CINCINNATI BENGALS
2023 Record - 9-8
Head Coach - Zac Taylor
Key Additions - Geno Stone (DB), Zack Moss (RB), Vonn Bell (DB), Sheldon Rankins (DL), Mike Gesicki (TE)
Key Losses - D.J. Reader (DL), Tyler Boyd (WR), Joe Mixon (RB), Nick Scott (DB), Jonah Williams (OT), Chidobe Awuzie (DB)
2023 STATS LINE
PASSING - Joe Burrow (2,309 yards, 15 TD, 6 INT)
RUSHING - Joe Mixon (1,034 yards, 4.0 ypc, 9 TD)
RECEIVING - Ja'Marr Chase (100 receptions, 1,216 yards, 7 TD)
SACKS - Trey Hendrickson (17 1/2)
INTERCEPTIONS - Cam Taylor-Britt (4), Logan Wilson (4)
OUTLOOK FOR 2024 - The team will be hopeful that quarterback Joe Burrow is 100 percent healthy this season. The fifth year QB missed significant time last year with calf and wrist injuries and that definitely cost the Bengals a return trip to the AFC playoffs. Head Coach Zac Taylor knows the team will be much better suited for a run in January with Burrow calling the signals.
The Bengals offense will have some new names in 2024, running back Joe Mixon is now with Houston and in place of him will be Zack Moss (794 yards, 4.3 ypc, 5 TD with Indianapolis) as Cincinnati looks to ramp up a weak rushing attack from a year ago. They averaged a meager 90 yards per game (31st in NFL) and scored 21.5 PPG. The passing game was mediocre (229 YPG, which was 15th overall) and Bengals passers were sacked 50 times. That must improve as well. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been chirping about contract money and if he isn't in sync with Tee Higgins, it could mean rookie Jermaine Burton (Alabama) will be in the mix as a primary target.
The defense was abysmal last year, ranking 31st in the league, allowing 375 yards per game and 22.6 points per game as well. The Bengals did have 17 interceptions and 44 sacks, so that was a plus, but the secondary too often was torched for big gains by opponents. Cincinnati allowed 248 YPG in passing and the run defense was gashed for 126 YPG. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson will look to have another big year after leading the team in sacks and along with linebacker Logan Wilson (team high 135 tackles and four INT) and DT Sheldon Rankins (six sacks with Houston) attempt to solidify the leaks in the defense. Veteran safety Geno Stone (seven interceptions in 2023) comes over from Baltimore to aid the effort in the secondary.
If Cincinnati is going to win the AFC North title, they have to be much better on defense and definitely will have to beat the teams in their division, which is considered by many to be the best in pro football. Cincy was 1-5 against division foes last season while finishing in last place with a winning record as Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh all made the playoffs. Having Burrow back healthy will make a big difference in scoring for the team, which should get the Bengals to double digits in victories this year. After back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances (and the Super Bowl three years ago), the Bengals do have their work cut out for them. A return to the playoffs is a good possibility, but they must win more division games this season for that to happen.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. New England
Week Two - at Kansas City
Week Three - vs. Washington
Week Four - at Carolina
Week Five - vs. Baltimore
Week Six - at N.Y. Giants
Week Seven - at Cleveland
Week Eight - vs. Philadelphia
Week Nine - vs. Las Vegas
Week Ten - at Baltimore
Week Eleven - at L.A. Chargers
Week Twelve - BYE
Week Thirteen - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Fourteen - at Dallas
Week Fifteen - at Tennessee
Week Sixteen - vs. Cleveland
Week Seventeen - vs. Denver
Week Eighteen - at Pittsburgh
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