The Cincinnati Bengals live via a season of heartbreaks. With 4 losses already on the books, every one a nail-biter, they’ve earned the title of the NFL’s unluckiest crew.
Their Week 5 conflict towards the Ravens was simply one other chapter on this story of near-misses, leaving followers questioning what may have been.
However don’t depend them out simply but. ESPN’s Mike Greenberg isn’t able to slam the door on the Bengals’ playoff hopes.
On a latest ESPN Radio section, he shared his take:
“Look Cleveland is horrible, the Steelers will not be actually that good, the Ravens are the category of that division however the Bengals completely had them beat yesterday. Even at 1-4, I’m not prepared to put in writing off Cincinnati.”
“Even at 1-4, I’m not prepared to put in writing off Cincinnati.”@Espngreeny says the shut losses to high AFC contenders make him assume the Bengals can nonetheless make a playoff run 🐅 pic.twitter.com/hVYHwjpfMW
— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) October 9, 2024
Greenberg sees a glimmer of hope of their remaining schedule, suggesting they may nonetheless emerge from the AFC North with a good report.
And he’s not mistaken to carry onto that hope. Joe Burrow confirmed flashes of brilliance towards the Ravens, with the Bengals holding a 10-point lead three separate occasions within the second half. However someway, victory slipped via their fingers as soon as once more.
The actual thorn in Cincinnati’s facet? Their protection. As Greenberg suggests, “Their protection is so unhealthy.”
They’re languishing at thirtieth in factors allowed per drive and second-worst in defensive success charge, in accordance with ESPN Analysis.
They’re giving up 29 factors a recreation, barely edging out the Panthers’ 33.
However it’s their third-down and red-zone protection that’s actually killing them. Within the final three video games, opponents have been changing these essential alternatives into touchdowns at an alarming 83.3% charge.
The Bengals aren’t simply preventing for a playoff spot anymore; they’re battling to reclaim their identification as a crew.
They want wins, they usually want them quick.
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