After 2 consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances at Kansas City, and a Super Bowl appearance back in 2021, the Cincinnati Bengals took a step back last year and missed out on the playoffs altogether, despite having a 9-8 record (4th in AFC North).  There are many reasons for why they missed, beginning with the wrist injury to starting QB Joe Burrow, but the issues were exposed greater once he went down.

The secondary, which lost Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III in the 2023 offseason, gave up the second most explosive plays in the league last season. Stats aside, it shows on the field as they fell apart time after time due to poor communication. Perfect example of this was when the Houston Texans, led by CJ Stroud, came into Paycor Stadium (11/12/23) and picked them apart, with Devin Singletary and Noah Brown having career games that day. The front office felt the need to deepen the secondary room this offseason and brought back Vonn Bell after he was released from Carolina and signed Geno Stone from Baltimore, and they should provide some help to a secondary that was basically torched week in, week out.

The heavily criticized offensive line, led by 2023 free-agent signing Orlando Brown Jr, didn’t help matters as they were one of the worst in the league in QB pressures and sacks allowed, with Brown allowing the most at the left tackle position. QB pressures and sacks allowed have been the common theme in Cincinnati the past few seasons, and the team still hasn’t done anything of significance to improve their offensive line.  They hope that the acquisition of Trent Brown and drafting Amarius Mims and Matt Lee could provide some help to keep Burrow healthy and upright.

What also didn’t help the offensive line was a lack of a legitimate running game last season, rushing for the 2nd fewest yards overall and barely averaging 4 yards/carry.  Gone was the reason for it, Joe Mixon, as he was traded to the Texans. In comes Zach Moss from the Colts. He hopes to pair with Chase Brown to provide some form of an explosive 1-2 punch at the running back position for an offense that sorely needs some balance on offense.

Poor play in the AFC North didn’t help either as they went 1-5 in the division, with the one win coming in the season finale against the Cleveland Browns when they sat all their starters and 2nd string backups. They were outscored in the three division road losses (at Baltimore, at Cleveland, and at Pittsburgh) 84-36, only scoring 3 offensive touchdowns in those games. Despite having a winning record overall, they can point to the very poor play against their divisional rivals as to one of the main reasons they missed out and finished in last place in the tough AFC North, which saw all 4 teams finish over .500.

This year’s training camp saw Burrow fully participate for the first time since his rookie season, while others sat out during periods of rest during the training camp period.  The biggest “hold-in” during the period was WR Ja’Marr Chase, who sat the entire period as he and the Bengals continue negotiations on a contract extension.  Even though one hasn’t be finalized yet, Chase has returned to practice this week and is expected to be on the field when they open the season September 8 against the New England Patriots.

Overall, the team came out of training camp unscathed for the most part as the season approaches. In the tough AFC, playoff spots will be a battle like it has been the past 2 season. The 2024 Cincinnati Bengals should be in the middle of the playoff hunt should everyone stay healthy and play up to their potential. However, to be able to get one of those playoff spots, the play overall must be better than it was last season.

While the focus is on the Week 2 matchup against the back-to-back Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs by the “Bengals Community” (for whatever reason it is), the real focus should be improving on an abysmal division record.  In a difficult AFC North that saw the other three teams surpass 10 wins and make the playoffs last year, the Bengals must find ways to get divisional wins and stay in the playoff race. Going 1-5 in the division for the second straight season, regardless of the week 2 result in KC, won’t get the job done. 

The opportunity is there. They have to improve and make the most of it.

Photo Credit; Loveland Magizine, Bengal’s Wire,