The Cincinnati Bengals live via a season of heartbreaks. With 4 losses already on the books, each a nail-biter, they’ve earned the title of the NFL’s unluckiest crew.
Their Week 5 conflict in opposition to the Ravens was simply one other chapter on this story of near-misses, leaving followers questioning what might have been.
However don’t depend them out simply but. ESPN’s Mike Greenberg isn’t able to slam the door on the Bengals’ playoff hopes.
On a latest ESPN Radio phase, he shared his take:
“Look Cleveland is terrible, the Steelers are not really that good, the Ravens are the class of that division but the Bengals absolutely had them beat yesterday. Even at 1-4, I’m not ready to write off Cincinnati.”
“Even at 1-4, I’m not ready to write off Cincinnati.”@Espngreeny says the shut losses to prime AFC contenders make him assume the Bengals can nonetheless make a playoff run 🐅 pic.twitter.com/hVYHwjpfMW
— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) October 9, 2024
Greenberg sees a glimmer of hope of their remaining schedule, suggesting they might nonetheless emerge from the AFC North with a decent report.
And he’s not mistaken to carry onto that hope. Joe Burrow confirmed flashes of brilliance in opposition to the Ravens, with the Bengals holding a 10-point lead three separate occasions within the second half. However someway, victory slipped via their fingers as soon as once more.
The actual thorn in Cincinnati’s facet? Their protection. As Greenberg suggests, “Their defense is so bad.”
They’re languishing at thirtieth in factors allowed per drive and second-worst in defensive success fee, in accordance with ESPN Analysis.
They’re giving up 29 factors a recreation, barely edging out the Panthers’ 33.
However it’s their third-down and red-zone protection that’s actually killing them. Within the final three video games, opponents have been changing these essential alternatives into touchdowns at an alarming 83.3% fee.
The Bengals aren’t simply combating for a playoff spot anymore; they’re battling to reclaim their identification as a crew.
They want wins, and so they want them quick.
