{"id":124706,"date":"2021-11-15T15:56:35","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T20:56:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=124706"},"modified":"2021-11-15T16:06:23","modified_gmt":"2021-11-15T21:06:23","slug":"cincinnati-bengals-at-the-bye-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/11\/15\/cincinnati-bengals-at-the-bye-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly\/","title":{"rendered":"Cincinnati Bengals at the Bye: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a hot 5-2 start, the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> looked to be among the class of the AFC and in position for a playoff spot. Two weeks later, they are limping into the bye week 5-4 after disappointing losses against the New York Jets<\/a> and the Cleveland Browns<\/a>. So far this season has gone much better than a lot of pundits predicted for the team coming into 2021. At this midpoint of the season, let’s look at the Bengals good, bad, and ugly<\/p>\n

At the Bye: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly for the Cincinnati Bengals<\/h2>\n

The Good<\/h3>\n

Ja’Marr Chase Historic Rookie Campaign<\/h3>\n

Ja’Marr Chase<\/a> has been everything Bengals fans hoped for and more. The current front-runner for Rookie of the Year has posted 835 yards and seven touchdowns through nine games. This pacing has him to best the rookie yardage record set by former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson last year. He has provided the deep threat the Bengals so desperately needed. He is playing at an elite level for a wide receiver, rookie or not. Look for him to continue his dominance after the bye. Historically, rookie wide receivers are far better in the second half of the year compared to the first<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Free Agency Signings Panning Out<\/h3>\n

Hopefully, the Bengals learned that it can pay to spend in free agency. Trey Hendrickson<\/a> and Chidobe Awuzie<\/a>, the team\u2019s biggest ticket signings this year, have been the best Bengals among their position groups this year. Hendrickson leads the team with eight and a half sacks and 28 pressures. Per PFF<\/span><\/a> he is top 10 among all pass rushers in sacks, pressures, hurries, and pass rush win percentage. Elsewhere on the defensive line, 2020’s big-ticket signing DJ Reader has been one of the best interior defenders in the game, ranking fourth overall at the position with an 85.8 grade.<\/span>
\nAwuzie has easily been the best cornerback on the team this year. According to PFF, he is top 10 at the position.<\/p>\n

On the offensive side of the ball, Quinton Spain has been an anchor at left guard. His 75.0 PFF grade puts him at a tie for 11th at the position. Riley Reiff has been unspectacular but has provided stability at a position that was a turnstile for the team the last couple of seasons.<\/p>\n

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Joe Burrow<\/h3>\n

Coming off of the season-ending injury last year, there was a lot of speculation on how long it would take Joe Burrow<\/a> to get comfortable this season and produce like the QB everyone saw flash in his rookie year. Turns out the answer was not long. Through nine games Burrow ranks very favorably in most passing categories<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n