NFL

Analyzing the Cincinnati Bengals’ Best and Worst-Case Scenarios

Published

12 months ago

May 24, 2023

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The Cincinnati Bengals have been to two AFC title games and a Super Bowl over the past two seasons, so NFL predictions about the defending AFC North champions will trend toward the positive side in 2023. As Joe Burrow enters his fourth NFL campaign, the sky appears to be the limit in Cincinnati. But what are the Bengals’ best and worst-case scenarios next season?

Predicting the Best-Case Scenario for the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2023 NFL Season

If everything falls the right way for the Bengals in 2023, they could repeat the Chiefs’ accomplishments from last year: hoist the Lombardi Trophy while their quarterback wins the league MVP award.

Cincinnati will bring back almost every member of the starting offense that ranked fifth in efficiency a season ago, including the triumvirate of Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. The team’s only significant changes on the offensive side of the ball will come at tackle, where Orlando Brown Jr.’s presence will shift Jonah Williams to the right side, and at tight end, where Irv Smith Jr. will replace Hayden Hurst.

If Chase can stay fully healthy after a fractured hip and labral tear cost him five games, and Smith can deliver on the promise that made him a second-round pick in 2019, the Bengals’ passing offense could become even more explosive than they’ve been in recent seasons.

Whether Cincinnati’s rushing attack can keep up with its pass game is an open question. But a best-case scenario involves Joe Mixon — surprisingly still on the roster after being mentioned as a cut candidate — thriving behind Brown, who was an outstanding run blocker in Kansas City and Baltimore.

MORE: 2023 Offense Rankings — Where Do the Bengals Land?

On defense, the 2022 Bengals managed a league-average pressure rate but posted just 30 sacks, the fourth-lowest total in the NFL. Finishing up front is a clear goal for Cincinnati’s defensive line, which should be aided by first-round pick Myles Murphy.

In the back end, the Bengals are relying on two inexperienced players — 2022 first-rounder Dax Hill and free agent addition Nick Scott — to replace safeties Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell, whose veteran presence solidified the club’s secondary over the past three years. In a perfect world, Hill and Scott flourish under Lou Anarumo’s guidance and prevent Cincinnati’s defensive backfield from allowing chunk plays.

Of course, a best-case scenario wouldn’t be complete without a bit of luck. The Bengals have the second-best odds among AFC teams to make the playoffs next season, per DraftKings, but the conference is loaded, and the playoffs are often a crapshoot. It only takes one play — see Joseph Ossai’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at the end of the AFC Championship Game — to end a season.

Nothing is stopping the Bengals from securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC, grabbing home-field advantage and a first-round bye, and storming through the playoff picture en route to a Super Bowl win. And given Cincinnati’s dramatic turnaround since Burrow arrived in town, that scenario is closer to an expectation than a dream.

Ja'Marr Chase (1) makes a catch against Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (6) during the third quarter of the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. — Jan 29, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) makes a catch against Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (6) during the third quarter of the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Predicting the Worst-Case Scenario for the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2023 NFL Season

The worst-case scenario for the Bengals in 2023 includes an injury to Burrow, but that’s almost too easy. Nearly every team in the NFL would be in trouble if their starting quarterback went down, but the gap from Burrow to Trevor Siemian is wider than the starter-to-backup chasm for many other clubs.

It’s relatively difficult to imagine Cincinnati outright missing the playoffs, but it could happen. The AFC North is arguably the second-hardest division in the NFL. The Ravens and Browns are fully expected to compete for postseason slots, while the Steelers are fringe contenders who could fight for a Wild Card berth.

There is an outcome where the AFC North is even stronger than expected, forcing the Bengals to play six challenging games within the division. If Cincinnati struggles inside the division and drops a few other unexpected contests along the way, a scenario exists where they could fail to make the postseason.

Given how dominant the Bengals’ offense has been, a step back would likely include the team’s defense failing to launch. Hill and Scott prove incapable of replacing Bates and Bell. Chidobe Awuzie is slow to recover from his ACL injury, forcing second-round rookie D.J. Turner into the starting lineup. Cincinnati can’t get enough pressure up front, and their young secondary gets repeatedly cooked in the back end.

MORE: Cincinnati Bengals 2023 Schedule

Aside from a defensive catastrophe that results in the Bengals failing to make the playoffs, their worst-case scenario is probably a one-and-done postseason run. In that case, Cincinnati would have missed one of its best opportunities at a Super Bowl win by failing to deliver during Burrow’s rookie contract.

Things will get more difficult for the Bengals in the near future. Burrow will likely be extended soon — once his cap charges begin to increase, Cincinnati won’t have the financial flexibility to add veteran contributors as they have in each of the last four offseasons. Higgins is a free agent after 2023. Even if the Bengals extend him or deploy the franchise tag, he’ll never be as affordable as he is now, either.

The Bengals could also lose one or both of their coordinators next year. OC Brian Callahan interviewed with the Cardinals and Colts (twice) and was considered a potential candidate for the Broncos, while Anarumo conducted two interviews with Arizona. Cincinnati could start to experience a brain drain if either coordinator leaves in 2024.

Burrow has said that the Bengals’ Super Bowl window is his “whole career,” and in many ways, he’s correct. Cincinnati should regularly be in the championship conversation for as long as Burrow remains in stripes.

But their path to contention and ability to build one of the NFL’s best rosters will never be as uncomplicated as it is right now. If the Bengals fulfill one of their worst-case scenarios and fail to make it out of the first round of the playoffs, they’ll be starting at a much more challenging competitive landscape heading into next season.

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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2024

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.