The 2023 Cincinnati Bengals have struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball. This is especially evident in the AFC North where they’ve been manhandled in every facet on their way to an 0-5 record in the division. The stellar play of Joe Burrow has covered a ton of warts, and they now seem to be rising to the surface after his wrist injury suffered against the Baltimore Ravens. It’s no secret the Bengals play in the toughest division in the NFL and the team that makes it out in good health often takes the crown. This Bengals defense is young in the backend and very thin up front which has only made matters worse when playing better teams. Cincinnati will look to rebuild this offseason in hopes of getting back to the style of play shown in the last two years.
The Cincinnati Bengals Have Defensive Deficiencies That Must Be Addressed
Physical Specimens
The most glaring weakness of this Bengals defense has been the lack of physicality across the board. When you play in the AFC North this just can’t happen, and even though the Bengals are built the least like their defensive divisional counterparts, it eventually catches up to you. The Bengals have been a fantastic December team in 2021 and 2022 under Zac Taylor but the Pittsburgh Steelers game brought them back to earth. Taylor lamented several issues by stating, “In all three phases and that was turnovers on offense and missed opportunities there. This is a humbling league. This is a humbling day. And we’re going to have to quickly be able to make corrections and put them behind us. And we have plenty to play for next week in Kansas City.”
Living on the EDGE
Trey Hendrickson is having the best season of his career and makes Sam Hubbard on the other side more effective on true pass rush sets. They make a solid duo together and have collectively made some of the best plays in the history of the franchise.
The Fumble in the Jungle. 🐅 @Sam_Hubbard_
Happy birthday to man behind one of the most electrifying moments of last season's #NFLPlayoffs. pic.twitter.com/CtsB3Id87N
— NFL (@NFL) June 29, 2023
The real issue arises when either of the Bengals bash brothers is off the field due to rest or injury. They simply don’t have the speed off the edge that the best teams in the NFL employ. Although rookie Myles Murphy has flashed at times, they seem to need more in consistently getting to the quarterback.
Reading the Room
The Bengals have a history of successful defensive tackles including 2X All-Pro Geno Atkins and DJ Reader. The styles of the two players are quite different with Atkins being more of a pass rusher while Reader is a true run-stuffer. Cincinnati has a difficult decision on Reader who will be a free agent coming off another significant injury as he turns 30 years old. The Bengals desperately need quality snaps from the defensive tackle position moving forward. It would be no surprise if they target this spot aggressively in the draft and via free agency in 2024 with hopes of getting back to the top of the division.
Main Photo: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio-USA TODAY NETWORK
