A preview of what to watch for in week one as the Cincinnati Bengals are opening their season with a visit from the New England Patriots.
The Cincinnati Bengals are going through it. Injuries popping up left and right, and still no clear word on if Ja’Marr is going to play. There is a very good chance they play without Chase and Higgins in week one and if that happens here are a few things they can do to secure the win even without their top two weapons.
Establish the Run
Something Cincinnati has seemed reluctant to do in past years is run the football, and here they are in a position where it may be their best option. No Chase and no Higgins mean way less pressure on the defense, allowing the defense to pin their ears back and attack the quarterback. A good way to prevent the New England defense from wrecking the game is going to be to get Zack Moss and Chase Brown going on the ground.
If the Bengals can get their backs going they are going to make New England respect the run and give Joe Burrow more time to read the defense and find whatever receivers he has available. Establishing the run leads us to our next point of emphasis.
Protect Burrow
Cincinnati invested in a new offensive tackle in this year’s draft Amarius Mims. Although he’s out with a pectoral injury he showed during training camp he can be a massive addition to this room… literally. They also added veteran Trent Brown. This offensive line is the most experienced line Burrow has had in his career. If they can get the ground game going, the offensive line should benefit from less pressure by the defense.
Urgency on defense
This defense has a lot to prove in 2024 after a disappointing season in 2023. They have a favorable match-up in the opening game against New England.
The additions they made in the offseason should have improved the defense in a major way. Jacoby Brissett is set to start for the Patriots. Brissett is a serviceable quarterback, but if the Bengals can put pressure on him and make him uncomfortable they should be able to create some turnovers and give the offense the ball in a favorable field position.
Final thoughts
Cincinnati should win this game. With or without Chase and Higgins. They have the better team all around and have the home crowd behind them. If they can do the three things listed above they should walk away 1-0 on their way to Arrowhead to face the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
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