NFL Analysis
12/1/24
5 min read
Cincinnati Bengals Face Hard Questions After Disastrous 2024 Season
This was supposed to be a bounce-back year for the Cincinnati Bengals, but some glaring issues have them on the verge of their second straight season without a playoff appearance.
The Bengals lost their third straight game and fourth of five on Sunday, falling 44-38 in a shootout against the Pittsburgh Steelers. A 4-8 record won't get the job done, and now, per The Athletic's playoff projection model, the Bengals have just a three percent chance at making the playoffs.
It's a nightmare season that comes as a surprise. They missed the playoffs last season but were without Joe Burrow for seven of their 17 regular season games. That's not an excuse this year, with a healthy Burrow putting up impressive numbers all season.
Burrow isn't the problem, but there are other issues the Bengals haven't addressed that have kept them from reaching their full potential.
A one-dimensional Offense
Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins deserve credit for the effort they've displayed all season trying to carry the Bengals into the playoffs. All three have been a part of one of the best passing offenses in the NFL, helping the team stay in some thrilling shootouts throughout the year.
In fact, the season that Burrow is having through the air has never been seen before on a losing team.
However, the Bengals have been one of the most one-dimensional offenses in the league.
Cincinnati has dropped back to pass on 66.8 percent of its offensive plays this season, tied for the second-highest rate in the NFL. That's despite being average in efficiency when they do run the football, averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
Chase Brown has even established himself as a respectable starting running back in Cincinnati's backfield. He's amassed more than 900 total yards with eight total touchdowns, averaging 4.45 yards per carry.
However, the Bengals lack a true star at the position, and their offensive line isn't doing them any favors. According to ESPN, the Bengals ranked last in run block win rate ahead of Sunday's game.
The Bengals haven't trusted their backfield enough to give their offense any kind of balance. Some of that is likely Burrow's insistence on throwing his way out of trouble. Still, head coach Zac Taylor, as a former offensive coordinator, deserves some blame for the lopsided offensive identity.
An Abysmal Defense
Even if the run game hasn't been a factor, it's Cincinnati's defense that's kept it out of playoff contention.
Prior to giving up 44 points to the Steelers, the Bengals were still 28th in the league with 26.9 points allowed per game. Advanced metrics aren't much more optimistic, with the Bengals ranking 26th in defensive DVOA, according to FTN Fantasy.
Trey Hendrickson has been one of the long bright spots on the defense with 11.5 sacks this year. However, no one else on Cincinnati's defense has more than two sacks all season. They ranked 25th in pass rush win rate as a team heading into Week 13.
Players who were expected to take big steps forward in their development this year have gone backward instead. Cam Taylor-Britt is the most noteworthy name in that group after generating four interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 2023.
This season, Taylor-Britt has struggled to stop opposing receivers. According to PFF, he allowed a passer rating of just 67.6 in 2023. That passer rating has climbed up to 135.1 this year as Cincinnati's most-targeted defender, allowing 39 catches for 620 yards and nine touchdowns.
The good news for the Bengals is that Taylor-Britt looked a bit like his old self on Sunday. He likely got away with pass interference but took advantage on this play for an interception returned for a touchdown.
Startin' it off with some JUICE 🧃@CamTaylorBritt_ | #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/Rj9JSdUKgv
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 1, 2024
Still, this defense allowed 44 points on Sunday and could be looking at a new defensive coordinator if Lou Anarumo is fired this offseason.
Where do the Bengals go from here?
The Bengals have their work cut out for them this offseason.
While the team needs to figure out how to get Chase locked in with an extension, it also might have to figure out how to replace Higgins, who will be seeking a top-of-market contract in free agency. Other key defensive contributors, Mike Hilton and B.J. Hill, could also walk as free agents after this season.
There's also an argument for the Bengals moving on from head coach Zac Taylor. The Bengals haven't recreated the magic of their Super Bowl run just a few seasons ago, and slow starts early in the year continue to hamstring them in the playoff race.
This will be a good year for head coaching candidates, highlighted by Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. A chance at hiring Johnson could give the Bengals one of the most exciting offensive minds in the NFL to pair with Burrow and Chase.
A new coach, along with a potential top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, could help the Bengals start to turn things around this offseason in hopes of a playoff run in 2025.
