Last Updated: November 14, 2023, 03:30 IST
CINCINNATI: There’s nothing uncommon concerning the Cincinnati Bengals being 5-4 at this level of the season, however they might look again on their early struggles and Sunday’s loss to visiting Houston as an excessive amount of to beat this yr.
Cincinnati was 5-4 every of the previous two years and rallied every time to win the AFC North and attain the convention title sport. This yr, the AFC North could also be harder than ever — the Bengals are in final place — and Cincinnati’s remaining schedule contains rematches with Baltimore and Cleveland and two video games towards Pittsburgh.
In different phrases, the Bengals actually may have used a win towards rookie sensation C.J. Stroud and the Texans. Last yr, they gained their remaining 10 video games to assert the division title, and the same run over the remaining eight video games this yr can be massively spectacular.
The first step: touring to face the primary-place Ravens on Thursday night time. Baltimore (7-3) is reeling after blowing a 31-17 fourth-quarter lead and dropping at dwelling to Cleveland.
The Bengals have their very own missed alternatives to lament after Stroud led the Texans to a final-second area objective and a 30-27 victory. It won’t be so painful if not for Cincinnati’s 1-3 begin to the season whereas quarterback Joe Burrow was restricted by a calf damage. The Bengals responded with 4 straight wins, however the Ravens, Browns (6-3) and Steelers (6-3) have been extra constant.
Burrow stated the Bengals must put this loss — he known as it one of the vital irritating of his profession — behind them quick.
“We have to,” Burrow stated. “So, we have to get our bodies right. That’s the toughest part of these Thursday night games. It starts now.”
The Bengals squandered a number of offensive possibilities towards Houston. The Texans’ protection, top-of-the-line within the league at stopping the run, held Cincinnati to 66 dashing yards, 20 of them on a single scramble by Burrow, who additionally was sacked 4 instances.
It’s onerous to say a quarterback who threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns had an off day, however Burrow wasted alternatives to place the Bengals forward. He threw interceptions — one in the long run zone — on consecutive possessions within the fourth quarter.
On 5 straight drives stretching from late within the first quarter to the center of the third, Burrow couldn’t transfer the chains and the Bengals punted. Four of them have been three-and-outs.
WHAT’S WORKING
The Burrow-to-Ja’Marr Chase connection is undamaged, regardless of Chase lacking some apply final week with a sore again. The two connected for a ravishing 64-yard landing within the third quarter that minimize Houston’s result in 20-17.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
The protection allowed too many explosive performs. The Texans had 9 performs of 20 yards or extra — together with two on the ultimate drive. Stroud handed for 356 yards, Noah Brown had 172 receiving yards, and Devin Singletary rushed for 150 yards and a landing.
STOCK UP
Second-year cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt has 4 interceptions in 5 video games. He picked off Stroud within the fourth quarter Sunday and was additionally among the many Bengals’ leaders with 9 tackles.
STOCK DOWN
Joe Mixon rushed for 46 yards on 11 carries, persevering with a irritating season for him and the Cincinnati offensive line. His season excessive was 87 yards in a win at San Francisco on Oct. 29.
INJURIES
Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson suffered a knee damage when Brown fell into him. There was no replace Monday. The crew’s different beginning edge rusher, Sam Hubbard, didn’t play due to an ankle damage. WR Tee Higgins missed the sport with a bothersome hamstring.
KEY NUMBER
544 — Total yards by the Texans, probably the most allowed by Cincinnati this season.
NEXT STEPS
After enjoying the Ravens Thursday, Cincinnati hosts the Steelers on Nov. 26.
“I think Thursday’s game was already massive,” middle Ted Karras stated. “But we don’t want to fall back to .500, playing arguably the top team in the conference. Thursday night. Prime time.”
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
