The season is approaching. The editorial staff of DNA of Sports invites you to take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the Cincinnati Bengals 2023. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
Going in two years from the worst team in the league to the surprise guest of the Super Bowl, Cincinnati had to confirm its reconstruction and its claims during the 2022 campaign to avoid being labeled as a one year wonder. Challenge met, with a new participation in the AFC conference final. Following a mixed start to the season, the Ohio Tigers were able to raise their heads, take their division, and did not experience defeat from Halloween before finally falling to the unavoidable Chiefs.
So the basics are there. However, despite the presence of premium players everywhere in the workforce, it is not completely stabilized and several new recruits will have to quickly prove themselves if the Bengals want to maintain their new status as title contenders.
Last season: 12 wins – 4 losses, 1st in the AFC North, eliminated in the AFC conference final
Movements in the off-season
Notable arrivals: Orlando Brown (LT, Chiefs), Irv Smith Jr (TE, Vikings), Sidney Jones (CB, Raiders), Nick Scott (S, Rams), Trevor Siemian (QB, Bears), Cody Ford (OG, Cardinals )
Re-signings: Germaine Pratt (LB), Drew Sample (TE), Trent Taylor (WR), Trayveon Williams (RB), Max Scharping (OG)
Draft: Myles Murphy (DE), DJ Turner (CB), Jordan Battle (S), Charlie Jones (WR), Chase Brown (RB), Andrei Iosivas (WR), Brad Robbins (P), DJ Ivey (CB)
Notable losses: Brandon Allen (QB), Samaje Perine (RB), Hayden Hurst (TE), Eli Apple (CB), Jessie Bates (FS), Vonn Bell (SS), Tre Flowers (DB)
The goal of protecting Joe Burrow was once again a priority for the franchise this offseason despite massive recruiting last year. She therefore offered herself one of the most coveted free agents in the league in the person of Orlando Brown to cover the blind side of the offensive line. A great coup which has the added advantage of weakening Kansas City in passing.
Then, with the departure of the two titular safeties and the number 2 cornerback, it was necessary to recruit to fill the defensive rear guard. The Tigers have therefore been active in this sector on the free market and in the draft, betting on a rapid emergence of young people to fill the gaps and effectively protect the air route.
Finally, efforts focused on making up for a few forward starts (Irv Smith to replace Hayden Hurst), bringing competition (Chase Brown and Brad Robbins), and strengthening an already effective rotation on the defensive line (selection of Myles Murphy)
The strong points)
Cincinnati boasts one of the best air offenses in the league. In a few years, the franchise has been able to recruit the best in the field through the draft. Joe Burrow is a quarterback franchise who is already part of the elite and is a serious candidate for the title of best player in the league. And with quality wingers in Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, he powers an offensive squad that ranked 7th in points scored, 5th in passing yards, 2nd in touchdowns last year. pass and 3rd in rating.
On the other side of the leather, the Bengals offer a top-notch defensive line. Inside DJ Reader is a real monster, well supported by the precious BJ Hill. On the outside Trey Hendrickson is quite simply one of the NFL’s best sackers over the past three seasons, and he can rely on Sam Hubbard and newcomer Myles Murphy to keep the pressure on the opposition’s pocket.
On the second curtain, the club’s patience seems to be paying off. Germaine Pratt was re-signed and Logan Wilson extended. Without being All-Pro, the two linebackers complete a defensive front that does not lack efficiency, ranking 4th in the league against the run.
In special teams, Evan McPherson had moments of doubt, but overall continues to prove that he is one of the good young recruits of the club who was well worth a round of draft.
Finally, staff coaching has results that speak for themselves. Zac Taylor has been challenged over his early years when he was managing the post Marvin Lewis transition. A weak pedigree and abysmal balance sheets when he took orders earned him the enmity of some of the fans. Yet the head coach of the tigers has shown that he is capable of judicious adjustments to bring his club to the top. By his side, defensive coordinator Lou Anamuro is so successful that he attracts the envy of other NFL teams. His clever and intricate schemes have molded a defense that bends but does not break. Last year, his squad only allowed a rating of 80.1 to opposing passers, the best score in the league.
The weak spots)
Aware of its chronic and fatal weakness on the offensive line, Cincinnati decided last year to recruit en masse to improve its blockers. Unfortunately, Jonah Williams (knee), Alex Cappa (ankle), and La’el Collins (knee) ended the 2022 campaign in the infirmary, again leaving the Tiger attack heavily exposed. The franchise has therefore returned to the position this year, offering the quadruple pro bowler Orlando Brown. However, we can only notice that in five years of career the tackle is already in his third franchise while he has previously played in two serious contenders, Baltimore and Kansas City, who did not retain him. The squad will therefore have to confirm that the investments made can bear fruit, and allow the team to avoid falling at critical times.
Last year the ground game was not of much help for the tiger attack. Ranked 29th in yards and 29th in yards per carry, running has only too rarely been a factor in games. And even with the loss of Samaje Perine, Cincinnati has not invested too much to raise the bar by getting Chase Brown in the 5th round of the draft. We can therefore think that if Joe Mixon does not manage to bounce back the rookie will have his chance, but the position is far from being a force until proven otherwise.
If Minnesota has set up a trade with Detroit to recover TJ Hockenson, it is because Irv Smith spends more time in the infirmary than on the ground. After the relative failure of Hayden Hurst last season, Cincinnati is trying, but we understand that the position is not privileged compared to the squad of wide receivers available to the club. Especially since Drew Sample was renewed, he who is more of a tight end blocker than anything else. The aerial game will therefore mainly go through the wings once again.
The X Factor: Air Defense
Of course the signings on the offensive line have not (yet) given the expected results, which leaves a question mark as to the reinforcement of the unit. Still, the talent on paper is there, and the club seem confident that the investments will pay off.
But with the departures of Jessie Bates, Von Bell, Eli Apple and Tre Flowers, the Bengals are stepping completely into the unknown when it comes to their pass defense. Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton remain the only confirmed players in the squad. Drafted in the first round last year, Daxton Hill had a year to learn before taking up one of the safety posts but he has played little so far. Cam Taylor-Britt has yet to earn her job. Sidney Jones and Nick Scott will likely be add-on additions, and DJ Turner and Jordan Battle are to check out the pro level. To see how this new workforce will succeed in developing.
Player to watch: Joe Mixon (RB)
In 2022, Joe Mixon produced one of his worst career seasons, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. While we waited for a return to form thanks to improvements to the offensive line, the runner had only one high level game, against the Panthers, recording 153 yards and 4 touchdowns (plus a touchdown at the reception). Of the other 13 games he played he only ran for 661 yards and 3 touchdowns. A meager record for a runner considered until recently as one of the best ball carriers in the AFC.
At 26, and while the club will have to make drastic choices to manage its payroll, Mixon had to concede a reduction of 4 million dollars on his salary to stay in Cincinnati. 2023 will therefore be a pivotal year for him: make or break. Either he returns to his best level and helps rebalance the Bengals’ offense, or the franchise will look for a solution elsewhere.
2023 Cincinnati Bengals schedule
@Browns, Ravens, Rams, @Titans, @Cardinals, Seahawks, bye, @49ers, Bills, Texans, @Ravens, Steelers, @Jaguars, Colts, Vikings, @Steelers, @Chiefs, Browns
In a division that is often difficult to maneuver where all teams can objectively claim a place in the playoffs, Cincinnati will also have to rub shoulders with a good number of teams that represent the best level in the NFL. To grab a place in January, it will be necessary to get out of confrontations with Seattle, San Francisco, Buffalo, Minnesota and the inevitable defending champion, Kansas City. Not easy…
The audio preview
In summary
The mission of the Bengals is clear: we must win, and win now. The team and the workforce are ready to win this title which has eluded the franchise for six decades. For the moment.
Because the clock is ticking. From next year, the margin will be reduced. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase will get huge (deserved) contracts that could well leave a greatly reduced financial margin, pushing some executives to leave (notably Tee Higgins) and making it more difficult to recruit talent. In addition, Lou Anarumo is a coveted technician whose coast is flying and who could also get a nice promotion elsewhere.
Zac Taylor’s men must therefore be aware of this: this year, it will be the Super Bowl or failure.
