After a brutal loss against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Cincinnati Bengals season is potentially over. During the Sunday night game against the Chargers, the Bengals were down by twenty-four at half-time and made a solid comeback attempt.
Cincinnati did a solid job in making adjustments in the offense and defense to make the comeback. There was a change in defensive schemes to pressure the run game for the Bengals’ defense. Along with the adjustments made in defense, the team also did a solid job in pressuring the secondary at crucial moments. Joe Burrow was also an elite quarterback during the second half of the game.
While the effort was there, the Cincinnati Bengals season might end with another brutal loss in a season of disappointment.
Cincinnati Bengals Season Was Nearly Saved
During the early parts of the game, the Bengals were down early, with touchdown drives by Justin Herbert. The Chargers’ offensive pass game easily dissected the Bengals’ secondary and a strong running game. Los Angeles did a solid job against the Bengals’ run defense with 155 rushing yards for the night. Even with the strong run game, the Bengals’ offense did a solid job to make it a game against the Chargers’ defense.
In a must-win game on Sunday night, the Cincinnati Bengals season was on life support being 4-6 before the game. With the Bengals in desperation mode, the team started slowly by being down by 24 in the first half. After a slow start in the game, Burrow had a strong second half against the Chargers with three touchdowns, to tie the game.
Cincinnati Bengals Season Costly Flaws Could Doom Them
The Bengals’ defense also did solid work with a turnover against the Chargers and several three-and-outs against the offense. Cincinnati’s defense was highly motivated with their defensive captains visually frustrated on the broadcast. Even with the renewed excitement, the Bengals lost a winnable game in a frustrating season. After tiring itself out, the Bengals’ defense was easily decimated by the Chargers’ offensive run game.
There were chances that the Bengals could have taken the lead but two missed kicks by Evan McPherson might have been costly. McPherson has been erratic this season with his kicking potentially costing them the game. Even with the easy distance, the Bengals kicker missed two crucial kicks that could have given the Bengals a lead. While the Cincinnati Bengals season being a disappointment is not entirely on McPherson, it has cost them games.
Final Thoughts
Even with the comeback attempt, the Cincinnati Bengals season might be over due to the rest of their difficult schedule. The Bengals have a solid offense, which could win them games as they nearly won their Sunday night game. Los Angeles has a flawed defense, and it was exploited during the attempted comeback. During the second half, the Bengals did a solid job in adjusting to the Chargers’ defense by tying the game and having a strong game from Burrow.
Even with the offensive comeback, the Bengals’ flaws all season, came back to bite them hard. Cincinnati’s defense was ranked low this season and for good reasons, with a weak secondary. There are also the flaws of special teams with McPherson missing crucial kicks, in tonight’s game. These flaws for the team could make the road to the playoffs nearly impossible for the Bengals due to their difficult schedule. Cincinnati after this game would be in a bye week but will face the Steelers, in a difficult match-up.
Along with the Steelers twice, are the tough opponents in the Broncos and their playoff aspirations. With facing solid defenses, in the next month, the Bengals season might be over in 2024. Even with a strong comeback attempt, the season could be over for Cincinnati, with their flaws costing them another important game.
