This has been one of the most disappointing starts to a season for the Cincinnati Bengals in recent memory. The team was built to contend for titles and win in the AFC North. However, that was two or three years ago. Now, the team went into the season blind to the glaring deficiencies and it has hamstrung what could have been another successful season. All in all, each season without a playoff appearance with Joe Burrow at the helm is a waste of the career of what could be the best Bengals quarterback.
According to PlayoffStatus.com, the Bengals currently have a 20 percent chance at the playoffs. With a win, that nudges up to 23 percent with plenty of work to be done. A loss, however, drops Cincinnati to 3-6 with a tough stretch upcoming and a 12 percent shot at the postseason.
Joe Burrow is Right; Week 9 is a “Must-Win” for the Cincinnati Bengals
Plain and simple, the Bengals need to win. With three wins over three of the worst teams in the NFL in the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns, the season isn’t over. However, those five losses – one of which was against the 2-6 New England Patriots – are indicative that there are some deep-seated issues on this team. Burrow understands this and is essentially like the playoffs from here on out.
When asked about the urgency in this game to get the win, Burrow responded:
“This is a must-win game,” Burrow said. “We’re 3-5. You go to 3-6, then you gotta basically have to win out to get in. Urgency’s very high every week from hear on out.”
“I’m not sure it really changes the prep,” Burrow said about the team’s mentality in a crucial week. “We’re gonna prep like that every week, no matter what, but it changes how you feel throughout the week. Your energy levels are raised a little bit. You’re more dialed in on the game plan, trying to find any way that you can get an edge for Sunday, with scheme, with players, with your technique, with your eyes, what you can see on tape. It’s just a mindset.”
Through eight games, there have been a lot of “ifs.” Most of those “ifs” likely are focused on the defensive ineptitude and not on Burrow or the offense. Regardless, the franchise quarterback shouldered the blame, and even in the loss to the Washington Commanders, he believed he should have played better.
The Road Ahead
The fact remains that the Bengals have a fourth-place schedule and, realistically, they’ve beaten every team they should have…outside of the Patriots. In the press conference following the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Burrow said he still believes in the team:
“We got to win seven out of nine,” Burrow told reporters after the game. “That’s doable. It’s doable, so we’ll go from there.”
Looking ahead, the Bengals schedule is:
- vs Las Vegas Raiders
- at Baltimore Ravens (TNF)
- at Las Angeles Chargers
- BYE
- vs Pittsburgh Steelers
- at Dallas Cowboys (MNF)
- at Tennessee Titans
- vs Cleveland Browns (TNF)
- vs Denver Broncos
- at Pittsburgh Steelers
Are there seven wins left on that slate? Based on how poorly the defense has played and how the offense’s margin for error is razor-thin, probably not. However, betting against Burrow is not often the best strategy.
Five of the remaining games are against teams currently in the playoff picture (Steelers twice, Chargers, Ravens, Broncos). The Raiders, Browns, Cowboys, and Titans have struggled mightily thus far this year. Burrow posits that a 10-7 season gets the Bengals into the postseason. 9-8 might get the seven seed but 10 wins is the best bet.
Starting off with a win over the Raiders provides clarity. The month of November is going to decide whether or not this year’s Bengals team is a contender or if they will be firing up the mock draft machine. Win or lose, however, don’t expect the Bengals to do anything by the November 5 trade deadline.
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