CINCINNATI BENGALS
2024 Record - 9-8-0
Head Coach - Zac Taylor
2024 Offensive Rank - (9th overall) - 366 YPG; Passing - 273 (1st), Rushing - 93 YPG (30th); SCORING - 27.8 PPG (6th)
2024 Defensive Rank - (25th overall) - 348 YPG; Passing - 223 YPG (21st), Rushing - 125 YPG (19th); SCORING - 25.5 PPG (25th)
Key Additions for 2025 - T.J. Slaton (DL), Shemar Stewart (rookie - Texas A & M), Samaje Perine (RB), Lucas Patrick (OL), Noah Fant (TE)
Key Losses for 2025 - Sam Hubbard (DL), Von Bell (DB), Mike Hilton (DB), Alex Cappa (OL), Akeem Davis-Gaither (LB)
OFFENSE - Quarterback Joe Burrow once again did his thing, passing for 4,918 yards with 43 touchdowns and just nine interceptions while throwing to top targets Ja'Marr Chase, who had 127 receptions for 1,708 yards with 17 touchdowns. Wide receiver Tee Higgins (73, 911, 10 TD) is the other cog in the air attack along with Andrei Iosivas (36, 479, 6 TD) and tight end Mike Gesicki, who had 65 catches for 665 yards and two scores. Veteran tight end Noah Fant (48, 500, one TD with Seattle) is also available. Running back Chase Brown (990 yards, 4.3 YPC, 7 TD) is the primary runner for the Bengals.
DEFENSE - Defensive End Trey Hendrickson (17 1/2 QB sacks) is available again pending his contract extension dispute with the team. He leads the defense, which has work to do after a dismal 2024 season.
Safety Geno Stone (four interceptions) and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (three picks) along with linebacker Germaine Pratt (team leading 143 tackles and two INT) are players who get it done for the defense as well. Nose tackle T.J. Slaton comes over from Green Bay to add more depth up front, which would help out B.J. Hill (three sacks), Joseph Ossai (five sacks) and Hendrickson. The Bengals had 36 sacks and picked off 15 passes a year ago, but were in the bottom half of the NFL in points allowed.
OUTLOOK FOR 2025 - The big question for the team is whether the defense will step up in 2025 to keep them competitive as they play in the AFC North, where the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers were playoff teams a year ago. A quicker start this season would definitely help as they cannot afford another 1-4 start. The schedule appears to be more favorable this time around in the first eight weeks, but they have to prove it on the playing field.
Head Coach Zac Taylor is one of the coaches rumored to be on the "hot seat" if the team fails to make the playoffs for a third straight year. Barring injury, count on Burrow and company to light up the scoreboard again this season and if the defense steps up, the Bengals could be making some noise come January. They have the talent, it's just a matter of getting things going right out of the gate and maintaining consistency as the season goes along.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - at Cleveland
Week Two - vs. Jacksonville
Week Three - at Minnesota
Week Four - at Denver
Week Five - vs. Detroit
Week Six - at Green Bay
Week Seven - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Eight - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Nine - vs. Chicago
Week Ten - BYE
Week Eleven - at Pittsburgh
Week Twelve - vs. New England
Week Thirteen - at Baltimore
Week Fourteen - at Buffalo
Week Fifteen - vs. Baltimore
Week Sixteen - at Miami
Week Seventeen - vs. Arizona
Week Eighteen - vs. Cleveland
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