CINCINNATI BENGALS
2022 Record -12-4
Head Coach - Zac Taylor
Offensive Rank - 8th (361 YPG); Scoring -7th (26.1 PPG)
Defensive Rank - 14th (336 YPG); Scoring - 5th (20.1 PPG)
Quarterback Joe Burrow is entering his fourth NFL season and in 2022, he passed for 4,475 yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and also scored five rushing touchdowns. Joe Mixon is coming off a season where he averaged just 3.9 yards per carry while gaining 814 yards and scored seven touchdowns while catching 60 passes with two scores. Rookie Chase Brown (Illinois) will look to contribute. Wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase (87 receptions, 1,046 yards, nine TD), Tee Higgins (74, 1,029, seven TD) and Tyler Boyd (58, 762, five TD) form one of the best trios in the NFL.
On defense, it will be ends Trey Hendrickson (eight sacks) and Sam Hubbard (6 1/2 sacks) leading the charge with linebackers Logan Wilson (team leading 123 tackles) and Germaine Pratt providing pressure as well. Rookie DE Myles Murphy (Clemson) will look to have some impact as well in the front seven. The secondary features some new faces after their top interception leaders bolted for free agency, leaving Cam Taylor-Britt and Chidobe Awuzie as the likely starters at cornerback. Rookie DJ Turner (Michigan) could be slotted in at CB as well. Nick Scott and Dax Hill are the safeties.
OUTLOOK FOR 2023 -The Bengals will be looking to get to the AFC Championship Game for a third straight year and will need a healthy Burrow all season long at quarterback to ensure they can possibly do that. Burrow has had a calf injury problem in training camp, but it's optimism for the team having him ready for the season opener. Head Coach Zac Taylor knows his team can get back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years as long as the defense plays consistently. Cincy had a bend, but don't break defense a year ago but could use more pressure up front rushing the passer (only 30 sacks in 2022) which would take some pressure off the secondary, which is going through a big turnover in player personnel.
The offense should be among the top ten in the NFL once again as long as Burrow and company keep doing their thing. The AFC North will likely be a two team race between the Bengals and Ravens, but the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers each beat the Bengals once last season, so nothing is guaranteed. The Bengals should make the playoffs and another deep run is a good possibility as long as the defense does their part.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Cleveland
Week Two - vs. Baltimore
Week Three - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Four - at Tennessee
Week Five - at Arizona
Week Six - vs. Seattle
Week Seven - BYE
Week Eight - at San Francisco
Week Nine - vs. Buffalo
Week Ten - vs. Houston
Week Eleven - at Baltimore
Week Twelve - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Thirteen - at Jacksonville
Week Fourteen - vs. Indianapolis
Week Fifteen - vs. Minnesota
Week Sixteen - at Pittsburgh
Week Seventeen - at Kansas City
Week Eighteen - vs. Cleveland
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