Cincinnati Bengals | Anatomy of a fall

Statistically, the Cincinnati Bengals can count on the best quarterback in the NFL, the best receiver and the best quarterback chaser. The holy trinity of football. But the Bengals lose. And they waste the best years of a trio who only ask to be better surrounded.

Before the Bengals’ bye week, Joe Burrow had thrown 27 touchdown passes. He also accumulated 3,028 air yards. He led in both categories. He was also second in the NFL among quarterbacks who played more than 10 games with only 4 interceptions against him.

Even with the week off, Ja’Marr Chase remains the only receiver with more than 1,000 yards. Trey Hendrickson also remained at the top among his counterparts with 11.5 sacks.

Despite everything, the Bengals are stagnating in third place in their division with a record of four wins and seven losses.

They will face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, first in this same division at 8-3. According to the NFL’s forecast tool, the odds of seeing tiger helmets in the playoffs are fading, to 13%. A defeat could then be fatal.

The season is not over yet. The conclusion, however, can be summed up in a single sentence: the staff does not know how to properly surround its best players.

Hendrickson turns 30 on December 5. Five days later, Burrow will blow out 28 candles. And Chase will reach the quarter-century mark this offseason. These stars are running out of steam trying to pull a train that refuses to start.

The problems

Several obstacles prevent this team from moving forward, collectively.

First, the ground game. Without harming his team, Chase Brown is struggling to keep up with the pace set by the best running backs in the NFL. Not effective, incisive and decisive enough. He arrives at 34^e rank in the NFL for number of first downs acquired. Brown’s contribution is disproportionate to that of Burrow and Chase. The Bengals arrive at 27^e league rank for rushing yards per game.

Then, the defense. The arrival of marauder Geno Stone hasn’t changed anything. Logan Wilson tackles everything that moves, but the linebacker unit stands out for its permeability. On the front, Sam Hubbard is no longer a factor. The Bengals arrive 28^es for the average points awarded, 27^es for the number of touchdowns on the ground, 30^es for the quarter bag ratio and 31^es for touchdowns from the pay zone.

Finally, the special teams. Evan McPherson made the jump quickly to the NFL. The kicker made a name for himself during the Bengals’ epic playoff run in 2021. Since then, he has enjoyed an appreciable reputation defined by his consistency and precision. However, he has cost his teammates at least two victories this season. Two weeks ago against the Chargers when he missed two of his four field goals. Then, against the Ravens in week five, where he failed on his only attempt.

Contrary to popular belief, the offensive line is not a glaring problem. Burrow is not even in the group of 10 most hit quarterbacks and he comes in at 22^e scale for the number of pressures experienced. He also has the same average time as Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes to throw the ball.

The solutions

During the offseason, the Bengals will have to find another pass catcher. On the one hand to offer one more target to Burrow, but also to lighten Chase’s work. Late in the game against the Chargers, double coverage on the receiver destroyed the Bengals’ chances.

Chase is targeted on 22.97% of passing plays. A lower rate than Justin Jefferson, Zay Flowers and Amon-Ra St. Brown on their respective teams. The difference lies in the fact that Burrow must turn to Chase to achieve his goals on crucial plays, because of the lack of depth in attack.

There’s Tee Higgins, sure, but he’s caught fewer passes than tight end Mike Gesicki. Either way, Higgins has already revealed his plans to leave Cincinnati.

Last winter, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs all took advantage of their free agency to change teams. All three running backs lead the NFL in yards rushing in 2024. None landed with the Bengals.

But given the impact a change in environment had on these three stars, the Bengals will have to try at all costs to attract a running back looking for a new challenge. James Conner, Aaron Jones, Najee Harris and Nick Chubb will all be free as the air after March 12, 2025.

In defense, as on barely cleared land, everything has to be done. Any resource routed will have its use.

In the meantime, as they did at LSU, Burrow and Chase wow, score and dominate. At university, the duo was well surrounded. Currently, what is probably the best tandem of its generation is busy entertaining like two circus beasts, without being able to rejoice in the results of the show.