Something we all knew, well, most of us…that the Cincinnati Bengals Defense was nowhere good enough to compete in 2024, even though they’ve had the most favorable schedule in Joe Burrow’s career, has lost them another important game, should they desire a postseason.
The Bengals defense gave up a season high 44 points to a Pittsburgh offense that hasn’t scored more than 40 points since 2018 against the Carolina Panthers – an embarrassing feat, and one final “nail in the coffin.” The season is over. Over in December, the first day of it. It’s time for some change.
So…what’s next?
If you look into the history of the Cincinnati Bengals…absolutely nothing. They’ll run it all back next week in Dallas on Monday Night Football – one more national embarrassment for the 2024 Bengals that Vegas had winning 11.5 games. Come on guys, this is the same team that continued Marvin Lewis’ tenure well past its due. This is the team that employs Duke Tobin and Mike Brown’s Son-in-law as the head of personnel. Nothing is going to change.
Lou Anarumo’s defense has regressed so bad, again, to the point where it makes it look like all fingers has to point to the Front Office, and they should. The Bengals have spent over 10 picks on defense the last 3 seasons in their top 100. Myles Murphy has not molded into anything to take serious. Cam Taylor-Britt has regressed tremendously. Dax Hill, even when healthy, has not looked the part. There is no reason to keep excusing the malpractice that is the Cincinnati Bengals drafts the last few years – this isn’t on Lou Anarumo, this is on Duke Tobin.
BLACK FRIDAY Sale!
Up to 30% off EVERYTHING.
This sale ends TONIGHT! “BLACKFRIDAY24”
What can they do?
The Cincinnati Bengals 2024 season is over. It’s not what ‘can’ they do – it’s what WILL they do. And that answer is simple, if you have a brain: put themselves in a position to get the most premium pick they absolutely can. They failed at this in 2023 where they had no chance at the playoffs, will they fail at this again? That answer is likely yes. For whatever reason, they refuse to think the season is over, even though it is, and they’re already talking about how they can beat the Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
Sorry, but sometimes it doesn’t pay to finish ‘with class’ – and if Joe Burrow even needs to be told that, then great. Tell it to him. The best bet for this Bengals team is to put themselves in the best position to acquire an elite EDGE, LB, or potentially but not likely WR. It’s clear that the Bengals have the biggest issues on defense, and their top 10 pick should net a player that can step in DAY ONE as long as they don’t f it up like they probably will.
Coaching…Coaching…Coaching.
You guys have probably all read my tweets by now where I say I think all blame is to be pinned on the Front Office. I truly believe that to be the case. However, knowing that the change there is extremely unlikely, the next best thing to do is to let go of a few on the coaching staff. Unfortunately, Lou Anarumo wears the biggest target in that regard.
It’s true that his defenses have completely regressed – in 2023, the Bengals were a bottom 5 unit pound for pound. In 2024, they are…a bottom 5 unit pound for pound again. This is why I blame the FO, but…the FO is going to blame Lou. The famous saying is, “You can win with a bad FO with good coaching, you can’t win with a bad FO and bad coaching,” we have a case of the latter here. Lou’s defense is missing tackles left and right again. They aren’t creating turnovers. They aren’t stopping anyone. Their soft zone coverage is giving up historic Sundays to teams with historically bad offenses. It’s time to move on.
Past Lou Anarumo, I’m sorry but if you look at this list of coaches, my eyes set on guys like Bettcher, Cioffi, Burks, you know what, get rid of all of them. The whole Anarumo tree. These guys have been too bad for two seasons in a row. Zero improvements, nowhere. Anywhere.
I also think Frank Pollack’s time needs to come to an end. Let’s be real, the Offensive Line has also taken no steps forward. Cordell Volson got benched for Cody Ford in today’s game, who ended up doing even worse. This team just isn’t elevating, and they’ve been established for over 5 seasons now. It’s time to go. It’s time to make big changes. The Bengals now sit at a 4.9% chance at the playoffs. They’re 4-8. The season is over.
In hindsight, the season ended when they lost Game 1 to New England at home with Jacoby Brisset beating Joe Burrow in the Bengals with what many considered the worst team in the NFL at that time in the Patriots.
Definitely. It’s been pretty over from the beginning.