2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 9-8

It was a rocky start for the Cincinnati Bengals with back-to-back losses to begin the season but rebounded by winning five of the next six. The Bengals were 5-3 before losing three in a row, and losing Joe Burrow in the process. He would go onto miss the final seven games of the season and this led to the Bengals missing out on the postseason.

2024 Cincinnati Bengals Season Preview

Offense

Key Additions: OT Trent Brown, OT Amarius Mims, RB Zack Moss, TE Mike Gesicki

Key Losses: RB Joe Mixon, WR Tyler Boyd, TE Irv Smith, OT Jonah Williams

The offense for the Bengals took a major hit when Joe Burrow went down with a calf injury. It’s no surprise that when a team loses its starting quarterback, especially one the caliber of Burrow, it impacts the entire season. The Bengals faltered down the stretch and missed out on the postseason.

Burrow is back, Jamar Chase is back, Tee Higgins is back. This means the Bengals have Super Bowl aspirations once again. Cincinnati lost Tyler Boyd in free agency but brought in rookie Jermaine Burton in the third round of the NFL Draft. Cincy also improved the tight end position with Mike Gesicki coming over.

There was also some changes in the backfield. The Bengals decided to let Joe Mixon walk in free agency but were impressed with what Zack Moss did as the backup in Indianapolis last season. He got a chance to show case himself while Jonathan Taylor was out and created great value. Moss, along with rookie Chase Brown, will be the duo in the backfield.

The Bengals added options in the draft that will play right away. Amarius Mims is at the top of that list as the 18th overall pick in the draft. Mims has a chance to compete with Trent Brown for the tackle position opposite Orlando Brown Jr. Either way, Mims is a highly-touted prospect that will improve the offensive line. The Bengals know that they must protect Burrow, not just for this year but for years to come.

Defense

Key Additions: DT Sheldon Rankins, S Geno Stone, S Vonn Bell, NT McKinnley Jackson

Key Losses: DT DJ Reader, CB Chidobe Awuzie, S Nick Scott

The Bengals have drafted well over the years and this has led to many players demanding new contracts around the same time. Trey Hendrickson was also on this list. He signed a four-year deal worth $60 million in 2021 and has been looking for an extension. Hendrickson has made it clear that he wants to remain in Cincy but if he does not, the Bengals have other options.

Along the defensive line, Cincinnati added McKinnley Jackson and Kris Jenkins. This was important in replacing DJ Reader and his production. On the edge, Sam Hubbard brings great experience as a player who can get to the quarterback. Myles Murphy was a first-round pick last year and one that the Bengals feel good about.

In the secondary, the loss of Jessie Bates brought problems last season. This led to many additions this offseason. Geno Stone emerged for the Baltimore Ravens last season while Vonn Bell will look to rejuvenate his career.

Schedule

Week 1: vs. New England Patriots

Week 2: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 3: vs. Washington Commanders – Monday Night Football

Week 4: at Carolina Panthers

Week 5: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week 6: at New York Giants – Sunday Night Football

Week 7: at Cleveland Browns

Week 8: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 9: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Week 10: at Baltimore Ravens – Thursday Night Football

Week 11: at Los Angeles Chargers

Week 12: BYE WEEK

Week 13: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 14: at Dallas Cowboys – Monday Night Football

Week 15: at Tennessee Titans

Week 16: vs. Cleveland Browns – Thursday Night Football

Week 17: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 18: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Record Prediction: 11-6