We’ve reached the midway point of the NFL season after the Bengals win decisively against Las Vegas. The Bengals are 4-5 and Joe Burrow continues to play at an MVP level. But do they have what it takes to make the postseason? November and December is usually that time that the Bengals get hot, but I believe they’ll need some extra help. Can the Bengals right the ship?
Get Right Week
First and foremost, the Bengals need a “get right week.” They head on the road against a division foe with the Ravens on a short week. WR Tee Higgins has missed the last two games with a quad injury, while LT Orlando Brown missed this past week with a calf/knee injury. Adding those guys back into an offense that just scored 41 will be critical for the Bengals to right the ship.
BJ Hill and Erik All both left the game with injuries and did not return, so we’ll have to see if they can get back quickly. Sources say Erik All suffered a pretty significant knee injury, but we’ll have to see after testing is done tomorrow. I expect him to land on IR. Zack Moss is also expected to go on IR with a neck injury.
In the last matchup with Baltimore, the Bengals were a missed field goal away from winning. They scored 35 points and Joe Burrow had a very similar statline he had this week. Scoring 5 touchdowns through the air against Vegas, I like Burrow’s odds to have another great performance on Thursday. Mike Gesicki had 5 catches with 2 touchdowns and 100 yards, and Chase Brown ran all over for 151 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
The Bengals are also looking for some growth and maturity from rookie WR Jermaine Burton. He was going to be a huge part of the game-plan against the Raiders, but no-called-no-showed to practice on Saturday. Zac Taylor stated after the game that Burton will face no further discipline after being inactive.
Time to make a trade!
The Bengals are one of the very serious teams trying to buy at the deadline, according to Dianna Russini of the Athletic. For a team that has only aquired two players via trade in the last 52 years, that is a significant development.
EDGE rusher Azeez Ojulari of the New York Giants is a hot name. He fits the mold of the Bengals signing players that abused them. Racking up two sacks and six pressures against the Bengals, he helps the lack of pass rush the Bengals have. A career high 6 sacks already, he could be a huge addition for an early day 3 selection.
Cornerback Marshawn Lattimore is also an interesting name as the Saints fall to last place in the NFC South at 2-7. DJ Turner and Cam Taylor Britt have shared their struggles this season, and adding a solid veteran would do the defense wonders.
Either way, the Bengals roster is not currently good enough to contend. That’s just the honest truth. They need to step out of their comfort zone and add a defensive weapon if they even want to think about the postseason. Duke Tobin needs to make a splash for the Bengals to right the ship.
What’s Key to Righting the Ship
The Bengals defense has been mediocre at best all year and have not shown up against a good team yet. If they can make that trade and improve to even just average, that will play a huge role in success. Joe Burrow and his offensive weapons need to continue to be on the same page. Maturity and execution is going to be critical to winning the next few ball games.
It’s also important to note that the Bengals will only play one game (against the LA Chargers) in a 23 day stretch after Baltimore. There will be a long time to recover. Put everything on the line like it’s the Super Bowl and WIN in Baltimore for the first time since 2021.
The season is far from over and the Bengals control their destiny into a wildcard spot. Winning the AFC North is still in reach with 3 games left against the Ravens and Steelers. Add some pieces, control what you can control, and the Bengals will be playing January football.
