In another universe, the Cincinnati Bengals would be flying.
Joe Burrow leads the league in passing yards, completions and touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase tops the charts in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns. Trey Hendrickson has 2.5 more sacks than anyone else.
And yet 2024 has been a frustrating tale of crucial penalties, poor tackling and botched kicks, leading to six one-score losses.
As a result, the 4-7 Bengals’ postseason chances sit below 15%. Mathematically possible… but only just.
Unsurprisingly, the fans want to fire the GM, head coach, defensive coordinator, kicker, Uncle Tom Cobley and all.
All that will have to wait – but are there any quick wins to be had now?
Offensive challenges
Despite having a sixth-ranked offence (26.1 PPG), slow starts, injuries to Tee Higgins and Orlando Brown Jr., and an unreliable run game have disrupted their rhythm.
And only Daniel Jones has taken more hits than Burrow.
Having been clobbered umpteen times last week by the Chargers, he clearly needs better protection from struggling guards and back-up tackles.
Both Cordell Volson and Alex Cappa rank in the bottom three in pressures allowed by interior lineman but alas, immediate replacements do not exist.
Could the coaches simplify the protection schemes, speed up Burrow’s release or employ designed rollouts to reduce interior pressure?
Defensive frailties
The defense has regressed without Jessie Bates and DJ Reader.
Despite investments in free agency and the draft, the pass rush is anaemic, adding pressure on the floundering Geno Stone and the twice-benched Cam Taylor-Britt.
Possible solutions? More snaps for the rookies could ease the load on the underperforming Sam Hubbard and Sheldon Rankins, and beefing up blitz packages may make them less predictable.
Simpler coverage schemes might also aid a secondary susceptible to lapses in concentration and poor communication.
Not-so-special teams
Furthermore, while special teams have relinquished a lot of ground on returns, it is the dog’s dinner of a kicking game that has cost the team points.
The newly minted Evan McPherson – three of seven from 50+ yards – is not going anywhere so what to do? Technical adjustments? Change holders? Practise high-pressure scenarios? Something has to give.
The way forward?
To play January football, Cincinnati need to go at least 5-1, if not win out. The margin for error is zero. So what is the answer?
After the Chargers game, head coach Zac Taylor declared: “We’re not gonna panic.”
Burrow added: “We gotta make those plays.” Tee Higgins ranted: “We just got to finish the f*****g game.”
If only it was as simple as that. Do not panic. Make plays. Finish.
I think the list is more like ‘Red zone efficiency. Clock management. Play calling. Communication.’
Hard to fix all that in a week though.
