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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.

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

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!

Why the Bengals Could Exceed Expectations This Season

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Finishing 4-11-1 in 2020, the Bengals suffered through another tough season especially after the prosperous Joe Burrow went down with a traumatizing knee injury.

Many remain that do not see the potential in this young team. However, adding Burrow’s former teammate at LSU, Ja’Marr Chase, with the fifth overall pick to the plethora of talented receivers the Bengals already have in Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and Auden Tate could make for one of the more dynamic offenses in the league. Not to mention a healthy Joe Mixon in the backfield who is a capable 1,000+ yard rusher. 

The big concern that the NFL world still continues to question is the quality of the offensive line and there could be backlash still in passing on Oregon tackle Penei Sewell in the draft. But, hiring offensive line coach Frank Pollack, who has an excellent track record, plus the additions of veteran Riley Reiff and the second round pick and Fairfield, Ohio product Jackson Carman out of Clemson could be game-changing moves. During his collegiate career at Clemson, Carman played 1,934 snaps throughout 40 career games. He was stout for the Tigers, playing against the best of the best. Carman played against Ohio State and Alabama each twice over his three-years at Clemson. Cincinnati also added other lineman later in the draft in D’Ante Smith from East Carolina and center Trey Hill from Georgia while also re-signing guard Quinton Spain. If Jonah Williams continues to take strides in the right direction, he could also become a centerpiece for the Bengals line after they selected him in the first round in the 2019 NFL Draft. 

Additionally, the Bengals went all out on the defensive side of the ball through the draft and free agency this off-season to boost the pass rush, which ranked 29th in the league, and limit chunk plays that the defense often gave up. 

Notable moves include: 

  • DE – Trey Hendrickson (Four years, $60 Million) 
  • Edge – Joseph Ossai (3rd Round, Texas) 
  • CB – Chidobe Awuzie (3 years, $21.75 Million)
  • CB – Mike Hilton (4 years, $24 million)
  • DT – Larry Ogunjobi (1 year, $6.2 Million) 
  • S – Ricardo Allen (1 year, $1.5 Million) 
  • CB – Eli Apple (1 year, $1.2 Million) 
  • DE – Cameron Sample (4th Round, Tulane) 
  • DT – Tyler Shelvin (4th Round, LSU) 

Ultimately, Cincinnati will have its ups and downs throughout this season. With high-level talent on the offense however, critical replacements to the offensive line, and the new key additions to the defense, the Bengals have the potential to shock many if they can remain healthy. Cincinnati may be a dark horse come January.