From 1-4 to Hopeful: Can the Bengals Build Momentum After Their Win Over the Giants?
The Cincinnati Bengals have experienced poor beginnings to the season on several occasions throughout Zac Taylor's six-year stint as head coach. The Bengals had a 0-2 record at the beginning of both the 2022 and 2023 seasons. However, they managed to win the AFC North division in 2022 and qualify for the playoffs. In 2023, the team, led by star quarterback Joe Burrow, looked to be headed for another late-season run. However, Burrow's wrist injury sustained against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11 ended that run, and the Bengals finished with a 9-8 record. Entering the 2024 season, the Bengals had hopes of avoiding yet another slow start and not having to pull themselves out of a hole. However, the Bengals were in an even bigger hole than in previous seasons before Sunday's Week Six game against the New York Giants, holding a 1-4 record and sitting in third place in the AFC North, behind the Ravens, who have overcome their own slow start, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have found success in their first season with former Bears quarterback Justin Fields. The question that fans and experts will be asking themselves moving forward after the Bengals defeated the Giants on Sunday Night Football to improve to 2-4 on the season, is whether the team can once again put together a winning season and make the playoffs for the third time in Burrow's career.
The explosive offense that the Bengals have assembled is one of the primary reasons for the team's and its fans' optimism going forward. The Bengals' offense struggled mightily in their Week One season opener against the New England Patriots, scoring just one touchdown and failing to establish a rapport between Burrow and his receiver. This was partly because wide receiver Tee Higgins missed the first two games of the season due to a hamstring injury that persisted, and fellow wideout Ja'Marr Chase missed some of training camp due to contract extension negotiations falling through. From that point on, though, the Bengals' offense has been the least of their concerns. They have scored 30 points or more in three of their last four games, and they rank seventh in the NFL in passing yards per game, averaging 249.7. They also have the third-most passing touchdowns with 12, trailing only the Packers and Buccaneers. In addition, Burrow would have been a strong mid-season contender for league MVP if not for the Bengals' sluggish start. He has the second-best QB rating, the fifth-most passing yards, and is tied for the second-most touchdowns.
In addition to the Bengals' potent offense, Cincinnati should be encouraged by their upcoming schedule. While the Bengals' 1-4 start may have significantly reduced their chances of winning the AFC North, their schedule positions them to challenge for one of the three AFC Wild Card spots and go on a winning streak. The Bengals will have a less demanding schedule to finish the season because of their 9-8 record from last season, which placed them last in their division. Currently, six of their final 11 games will be against teams with a .500 record or worse. Over the next three weeks, they will play two of those three games at home against the Raiders and Eagles, in addition to their road game next week against the division-rival Browns, possibly one of the worst teams in the NFL thus far. If they can build on their thrilling victory over the Giants on Sunday night, which saw the defense, who had struggled to start the season, allowing 41 points against the Ravens in Week Five, put in an impressive performance, the Bengals will be in a great position to contend for a postseason spot.
