The Cincinnati Bengals have been thoroughly dominated and utterly embarrassed in back-to-back weeks. In Week 3, they suffered the most lopsided loss in franchise history in Minneapolis. When they needed to bounce back to prove that performance was a fluke, they instead got steamrolled by a Broncos team that entered Week 4 having very much earned their 1-2 record.
The opening minutes teased hope. Cincinnati started with the ball, marched into the red zone, and Evan McPherson’s chip shot gave them an early 3-0 lead. Then, for the first time all season, the defense forced an opponent to punt on its opening drive. For a moment, it looked as if Zac Taylor’s crew had come to the Rocky Mountains ready to play football.
That illusion didn’t last long.
The wheels fell off completely. The Bengals tied a franchise record for most penalties in a half on Monday night. They couldn’t protect Jake Browning. They couldn’t stop Denver from running the ball. They couldn’t pressure Bo Nix, who calmly sat in the pocket and carved up the secondary. Cincinnati played poor football in every single phase.
When Browning had time, which was rare, he couldn’t find anyone downfield. When someone did spring open, he either didn’t see them or was already running for his life. The offense, aside from a few scattered first downs, did absolutely nothing. In fact, they never crossed midfield after their opening drive.
Last week in Minnesota, at least they managed to move the ball, even though they turned it over five times. Against Denver? They looked like a semi-pro outfit. Without Joe Burrow, this team is a supercar parked outside a shack—except it’s actually two supercars. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined for a measly handful of catches and no impact.
I’ve never been one to call for a midseason firing, but if the Bengals continue to get embarrassed against the Lions and Packers over the next two weeks, the family may not have a choice.
Yes, it’s early. They’re 2-2. The sky hasn’t officially fallen. But nothing about the last two weeks suggests this team is capable of surviving until Burrow is healthy. Browning looks overwhelmed, and the offensive line remains a disaster.
Randomness from Week 1
- In fairness, the offense deserves 75% of the blame for the team’s loss on Monday night. The defense couldn’t stop the Broncos, true, but they were also on the field ALL NIGHT LONG.
- Dax Hill’s tackle to save a touchdown displayed his incredible athleticism.
- Demetrius Knight is going to be a good linebacker next to Logan Wilson.
- At this point the Bengals need to look at another quarterback, especially if they still want to try to stay in the hunt in hopes Burrow can come back.
- Communication between Taylor and his quarterback always seems to be an issue. How many times have we seen Burrow call timeout because he couldn’t get a play call in? The Bengals took multiple delay of game penalties against the Broncos, and it looked like there were more communication issues once again.
- The most expensive wide receiver duo in the NFL combined for eight receptions for 55 yards.
- The Bengals had more penalties against the Broncos than they had first downs.
- Browning completed just over 50% of his passes for 125 yards. He was sacked three times, but he rarely looked comfortable in the pocket—if he had one.
- The issues that plague this team in 2025 are the same ones that plagued them in the last few years. They can’t protect the passer, they can’t tackle, and they can’t rush the passer.
- The bargain-bin shopping at guard bites the Bengals again. Jalen Rivers, who got the start at right guard, looked like he was wearing roller skates.
- How long can the Bengals continue to lose like this before Taylor begins to lose the locker room?
- Any good will bought with the two AFC Championship games and the Super Bowl trip has been spent and then some.
The Bengals go back to the drawing board (again), and now they have to get ready to try and keep pace with the No. 1 scoring offense in the league when the Lions come to town.
If you’re still optimistic, please tell me why in the comments below.
Now those memories come back to haunt me.
They haunt me like a curse.
Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true?
Or is it something worse?
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