Just when it seemed like the Cincinnati Bengals had given up, they went to Miami and took care of business.
How can they do the same this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals?
Here are the keys to Cincinnati getting the W this Sunday.
Keep Rolling
Take a look around. The Bengal finally put together a complete game last week in their defeat of the Miami Dolphins. Now it’s time to make Fred Durst proud and keep rollin’.
The Bengals offense needs to do what we all know it’s capable of and produce, both on the ground and through the “air raid vehicle” that is Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. We all love seeing this. Don’t put out tender heats in a blender; just perform on offense.
The defense has consistently made Bengals fans want to break stuff, but there have been some recent performances that give you faith.
Likely without Joseph Ossai again, Myles Murphy will need to step up and show that he can do it on his own. The defense needs to step up in key moments, as they did a week ago, and create turnovers.
There were six Limp Bizkit references in this section. Did you spot them all?
Trey. No, Not THAT Trey
Trey McBride’s projected 19.47 fantasy points are the reason why I’ll most likely win my fantasy league this weekend, but McBride is the biggest threat to the Bengals winning on Sunday.*
McBride leads the Cardinals in all major receiving categories with 109 receptions for 1,098 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Bengals have struggled to cover tight ends all season. Call me Shooter McGavin if you want, but this is the perfect storm.
The problem is that tight ends tend to attack the areas that the linebackers and safeties are responsible for, and those are areas of consistent trouble for the Bengals’ defense.
This would be a great time for the rookie linebacker to step up and show what they can do.
Barrett Carter’s strength in college was coverage. He may give up a few inches to McBride, but he has the athleticism to stick with him.
Demetrius Knight has shown some flashes in coverage, but inconsistency has held him back.
The Bengals need their linebackers and safeties to step up this week.
Beyond that, it is extremely likely that Carter, Knight, and Jordan Battle are all starting for this defense next season. It would be great for them to have a high-level performance against a top talent to build on.
*Although with my luck, they’ll shut McBride down and Elijah Higgins will light them up, or maybe former Cincinnati Bearcat Josiah Deguara will spontaneously have the best game of his life after posting one reception for six yards all season.
Take an Early Lead
This is good for everyone.
Playing from the front lets the offense stay balanced, and Chase Brown stay involved. It helps the defense by not allowing the opposition to lean on their run game. Also, at some point, it becomes pass-rush time, and that’s fun for everybody.
Last but certainly not least, it is good for the stress level of fans.
The Middle
The Bengals outscored the Dolphins 21-0 in the 3rd quarter last week despite kicking off to start the half.
That is quite the hole to bury an opponent in and nearly impossible to overcome.
How you start the second half sets the tone for the rest of the game. 21-0 is a big ask, but they need to make a statement in the third quarter again this week.
Cancun can Wait
These late-season games with nothing on the line often come down to motivation. If the Bengals are going to win this week, they’ve got to want it.
Yes, I want Caleb Downs as much as anybody, but fighting together and winning games has an impact that I believe carries over season to season.
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