{"id":190123,"date":"2024-09-17T12:00:42","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T16:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=190123"},"modified":"2024-09-16T23:04:35","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T03:04:35","slug":"the-cincinnati-bengals-have-a-glaring-weakness-heading-into-week-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/09\/17\/the-cincinnati-bengals-have-a-glaring-weakness-heading-into-week-3\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cincinnati Bengals Have a Glaring Weakness Heading Into Week 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Another game, another Cincinnati Bengals game decided by single digits against the Kansas City Chiefs. There were plenty of positives to take from the game from Joe Burrow<\/a>‘s wrist being good enough to uncork the long ball to Jermaine Burton<\/a> to Lou Anarumos still being a mad scientist. However, there’s a glaring weakness on the Bengals’ defense and it was both exposed and exacerbated in the loss.<\/p>\n

The defensive line, specifically the interior defensive line, is rough.<\/p>\n

The Cincinnati Bengals Glaring Weakness on the Defensive Line<\/h2>\n

In 2021, the Bengals had the fifth-best rushing defense. In 2022, the Bengals had the seventh-best rushing defense. Then, last year, Cincinnati was 26th. And now, through two games, the Bengals have the seventh-worst after allowing 319 on the ground against the Patriots and Chiefs.<\/p>\n

Losing D.J. Reader<\/a> to injury in 2023 and then to free agency was always known to be detrimental. However, for as great as Reader was and is, the Bengals’ issues are deep-seated.<\/p>\n

Given, it doesn’t help that 118 of Rhamondre Stevenson<\/a>‘s 120 yards in Week 1 was after contact.<\/p>\n

Against the Chiefs, the Bengals allowed Isiah Pacheco<\/a> to run for 90 yards off 19 carries before his unfortunate fibula injury. On too many plays, Pacheco was a few yards downfield before any Bengals defender touched him.<\/p>\n

Banged-up Rookies<\/h3>\n

Heading into the season, the Bengals went out and got a free agent defensive tackle and drafted two more.<\/p>\n

Then, the preseason injuries began to pile up.<\/p>\n

Third-round rookie out of Texas A&M McKinnley Jackson<\/a> suffered a lower-body injury early in Training Camp and was eventually placed on IR with a designation to return on August 29. He’s out for the first four games with what was described as a knee strain. He is likely going to be groomed into that Reader role as a middle-of-the-line run-stuffer who can garner multiple blockers to free up linebackers.<\/p>\n

Last Word on Sports<\/em>‘ Connor Deitrich<\/a> viewed McKinnley as someone who, “will still be a productive depth piece. But with the right development, he could become a starting defensive tackle with the ability to have a big impact.”<\/p>\n

Then, Kris Jenkins<\/a>, the rookie out of Michigan, began dealing with a hand injury. “The Mutant” was already flashing in the preseason. After a less-than-ideal first preseason game (he graded out at 29.0 by PFF), he bounced back in a massive way<\/a> in the second game (75.8). However, he has been dealing with a thumb injury and was inactive for the first two weeks of the season.<\/p>\n

According to our Rashad Tatum<\/a>, Jenkins is, \u201cOne of the best in the Draft at stopping the run. If you need a run defender, he\u2019s the guy.\u201d He has incredible strength on the inside and has a refined technique that will disrupt any and all runs up the middle. In a division with\u00a0Nick Chubb<\/a>,\u00a0Lamar Jackson<\/a>, and the host of running backs from the Baltimore Ravens, the Bengals absolutely had to improve upon its third-worst yards-per-attempt rush defense.<\/p>\n

More Visits to the Blue Tent<\/h3>\n
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Sheldon Rankins is now down for the Bengals who are already without BJ Hill.<\/p>\n

Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson can't get back on the field fast enough<\/p>\n

— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) September 15, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n