While the Bengals’ playoff odds are long, there is still a chance that they can win the division if they win out. So against all odds, we get meaningful games in December.
It’s a Festivus miracle!
9 + 1
The boys are back in town.
This weekend, the Bengals will have Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase together for the first time since September 14th. This duo has won a triple crown, receiving a title and multiple Comeback Player of the Year awards. In Cincinnati, the pair has connected on 387 passes for 5,317 yards and 46 touchdowns, and that’s not even including what they did together in college.
Now the team’s heart and soul are back together with the season on the line.
Reunited and it feels so good.
Run Defense
While the defense has vastly improved in recent weeks, this week will be a serious challenge.
The Bills are the NFL’s top-ranked rushing team, averaging 155.7 yards rushing per game and 5 yards per rush attempt. James Cook leads the way with 1,228 yards this season, and quarterback Josh Allen is a true dual threat.
Although they seem to have cleaned it up since the bye week, the Bengals have had some serious tackling issues this season. Among the biggest offenders were their pair of rookie linebackers, Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter. The two had their hands full chasing Lamar Jackson outside the pocket a week ago, so Allen could present a particularly large challenge.
Play from the Front
The offense can help the defense out by scoring early and often. This will put pressure on the Bills’ offense to score and discourage them from running the ball.
Offensive coordinators love to talk about analytics, but put some points on the other side of the scoreboard, and they will react emotionally.
Meanwhile, the Bengals’ offense can run the ball against a Bills defense that ranks 30th in the league. This could be a very big day for Chase Brown as long as the Bengals can control the game.
Time of Possession
One thing that really helped the defense out a week ago was that they were rarely on the field.
The Bengals beat the Ravens in time of possession by over 17 minutes and took 23 more snaps than the Ravens did. Essentially, the Ravens defense was forced to defend the Bengals offense for a quarter longer than the Bengals had to worry about Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
The defense is still developing, and controlling the game will make it a lot easier for them.
Finish Drives
As good as many things looked for the Bengals on Thanksgiving, they were a pitiful 1-6 in the red zone. You are not going to win many games like that.
They need to figure out how to get the ball in the end zone and finish those drives with seven points instead of three (or zero
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