson could be on track to surpass those years.

Letā€™s break down what Logan Wilson has done in each of his first four games this season, so you have a better understanding of why heā€™s being raved about so much yet still flying under the radar.

Week 1 vs Vikings: 7 tackles, 4 Solo, 1 QB Hit.

Week 2 @ Bears: 9 tackles, 2 Solo, 1 INT

Week 3 @ Steelers: 14 tackles, 6 Solo, 2 INTā€™s

Week 4 vs Jaguars: 10 tackles, 4 Solo, 1 sack

Total: 40 tackles, 16 Solo, 3 INT, 1 sack, 1 QB hit through four regular-season games.

Wilson is flying under the radar, he was a third-round pick from Wyoming, which doesnā€™t usually create much conversation. He plays for the Bengals, who are not yet on the map as a popular media coverage team regardless of their 3-1 start.

If Wilson keeps playing like this and setting the tone for this Cincinnati defense, he will only see his name come up more and more. But when trying to look for early season sleepers for Defensive Player of the Year, make sure you include Logan Wilson.

5 Key Players For The Bengals vs. Jacksonville

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5. Joe Mixon 

This will be a game where I anticipate that Mixon sees a heavy amount of carries and touches against a Jaguars’ front seven that has been struggling so far this season in stopping the run. Expect the Bengals to set the tone early by giving Joe the ball around the edges and through the gaps upfront. 

The Jaguars allowed well over 100 rushing yards against the Texans in Week 1 and have allowed right near 100 yards in each of the last two weeks. It is safe to say, that their run defense is still more competent than their pass defense which could be a reason to attack them more through the air. But Mixon will see his fair share of touches throughout this game.

Joe Mixon is currently 2nd among all running backs in the NFL in rushing yards behind only Derrick Henry. The Bengals will likely increase rookie Chris Evans touches with Higgins out as they have slowly done over the last few games, but I still see Mixon touching the ball 25-30 times on the ground alone.

4. Trey Hendrickson

The Bengals front seven has been one of the best in the entire league so far through three weeks, and Hendrickson has been one of the leading catalysts of that.

He has done a great job securing the edge and goes against Jacksonvilleā€™s struggling offensive line. Expect Hendrickson to have opportunities to get into the backfield and make an impact.

Hendrickson had 13.5 sacks last season, and so far this year, he already has 2.5. Expect the Jags to have a scheme to protecting Lawerence in this one to limit the times he gets pressured and give him more time in the pocket, but if anyone on the defensive line is going to make an impact around that, Hendrickson would be a good bet.

3. Trae Waynes  

Trevor Lawerence currently leads the league in interceptions with seven, and the Jaguars have thrown 51 times in Week 1 and then 30+ times in Week 2 and 3, so don’t expect them to let up too much throwing through the air. Waynes making his debut with the Cincinnati Bengals will be a crucial cornerback for the secondary, especially with injuries to Bates and Philips, even if they do play.

Wayne’s will be key to guarding their best receiver, which will probably be D.J. Chark or Marvin Jones Jr, who both get targeted a lot by Lawerence. Takeaways will be significant in this game, and against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati had two and almost had a 3rd after Bell forced a fumble, but the defense and offense fed off of those turnovers, resulting in a 24-10 win and a stout performance on both sides of the ball.

Creating turnovers sets the tone, and I think this is a game where it being Waynes’ first start, he will see a lot of balls thrown in his direction, which will give him opportunities to make plays for the defense.

2. Ja’Marr Chase

With Tee Higgins out in this game, it’s an opportunity for Tyler Boyd and Ja’Marr Chase to see increased targets and have more of a chance to have big games. Chase hauled in 2 touchdowns against the Steelers and took the top off the defense just like he did against Minneosta and Chicago. Chase was the offensive rookie of the month for September and could be in line for his 2nd rookie of the week award already.

Considering the Jaguars’ secondary is worse than the Steelers, Chase shouldn’t have many struggles finding his spots. He is expected to be covered by Shaquill Griffin which may be a tough task because Griffin is a highly talented corner, but it’s nothing Chase hasn’t seen before after being covered by Joe Haden and at times Minkah Fitzpatrick last week and then Patrick Peterson and Jaylon Johnson in Week’s one and two.

Chase is breaking rookie records each week and is tied for 2nd currently in touchdown receptions and has a chance to surpass Cooper Kupp for 1st on Thursday night if he can find the end zone twice. I’d expect Burrow to look his way a bunch in this game and the same with Tyler Boyd. 

1. Brandon Wilson 

Brandon Wilson may have the most demanding task to fill all night. With Jessie Bates being ruled out, Wilson is the expected starter to step into his safety role alongside Vonn Bell. Trying to make up Bates’s impact on the Bengals is like asking Wilson just to flat out be the best player on that side of the ball.

That is not expected, but if Wilson can keep the coverage in front of him, make open-field tackles, play smart and clean football and know his assignments, he should be just fine back there playing a lot of snaps. Wilson has had success before in the secondary for the Bengals, and I’m not opposed to thinking he can do it again.

It will be interesting to see if the Bengals still have him return kickoffs in this game and the same goes for Darius Phillips on punt returns considering Phillips will more than likely have an expanded role on the defense this Thursday as well with Chidobe Awuzie doubtful.

Seeing how the Jaguars decide to attack the defense after knowing Bates and Awuzie won’t be on the field. The pass rush for Cincinnati is going to have to lead the way in this one. 

3 Ways The Bengals Can Have Success vs Pittsburgh

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3. Take advantage of the Steelers’ depleted defensive front.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the best overall defenses in the entire NFL, but going into Sunday, many of those pieces won’t be on the field. Alex Highsmith, Carl Davis, Stephon Tuitt, and T.J. Watt will all be inactive against the Bengals.

So what can Cincinnati do to exploit those holes? First, get Joe Mixon the ball in between the tackles and be aggressive throwing the ball down the field. As long as the offensive line can hold up and stay stout throughout the game, Joe Burrow should have success finding his receivers down the field.

Keeping the Steelers off-balance and staying unpredictable will be vital. If Pittsburgh can’t determine if we are giving the ball to Mixon or airing it out, it will open more great looks for our offense through the run and the pass.

2. Get Tyler Boyd involved.

Getting Tyler Boyd involved in this one will be very important, especially if Tee Higgins doesn’t play. As of now, Higgins is labeled as doubtful, and we should find out more pre-game. Nonetheless, if he plays or doesn’t, he will be limited and playing through an injury that kept him out multiple days this week in practice.

The Higgins injury will likely make Boyd’s targets increase in this matchup. So far this season, he has yet to find his standard groove; although he did lead the team in receptions last week, it was only 7 receptions for 73 yards. But with a reunion game in Pittsburgh where he played college ball, expect to see a motivated and aggressive version of himself. In addition, Ja’Marr Chase will probably draw the number one corner for Pittsburgh so that Boyd may see a more favorable matchup.

Expect the Bengals not to waste any time attacking the secondary trying to catch the Steelers off guard. Getting Boyd a few catches early on in the game wouldn’t be the worst approach either.

  1. Win in the trenches

This could be the most important aspect for a Bengals win tomorrow on both sides of the ball. Winning the game inside and in the trenches could be the deciding factor of who steals this one. Being a division game with two rival teams, there will be a lot of energy and challenging, hard-hitting plays. Winning the battles up front will lead to success in the run game and the passing game and disrupt the Steelers’ offense.

Najee Harris will be key to stop for the defensive line. Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard will have to secure the edge and not let Harris get to that second level because his speed and agility are nothing to joke about. And with recent rumors of Ben Roethlisberger playing with a hurt pec, they will probably give the ball to Harris plenty. 

Also, taking advantage of Ben being limited should be a key for the defense. Getting after him and trying to force sacks and push them behind the chains will help.

At the end of the day, the offensive line will be the biggest question. Jackson Carman is expected to make his NFL debut tomorrow at right guard, and the Steelers have a depleted front seven, but Devin Bush and Melvin Ingram will still be able to create issues with their ability to blitz and react to the ball. So keying in on those guys, especially Ingram, will be significant for the offensive lines approach in this one.