CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals have rallied impressively, securing three consecutive victories for the first time this season. As they gain momentum, the playoff picture seems challenging, with five competing teams vying for the two available spots in the AFC postseason.
Currently holding a 7-8 record, the Bengals find themselves in a tight race alongside the Colts and Dolphins, who share the same tally. To enhance their playoff chances, the Bengals must secure a win against the visiting Denver Broncos (9-6) this Saturday, followed by a critical showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) in the regular season’s final game. However, they will also require assistance from other teams in the league.
An area of concern for the Bengals is that they have yet to defeat a team with a winning record this year. With newfound momentum on their side, it remains imperative for them to overcome that obstacle to bolster their playoff aspirations. “This is what we expect for ourselves. We’ve put ourselves in a position to play meaningful games,” stated Bengals coach Zac Taylor after their 24-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns. “Now we’ll shift our focus to a short week ahead with the Denver Broncos.”
In the offensive spotlight, Joe Burrow has made history by becoming the first NFL player to throw for at least 250 yards and three or more touchdowns in seven straight games. Highlighting his performance against the Browns, one touchdown pass to Tee Higgins was achieved while Burrow was falling. Overall, he completed 23 of 30 passes for 252 yards. Meanwhile, Ja’Marr Chase is in the running for the receiving “triple crown,” racking up six receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown in the same match. He currently leads the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Kicker Cade York also made headlines by tying a franchise record with a remarkable 59-yard field goal.
“The guys have responded positively throughout the season,” said Taylor. “We’ve faced some tough losses that went down to the wire. Despite that, we’ve been competitive and, while it’s not about regaining confidence because it’s been there, we are making necessary plays at crucial moments to take charge of these games. This has been evident in our last three games, and we need to keep that trend going.”
However, there are aspects needing improvement. Burrow has fumbled the ball ten times this season, including a pivotal lost fumble during the game against the Browns when the Bengals were close to scoring on the Cleveland 2-yard line.
In terms of recent performances, safety Jordan Battle had a memorable week, previously recovering a fumble and running it back, although he fumbled at the goal line resulting in a touchback. Against the Browns, he intercepted a second-half pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the end zone, contributing to the Bengals’ defense, which has tallied nine takeaways over the past two games.
On the downside, the Bengals’ struggling offensive line allowed four sacks during the match, exposing a significant vulnerability. Additionally, injuries are beginning to take their toll; tackle Amarius Mims left the game with an ankle injury and did not return.
A notable statistic is the impressive average of 5.1 yards per carry by running back Chase Brown, who continues to improve. He finished the game with 18 carries totaling 91 yards.
Looking ahead, the Bengals aim to sustain their quest for a playoff spot when they host the Broncos this Saturday in their final home game of the season, before wrapping up their campaign against the Steelers the following week.
