The Bengals suffered from a mass amount of injuries in 2023. In 2024, with Joe Burrow back in the saddle, can they make another run at a Lombardi.

The Cincinnati Bengals were experiencing a rejuvenation of sorts between 2022 and 2023. With two AFC Championship appearances consecutively with two AFC North crowns, things seemed to be on the way up. One of those AFCCG appearances resulted in a win in Arrowhead, sending the Bengals to the Super Bowl, where they fell short to the Rams. The next year was a hard fought loss in the same stadium.

Heading into 2024, the Bengals felt like title contenders. However, in last year’s training camp, Joe Burrow suffered a leg injury that clearly hindered him early on in the regular season. Then, in early November, he went down for the year. On top of losing their franchise QB down the stretch, they lost Tee Higgins for 5 games. Ja’Marr Chase was all alone with Jake Browning under Center, who actually did fill in honorably. Ultimately, though, the Bengals missed the postseason and finished in last place in the AFC North, a spot much too familiar for Cincy prior to this new era.

Now, heading into 2024, the question is will we see 2022-2023 Joe Burrow? If we do, Cincinnati is right back in the mix. The issue is at age 27, Burrow has now suffered at least four legitimate injuries in his young NFL career. With Tee Higgins following the trend of young stud wideouts making lucrative contract demands or threatening departure, this year could very well be make or break for the Bengals. For a team that recently seemed to have a large window, a losing year could shrink it mightily.

On offense, we already mentioned the pass catching duo of Chase and Higgins. Running Back Joe Mixon is gone to Houston, and is replaced by Zack Moss, with Chase Brown expected to play a role as well. The Offensive Line adds 6’8″, 359 pound monster Trent Brown, with Rookie Jermaine Burton joining the pass catching corps from Alabama. Burton’s former UGA teammate Amarius Mims also joins Cincy’s O Line as their first round selection.

Defensively, the front seven remains fairly the same. Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson anchor the DL, which lost DJ Reader to Detroit, but added Sheldon Rankins on the interior. Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt remain in the middle at LB, and the questions lie within the secondary. Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner are on the outside, seemingly the weakest spot in the defense. They did add Geno Stone from Baltimore, who had a great 2023.

Schedule

The Bengals play nine games against playoff opponents from 2023, including six against division rivals Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Baltimore. 4 of these are at home.

Vs Patriots- W

@ Chiefs- L

Vs Commanders- W

@ Panthers- W

Vs Ravens- W

@ Giants- W

@ Browns- L

Vs Eagles- L

Vs Raiders- W

@ Ravens- L

@ Chargers- W

Vs Steelers- W

@ Cowboys- W

@ Titans- L

Vs Browns- W

Vs Broncos- W

@ Steelers- W

Final Record: 12-5 (2ndin AFC North)

Key Additions:

DT Sheldon Rankins, Safety Geno Stone, WR Jermaine Burton, RB Zack Moss, OT Amarius Mims

2023 Metrics

Offense

11th DVOA

15th PFF Grade

12th EPA/Play

16th Points

12th Passing EPA

16th Rushing EPA

27th Pass Block Win Rate

9th Run Block Win Rate

Defense

23rd DVOA

26th PFF Grade

28th EPA/Play

21st Points

25th Passing EPA

4th Rushing EPA

23rd Pass Rush Win Rate

26th Run Stop Win Rate