Team Overview
The Cincinnati Bengals head into the 2024/2025 NFL season with high hopes and championship aspirations. After finishing the previous season with a strong 12-5 record and making a deep playoff run, the Bengals are determined to build on their recent successes. Under the guidance of head coach Zac Taylor and led by star quarterback Joe Burrow, the team is poised to compete fiercely in the AFC North and beyond. With a roster packed with talent and a few strategic offseason additions, the Bengals are aiming to capture their first Super Bowl title.
Offensive Line Analysis
The Bengals have made significant strides in improving their offensive line, a critical component of their high-powered offense. The line is anchored by left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who provides stability and protection for Joe Burrow’s blind side. The addition of rookie guard Cooper Beebe from Kansas State, a second-round draft pick, is expected to bolster the interior line, enhancing both pass protection and run blocking. The line’s performance will be crucial in allowing Burrow to connect with his dynamic receiving corps, including Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and in establishing a balanced offensive attack.
Defensive Line Analysis
Cincinnati’s defensive line is a formidable unit, known for its ability to pressure quarterbacks and disrupt opposing offenses. The line is led by standout defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who consistently ranks among the league leaders in sacks. The Bengals have also invested in young talent, such as defensive tackle D.J. Reader, to strengthen their run defense. The depth and versatility of the defensive line will be essential in a division that features strong running games and mobile quarterbacks. The Bengals’ ability to control the line of scrimmage will be a key factor in their defensive success this season.
2024 NFL Season
Week 8 Review – vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Once again, the Bengals have shown they are not prepared to compete this season. Any fairly capable team can soon find the cracks in defense that have been their major problem since the start of the campaign, and Jalen Hurts’ Eagles could not be the exception. The QB let down the passing game a little to offer a sneaky performance on the ground and was successful in a game where the visitors obliterated Cincinnati in the rushing department.
The good news from the locals came from Rookie Wide Receiver Jermaine Burton, who completed an excellent game to receive Joe Burrow’s praise. As we said before, there’s a severe lack of talent surrounding the QB at the moment, so he could be a breath of fresh air necessary to reignite the project.
Week 7 Review – vs. Browns
The Bengals keep pushing for their recovery, and this time, they beat the Browns with yet another great performance by Burrow, who, in other circumstances and with more talent surrounding him, would be pushing for the MVP. The issue is that they have two victories in a row against some of the worst teams in the NFL, so that’s not a good parameter.
In other news, and speaking about the Browns, Cincinnati sent a proposal of five draft picks for Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett. It’s yet to be seen if their division rivals will accept, but it’s clear that the Bengals want to qualify for the postseason at all cost. However, this week, they face a team of the Eagles that is always solid, so things are not looking all that good.
Week 6 Review – vs. New York Giants
Cincinnati sealed the deal against one of the worst teams in the NFL, washing their face after the Week 5 meltdown. It was one of the worst games of the weekend, with only seven points being scored in the first half, thanks to a TD by Joe Burrow, who had an interesting evening leading his team in the aerial and ground game. He was the shining light in a dark match, and at least the Bengals know that they have the required figure to rebuild their project around, at least, while he is healthy.
Their next challenge will be against the Browns in Cleveland, a city that has been hell for them even with their state rivals being in low hours.
Week 5 Review – vs. Baltimore Ravens
That’s it. That was the chance for the Bengals to probe that they had what it takes to surprise the most powerful teams in the league and that they could recover from their poor start. It was not to be, as a Justin Tucker field goal in overtime ended their season for good. A 1-4 mark in five weeks would not take you to the postseason in any normal season, and they gave the win to a divisional rival that achieved its recovery, so it is over for good.
The Bengals tried, as Burrow had one of the best games of his career with 30 successful passes, almost 400 aerial yards, and five touchdown passes, although he was intercepted once. Ja’Marr Chase also had an excellent game, making the touchdown for the Bengals to be 38-28 up at some point in the fourth quarter. However, the defense was nothing to be seen, and Cincinnati was beaten in the rushing game by a mile at the end.
Some media outlets talk about the possibility of recovering, considering the positive things shown last Sunday. However, we have the sensation that those are mere pats on the head to a team that is done for good and suffered some key injuries, producing some roster movement heading to next weekend’s game.
Week 4 Review – vs. Carolina Panthers
The Bengals finally won, but they had to face the worst team from the previous season of the NFL, the Carolina Panthers, to get their first. In their defense, the NFC South team is showing plenty of improvement, so it wasn’t an easy game, but they still have the worst defense in the league. That was exploited by Burrow, who was the star of the night after completing 22 passes for 232 aerial yards and two TD passes. Ja’Marr Chase also showed signs of improvement, but the second best player for the Bengals was Chase Brown, with his two TD on the rush.
Then again, Carolina is not a good measurement for anyone, but it can be the confidence boost necessary for the Bengals to reignite their season, or at least try to. Still, they have plenty of things to improve, especially in defense, and their next game is a must-win against an aggressive team of the Ravens. The future is still not promising.
Week 3 Review – vs. Washington Commanders
The Bengals suffered yet another setback and confirmed their worst start to a season in many years. The 2022 Super Bowl contenders have been terrible at defense and getting worse every game, receiving 16, 26, and 38 in the first three matches. Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt was the focus of negative attention after dissing rookie Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and getting surpassed by him in the individual duel.
Now, the next challenge is against a rebuilding Panthers team that comes from its first win, although there is a general feeling that the season is already over for Cincinnati.
Week 2 Review – vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Just like in the 21/22 Super Bowl against the Rams, the Bengals touched the victory with the tip of their fingers, and an annotation in the last second dramatically crushed their dreams. This time, it was against the Chiefs in a game that could have turned their luck around after many months of mediocrity. It was still a good game for Joe Burrow, who, with 23/36 passes, 258 Yards, and 2 TDs, had a much better game than Mahommes, who had two TDs as well but suffered two interceptions.
That allows Burrow to lead his team to surpass the Chiefs in passing yards, something easier said than done in this age.
Their next challenge will be against the Commanders, who are 1-1 after beating the weak NY Giants at home.
Week 1 Review – vs. New England Patriots
After an excellent couple of seasons at the beginning of the decade, the Bengals are still on a downward curve and their recent loss against the Patriots probes it. It was a pretty terrible 10-16 defeat with the locals failing to score a single point in the entire first half. It was a dull game regarding passing yards, with neither Joe Burrow nor his counterpart doing much. However, the Bengals were obliterated in the rushing yards, with Rhamondre Stevenson going forward at will.
Ja’Marr Chase finally featured after a long standout from the team waiting for a contract extension and a salary boost. His lack of practice time was evident, but the Bengals’ problems go far beyond the receiver. This week, they’ll face the Chiefs as visitors in a game that could further expose their flaws.
Odds to Win Division and Super Bowl
– Odds to Win AFC North: +150, indicating they are the favorites in a competitive division.
– Odds to Win Super Bowl: +1200, translating to a 7.7% chance, positioning them as one of the top contenders for the championship.
Predictions
– Overall Record: The Bengals are projected to finish with a 12-5 record, reflecting their strong roster and the continuity of their core players.
– Playoff Chances: The Bengals are highly likely to make the playoffs, with their odds reflecting a strong probability of securing a postseason berth.
– Super Bowl Chances: With their current odds, the Bengals are considered legitimate contenders for a Super Bowl run, provided they maintain health and consistency throughout the season.
In summary, the Cincinnati Bengals are entering the 2024/2025 season as one of the NFL’s premier teams, with a well-rounded roster capable of competing at the highest level. Their success will largely depend on the performance of their offensive and defensive lines, as well as the continued excellence of Joe Burrow and his supporting cast. As they aim for a Super Bowl title, the Bengals are poised to be a dominant force in the AFC.
-
Gambyl Nation Editorial Team: Author
The Gambyl Nation Editorial team are made up of industry betting professionals and sports fans from across North America, Latin America and South America.
View all posts