Date: Monday January 13, 2025
Writer: Anthony Iles
The Bengals lost to the Steelers in Week 13 after the BYE Week. After that, they did what fans expected and won 5 straight games to end the season. They beat the Cowboys in Dallas 27 – 20. They beat the Titans 37 – 27 in Tennessee. They beat the Browns 24 – 6 at home. They beat the Broncos in OT at home 30 – 24. They beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh 19 – 17 to end the regular season.
The Bengals defense started to play better to end the season. The first half of the season was a roller coaster. Burrow and the offense kept the team afloat. Finally, all phases of the team were capable of complementing one another. The Bengals came up one win short of making the playoffs. They needed to beat the Steelers, the Jets to beat the Dolphins. Additionally, the Chiefs had to beat the Broncos for the Bengals to get in with their 9-8 record. The Bengals beat the Steelers, Jets beat the Dolphins yet, the Chiefs rested all their starters vs the Broncos. The Broncos beat the Chiefs 38 – 0. This result prevented the Bengals from getting into the playoffs. It allowed the Broncos to keep the last spot in the AFC playoffs.
The Bengals and Joe Burrow all said they put themselves in this position. They can’t continue to start a season slow like they have the last 3 years. This season they started 1 – 4. Out of the 8 losses this season 7 of them were 1 score games. If they turn 3 of those games into wins they would have a 12 – 5 record. I think this season was a learning lesson of what they will not allow happen anymore. I predict next season they come out with a different mindset. They win the early games and have a 12 win season. This will let them win the AFC North and give them a chance for home field advantage for the playoffs. Then they will get back to the AFC Championship game and win to get back to the Super Bowl. This time Bengals win it all!!
This season Joe Burrow had 4,918 passing yards, 43 TDs (league leader) & 9 INTs with a 108.5 QBR. Joe won the passing award; Ja’Marr Chase became the 6th player to win the triple crown for a WR. He led the league with 1,708 yards, 127 receptions, and 17 TDs. Trey Hendrickson led the league in sacks with 17.5 sacks.
As the season ended Head Coach Zac Taylor fires Defensive Head Coach Lou Anarumo along with some other defensive assistants. Lou had a good run and is a good defensive coach. The past 2 seasons though, have been down years, especially this year. It’s time for the defense to have a new leader. This new leader should guide them to play at a high level throughout the entire season. With a consistent defense the Bengals can win the Super Bowl. We will found out in the next few weeks who they hire.
Bengals will need to extend Trey Hendrickson as he will be on the last year of his contract. They will work on getting Ja’Marr Chase signed to a long-term contract. They will also work to sign Tee Higgins to a long-term contract. Ja’Marr has 1 year left on his rookie deal. Tee is now a free agent. Both players now have the same agent. Tee fired his agent near the end of the season. He hired the agent Chase uses. There have been discussions behind the scenes with Burrow, Chase, and Higgins. All three want to stay together long term with the Bengals. The Bengals will add depth to the offensive line through free agency. They will draft solid players to round out the team.
Next season will be a big season for Coach Zac Taylor and the Bengals. You can see that the Bengals have every opportunity to win a Super Bowl with Burrow. The time is now. Let’s go get that Super Bowl!!!
Who Dey!!!!