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Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert face off for the first time in the NFL

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The Cincinnati Bengals host the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday in a critical AFC matchup with many playoff implications riding on the outcome.

This will be the first time former first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft takes on Justin Herbert, who was the 6th pick in that same draft. Last season, When Joe Burrow made his NFL debut in Week 1, it was against the Chargers although, Tyrod Taylor was the starter. Not Herbert yet.

This Sunday will be their first head-to-head matchup in the NFL, and with both teams playing meaningful football in the first week of December, this has the chance to be the biggest game of each team’s season up to this point.

Herbert and Burrow have set themselves apart from all the other quarterbacks. They were each selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and not only have they had remarkably consistent and astounding play, but they have turned around two franchises who each were bottom ten teams in a year and a half and have led each team into playoff contention with a few more victories this season.

In 11 games this season, Burrow has 22 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 2,835 passing yards, 69.3 competition percentage, and 76.8 quarterback rating. 

Herbert has 24 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 3,230 passing yards, a 66.0 competition percentage, and a 65.8 quarterback rating.

Regardless, if there is a rivalry between these two, they will always be compared to each other, coming out of the same class. With their early success, it is easy to pick these two out of a hat and judge them against each other even though they are both off to incredible starts to their careers.

If the Bengals lose, they could switch places with the Chargers and fall to the 7th seed while Los Angeles moves into the 5th seed. However, if the Bengals can escape with a victory, they could create a sizable lead for the top wild-card spot or sit atop the AFC North if the Ravens lose to the Steelers.

With a Chargers loss, they would fall to 6-6 and could potentially fall out of the top seven if the Denver Broncos can get a Sunday night win over the Chiefs. The fact of the matter is that the importance of who wins is vital.

For each of these young quarterbacks to be playing in important games this late in the season is eye-opening considering where these teams were last season and considering Burrow’s coming off a severe knee injury. But here we are and this has the potential to be an extremely competitive game with a lot of people tuning in.

3 ways the Bengals can have success vs. Chicago

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3. Apply a clean, multidimensional pass rush against Andy Dalton and the Bears.

What I mean by this is that the Bengals are very familiar with Andy Dalton’s tendencies as a QB as he was in Cincinnati for nine seasons. So the Bengals need to use that as a strength in how they attack gaps when blitzing. Dalton struggles when pressure is applied, so giving the Bears offensive line different looks and rushing the passer from different angles and aspects will be vital in the defense’s success.

If Cincinnati lets Dalton sit in the pocket and throw the ball, he will be successful more than not. He is not a bad QB by any means, which means the defense needs to be as aggressive as they were with Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook as they are with Andy Dalton and David Montgomery. If Montgomery gets going early and finds his rhythm, this game will be close and will play into the 4th quarter a lot like the Minnesota game. But if we can limit chunk plays on the ground, push the Bears behind the chains and force Dalton to make rugged, uncomfortable passes, then Cincinnati should have a lot of success as a unit.

Also, being ready for Justin Fields when he shows up is essential because he will play at times, and being caught off guard as a defense will let the rookie have his way. Fields is very talented, not only through the air but using his feet as well. Keeping a spy on him when he plays may be the way to limit anything he may try to do scrambling. He doesn’t have Lamar Jackson’s speed or agility, but he is knowledgeable and knows how to hit holes, find gaps and recognize when a defense isn’t picking up on his signals.

2. Get the ball out quickly

This one will be crucial to the Bengals success Sunday. The Bears’ most significant strength is their front seven and their ability to rush the passer from all sorts of schemes and disguises. Khalil Mack is the leader of the defense, and he is also one of the best defensive players in the entire league, so knowing where he is at all times will be essential for the offensive line and the running backs who are blocking in the backfield.

Joe Burrow was sacked 5 times last week. The good news is that of those 5 sacks, 4 of them were against either Trey Hopkins the center, Drew Sample the tight end, and the running back. Jonah Williams and Riley Reiff were one of only three tackle tandems that didn’t allow a single sack, which is something you want to hear as a Bengals fan. But what does this mean?

First off, Trey Hopkins will need to be better, but it also was his first game back coming off a torn ACL like Burrow, so there will be bumps in the road as he progresses. But, the help side blocking will need to improve. Often Giovani Bernard was the key guy in this role. He was great laying down a block once rushers got to the second level with their blitz, but not having him anymore means other guys need to step up. Drew Sample is one of those guys considering the main reason the team drafted him was because of his blocking abilities.

Regardless, the Bengals will need to be stout in both pass blocking and run blocking for them to have the success they want to have as an offense, and an early-season test against the Chicago Bears front will be the perfect match for that challenge.

  1. Get Tyler Boyd involved and be agressive in the passing game.

The Chicago Bears’ biggest weakness is their secondary. They ranked as the 4th worst secondary in the league last week against the LA Rams, whose tandem consists of Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Van Jefferson. But, of course, you could easily make the case that the Bengals are even more dynamic than the Rams, so if they had success, the Bengals don’t have much of an excuse not to exploit the struggling cornerbacks and safties.

Jaylon Johnson is probably one of the more talented corners on the team, and his assignment will more than likely be on Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins, which gives Tyler Boyd a favorable matchup as he is one of the best slot corners in the league. Boyd had a slow week in Week 1, only hauling in 3 catches for 32 yards, so this would be a prime matchup for him to have his first breakout game of the season.

Higgins and Chase both could have success as well. A lot will be determined on how much time the offensive line gives Joe Burrow because passes down the field would be the ideal way to beat this secondary. Keeping the linebackers involved in short passes will be a way for the Bears to hang around in this one because of their ability to tackle in the open field and attack the football off the snap and the throw. Keeping them on their toes by mixing in Joe Mixon will be necessary, and if Mixon can get going in this game, that could change the approach for the offense. Being able to complete longer passes down the field of at least 15-20 yards will be vital. I expect Tyler Boyd to lead the team in receptions in this game.

Game predictions:

(Before Week 1 – Bengals: 17 – Bears: 14)

Now – Bengals: 28 – Bears: 17

Weekly Offensive MVP: Tyler Boyd

Weekly Defensive MVP: Trey Hendrickson

3 Things To Look For In The Bengals Final Preseason Game

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  1. Who does Zac Taylor start for the first unit offensive line?

This will be something significant to look out for in this game. Especially now that Joe Burrow has been announced active. He is on a snap count, but regardless of the unit Taylor puts out, there will most likely be the same line we see in Week 1 against the Vikings. It just wouldn’t make sense that they would throw an offensive line out there in front of Joe Burrow if it weren’t going to be the first team.

The guard play is what to look out for most, though. Jonah Williams and Riley Reiff have the tackle spots on lock, and it seems that Quinton Spain may be narrowing down one of the guard positions, but Zac Taylor has made it very clear Week 1 starter haven’t been set yet. As of right now, Xavier Su’a-Filo is expected to get the nod alongside Spain in this final week three matchup against Miami. And Trey Hopkins is scheduled to make his debut at center behind Burrow.

The race through training camp and preseason has consisted of Quinton Spain, Michael Jordan, Xavier Su’a-Filo, D’Ante Smith, Jackson Carman, and Billy Price. Jordan and Spain have been taking most of the first-team reps, but it looks like Jordan may be losing that spot to Su’a-Filo as long as he performs well against a starting defense this Sunday.

Rookie D’Ante Smith is a name to monitor. He probably won’t win the starting job, but he wasn’t even expected to be in the conversation after being selected in the 4th round of the NFL Draft. But slowly, as training camp has developed, he has shown himself as a competitor for the starting job. So if Su’a-Filo or Spain don’t live up to the expectations, don’t be shocked if Smith gets his opportunity early in the season.

2. How does Ja’Marr Chase respond after a poor performance in Week 2 of the preseason.

Now I’m not worried about Chase. And other Bengals fans shouldn’t be either. He’s a rookie, there will be bumps in the road, and there will be good days and bad days. That is expected from a young player. I don’t anticipate too many snaps and field time in this game, but expect him to be out there with Joe Burrow returning. Still, being the last preseason game before the season opener against the Vikings, I’d only expect maybe a few possessions.

Even if Chase on sees a few targets, it will still be essential to see how he responds from last week after he had multiple drops. With Burrow throwing the ball, seeing how he does in a game-like situation will be even more critical.

So far, through training camp, he has only gotten better; his route running has never been an issue and has been something that has earned him a lot of praise. His ability to create separation right when he needs to is what makes his game partially so appealing. However, it seemed like his frustration got to him last game, which led to his focus not being all there. Nevertheless, even if Chase catches a few passes or one nice ball, it will ease the mind of many Bengals fans.

Do not be worried about Ja’Marr Chase. He will have a terrific rookie season and make a serious impact on the Bengals’ offense. Panic mode was never necessary. Especially since it is preseason, and he had a backup QB throwing him passes which he rarely took reps with.

3. What role does Noah Spence play after being signed earlier this week?

Noah Spence was signed earlier this week after the news that rookie edge rusher Joseph Ossai was done for the season due to a knee injury. Ossai was expected to have a key role on the defense this season after having an impressive training camp and Week 1 of the preseason. On the very first possession, he sacked Tom Brady after blowing by highly talented offensive lineman Tristian Wirfs.

This game will be vital for Spence to show his worth. Being signed earlier this week, he hasn’t had the chance to play in the first two preseason games, so if he doesn’t impress, he puts himself at risk of being cut from the 53-man roster. When watching Spence play, what stands out is his athleticism and ability to play all around the defense. He has been shown working out with Darrin Simmons and the special teams unit and as an edge rusher across the front seven. 

Spence’s best season was in 2016 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he managed to have 22 combined tackles, 16 solo tackles, 12 QB hits, 5.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Although unfortunately, he has yet to get back into form as he has jumped from team to team trying to find that same success. 

Cincinnati hopes to be that team where he finds that fit. But a lot will ride on his play against the Miami Dolphins Sunday evening.

How good can the Bengals wide receiver trio be?

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After the Cincinnati Bengals selected Ja’Marr Chase with the 5th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, it created a trio in the wide receiver room alongside Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd that some are already marking as one of the best and most talented in the NFL. But until they prove it, it will be farfetched.

Tyler Boyd is currently one of the best slot receivers in the league. He has been the Bengals’ most reliable receiver in terms of durability and consistent performance over the last two seasons. Boyd has two 1,000+ yard seasons in the previous three years and has secured 16 total touchdowns with a career average of 11.7 yards per catch. He remains underrated and could have another great season ahead with two other talented, dynamic wideouts lining up beside him, forcing defenses to single cover him.

Tee Higgins was selected in the 2nd round of the 2020 NFL Draft setting the stage alongside Joe Burrow. The two instantly put their connection and chemistry on display as the season unwinded last year. Higgins had 67 catches (tying the franchise record), 908 yards, and 6 touchdowns, averaging 13.6 yards per reception. Higgins has been extremely impressive so far in camp this year and has a lot of breakout potential in year two. And a lot like Boyd, with single coverage across the board, it will give Higgins a lot more opportunities to win one-on-one battles against the opposing secondary.

I believe this trio can be great together because as much as they will take receptions away from each other, they will also open up opportunities for each other. Any of the three could be the number one option on any given day. It provides Joe Burrow several outlets across the field, which is what you want as a QB. In addition, having a talented running back in the backfield in Joe Mixon will also clear pathways for the trio to succeed.

My 2021-22 regular season projections for each wideout:

Tyler Boyd – 76 catches, 1,098 yards, 6 touchdowns

Tee Higgins – 72 catches, 1,126 yards, 7 touchdowns

Ja’Marr Chase – 58 catches, 856 yards, 6 touchdowns

Training Camp Observations from the Bengals “Back Together Saturday”

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1. Joe Burrow is still regaining his rhythm 

On Saturday it was great to see QB1 back on the field. He was moving around the pocket, throwing on the run, and more importantly, smiling as he made throws with his knee brace on. But make no mistake, there are going to be some hiccups come week one against the Vikings. Burrow is still out there regaining the magic he had last time we saw him in a real game situation. These are some of the first throws he has made rolling around the pocket and it was clear on Saturday. He overthrew a couple of guys, made some bad reads, but still flashed some of that pinpoint accuracy he had as a rookie. Burrow is going to return to elite form, but don’t be shocked if it takes a week or two for him to find.

2. Tee Higgins is still the WR1

I am just as excited for Ja’Marr Chase as the next guy, and rightfully so, as he made an amazing sideline catch from Burrow on Saturday. That being said, Tee Higgins is still this team’s WR1. Higgins was fantastic on Saturday, his highlight being a touchdown catch in the back corner of the endzone during the red zone scrimmage portion of the practice. Higgins was constantly getting open all day and securing all his catches. He should also see some favorable matchups too with teams also having to take Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, and Joe Mixon into account. Higgins should easily eclipse 1,000 yards this year and should see close to double-digit touchdowns if healthy. 

3. The Linebackers may still be a liability

The Bengals have put a lot of effort in the last few years to improve the linebacker core, and it will no doubt be better, but there is still work to be done. Drafting three linebackers in last year’s draft to pair with Germaine Pratt, the Bengals are attacking the position, but Saturday’s practice may have shown why they need to invest more highly in the draft rather than going for quantity. There were multiple occasions where a running back or tight end slipped free in drills and made an easy wide-open catch. While it was only practice, we may once again have a season where we bite our tongues and pray that the linebackers aren’t a total liability. It will be a big prove it year for both Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson, who will be wearing the radio on defense in 2021.

4. The Defensive Backs are scrappy

The loss of Williams Jackson III was a big one, but the team brought in multiple free agents in Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton to pair with last year’s big free-agent Trae Waynes. Even newly acquired free agent Eli Apple was making an impact in Saturday’s practice. While this team may not have a true CB1, one thing was obvious, this is a tough and scrappy cornerback room that isn’t going to let anything come easy. They broke up multiple passes and forced several coverage sacks in drills. This secondary, with Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III at safety, may be one of the strengths of the defense this fall. The revamped cornerback room is hungry to prove doubters wrong!

5. This team gels well together 

After the drama last year of guys either not buying into Coach Taylor, or guys being locker room cancer, it appears that is all behind us. One thing stood out more than anything Saturday and that is this team gets along! Joe Mixon was hyping up defenders, defenders were swarming each other after good plays, heck, we already had Ja’Marr Chase dancing! This team is having fun and they are working together well. There is no drama, no locker room cancers, just a well-bonded team that has each other’s backs and works together, and I think it’s all because of QB1. The Bengals have handed this franchise to Burrow and let him take the wheel and it’s showing! Ladies and gentlemen, the Cincinnati Bengals have never been in better hands! 

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @PiersonNFL and let’s talk about some Bengals Football! Until next time, Who Dey!