CINCINNATI — I say it most years, but this is the most excited I’ve been for Bengals football. And justifiably so, with the storylines and headlines I have my eyes on heading into this season.
Storylines/Headlines Going into the Season
1. Will Joe Burrow live up to/exceed the hype? – Ever since the Bengals clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft on December 22, 2019, Joe Burrow has been the first thing every Bengals fan has thought about when it comes to the team. The months leading up to the draft with the combine were filled with exciting anticipation and everything Burrow said then and has said ever since he was drafted was and has continued to be scrutinized. That’s what throwing for 60 touchdown passes and nearly 6,000 yards while winning a national championship will create for you.
What has me thinking that Burrow will not only live up to the hype but exceed it is, of course, his play on the field but also his personality. This is the first time the Bengals have entered a season with a No. 1 overall quarterback since Carson Palmer. Palmer had talent, but he didn’t have a personality. Burrow does, and he’s ready for the challenge of quarterbacking the Bengals. He’s been doubted before, and he’s come through. He’s got the right mindset, he’s a great competitor and that’s why he’ll live up to and exceed the hype.
2. How much of an impact will the free agent signings have? – Hopefully a huge impact. I firmly believe that Mike Brown and the front office knew they had to spend some money this offseason because of Joe Burrow’s arrival. Why not add to the fans’ excitement? What a concept. The impact will mainly be felt on defense, particularly on the line and in the secondary. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo now has quality players to work with, adding to an already somewhat strong core of Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, Sam Hubbard, Shawn Williams and William Jackson III.
3. How improved will the O-Line be? – This group will determine the success the Bengals have on offense. Jonah Williams will finally get the chance to show why he was worthy of a first-round draft pick last year, and the addition of Xavier Su’a-Filo at right guard should also help. The biggest question is at right tackle, where the inconsistent Bobby Hart is currently slated to start the season opener Sunday. A beefed-up Michael Jordan at left guard and the sturdy Trey Hopkins at center round out the group.
4. Can A.J. Green stay healthy? If so, how productive does he have to be to warrant an extension? – This obviously is a critical question going into the season, but not the most critical in my eyes. There’s no doubt how great Green is when healthy and at the top of his game, but that hasn’t been the case in a long time. Given his injuries the last two years, I would understand and be okay with him not getting a contract extension. But if he stays healthy and goes out and posts any season reminiscent of anything like 2013 or 2015, then it would be wise to give Green an extension and keep a valuable weapon for Burrow for years to come.
5. How much pressure is on Zac Taylor and what must he do/prove to instill confidence that he is the coach of the future? – While last year was anything but a successful first year for Zac Taylor, two things emerged that had me encouraged. One was the fact that Taylor coaches for 60 minutes, making adjustments as the game progresses. He also coaches with passion, as evidenced by his fiery demeanor at the end of the Bills game in week three. Two, he’s gotten the players to buy in. As bad as the Bengals were last year, one thing we’d always here about was how united the longer room was. Those are two critical developments from last year that, now, with a more quality team on paper heading into this year has Taylor and the team set up for better success. If the Bengals improve by 4-5 wins, that’e enough for Taylor to still have the support of the front office and the fanbase.
6. Impact of COVID-19 on the Bengals? – COVID-19 will impact every team in the NFL. But these are professional football players. Once it’s time to play, that’s the only thing that matters. Burrow knows that, and I think it will rub off on the entire team. Not having fans or fans at a reduced capacity will be different, but it all comes down to the players still playing like it’s Super Bowl Sunday week in and week out.
Individual Awards
Offensive MVP: Joe Mixon – The heart and soul of the team. I was ecstatic when he was awarded his contract extension. If the offensive line plays this season like they did in the second half of 2019, Mixon could have a very special season. When Mixon is racking up rushing yardage, the Bengals are better as a team.
Defensive MVP: Sam Hubbard – I think Hubbard could have himself a huge season. He’s shown flashes of his ability to get to the quarterback, so if he can do that on a consistent basis and be a factor in stopping the run he could post some eye-popping numbers.
Offensive X-Factor: Auden Tate – There’s a lot I can say here about Auden Tate. The stars could align for him this season to set himself up for a future here in Cincinnati. His 6’5″ frame gives him the ability to line up on the perimeter and catch any ball Burrow throw his way. And with Green’s and John Ross’s future in question, that could open the door for Tate to carve out a significant role within the Bengals offense down the road.
Defensive X-Factor: Vonn Bell – I just don’t feel as if Bell has been talked about enough when it comes to the free agent signings. He had a productive first four seasons in New Orleans, punctuated by five fumble recoveries last season.
Game-by-Game Predictions
Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Chargers – 4:05 p.m. on CBS
Refer to game preview
Score Prediction: Bengals 28 Chargers 20
Week 2: @ Cleveland Browns – 8:20 p.m. on NFL Network
Two games in five days to start the season is a test for any team, let alone one being led by a rookie quarterback and a lot of other unproven aspects. Maybe Joe Burrow will pass that test like he did against each of the seven top 10 teams he and the LSU Tigers defeated on their way to a national championship. I don’t know, but I’m optimistic.
What I do know is that I believe the Browns offense will be much better this season. I think Baker Mayfield knows he has to play well this season because of the pressure surrounding him. Good thing for him, he has the same arsenal of weapons surrounding him as he did going into 2019 and the Browns provided him another weapon in tight end Austin Hooper. The tight end comes over from catching passes from former league MVP Matt Ryan and now enters new head coach Kevin Stefanski’s system that is heavily predicated on tight end usage. I think the Bengals can exploit Cleveland’s defense, especially in the passing game. But in the end, playing on the road on short rest I think will lead to an 0-2 start to the season.
Score Prediction: Browns 31 Bengals 21
Week 3: @ Philadelphia Eagles – 1 p.m. on CBS
The first two games happen so quick that it very much makes me think of this situation. Burrow and the Tigers trailed Clemson 17-7 in the second quarter of the national championship, but then promptly outscored them 35-8 the rest of the way. That adversity back in January is similar to what the Burrow and the Bengals face at this point in the season; 0-2 and going on the road to face a good football team.
Philadelphia, when healthy, is one of the 10 best teams in the league, especially with all the weapons they have on offense. But as we saw last year down the stretch of the regular season, it doesn’t matter who is on the field catching passes from quarterback Carson Wentz. Defensively, I can’t figure this team out. I think they’re underrated, but they are vulnerable.
Another vulnerability to the Eagles is they lose games early in the season that they shouldn’t. Look at the last two seasons. Last year they lose to Detroit at home in week three and the year before they lost at Tampa Bay and Tennessee in the first four weeks. The Bengals will undoubtedly be underdogs in this game, but Joe Burrow knows a thing or two about playing with his back against the wall. With that, I think the Bengals get the win and salvage their season.
Score Prediction: Bengals 34 Eagles 21
Week 4: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 1 p.m. on CBS
Not much to say here. Jacksonville is in full on tank mode after waiving running back Leonard Fournette and trading defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. This, HOPEFULLY, will be an easy win for the Bengals.
Score Prediction: Bengals 35 Jaguars 17
Week 5: @ Baltimore Ravens – 1 p.m. on CBS
What was once a rivalry between two evenly-matched teams turned into a total decimation last year at Paul Brown Stadium when Lamar Jackson and the Ravens ran the Bengals defense out of the jungle. But I think that was just a one-year decimation project. The Bengals are much better on paper than they were in November of last year, and it’s worth noting that the game in Baltimore had a 23-17 final score.
That said, the Ravens are still the Ravens of last year. Lamar Jackson was the MVP for a reason. Ever since he took over in week 11 of the 2018 season (remember that game against the Bengals?), the Ravens have gone 20-3. He’s pretty valuable, that’s for sure. So too is the Ravens running game, comprised by a crowded running back room. Greg Roman has completely remade the Ravens offense to one of blazing speed, and it gashed defenses week in and week out last season.
The offense may have changed recently, but when it comes to the Ravens I always think of defense. And this defense is no different with high-profile players at seemingly every position.
What made the Ravens so successful last year was their ability to start fast. Their games were over essentially by halftime. I think that’s how this game will go, but the Bengals will make some noise late to show that they are much different than last year.
Score Prediction: Ravens 38 Bengals 28
Week 6: @ Indianapolis Colts – 1 p.m. on FOX
This game was the hardest for me to pick. I think both of these teams are extremely similar. I like how this Colts team is built. General Manager Chris Ballard has done a fantastic job constructing this team with one of the best offensive lines in the NFL paving the way for a strong rushing attack. I’m interested in seeing how quarterback Philip Rivers fares with this team. Is he at the end of the road for his career, or is he going to have a resurgent year?
Coming off a loss to the Ravens, I think Joe Burrow knows the importance of this game. Sam Hubbard said it on day one of Training Camp when he talked about how Burrow shows a sense of urgency to be the leader of the offense. That said, I think Burrow leads the Bengals to a win in this game to keep the wheels going on the right track.
Score Prediction: Bengals 31 Colts 28
Week 7: vs. Cleveland Browns – 1 p.m. on CBS
I think this game is a trap game. Coming off a big win at Indianapolis, and now you’re playing against a division rival. But excluding clunkers in 2014 and 2018, the Bengals have owned the Browns in Cincinnati almost to the point where they’re pet owners. Okay, maybe I went too far there. But case in point, I think the Bengals win this game and win this game comfortably.
Score Prediction: Bengals 42 Browns 24
Week 8: vs. Tennessee Titans – 1 p.m. on CBS
This is one of the games I’m most looking forward to. I have a lot of respect for the Titans. They play a great brand of football combining smash mouth, tough and physical with a bit of firepower. Derrick Henry has emerged as one of the best running backs in the NFL, and he was rewarded with a well-deserved contract extension. I also don’t think Ryan Tannehill gets enough credit. What he did last year was both out of left field and a feel-good story. His career was on the brink of extinction, and now he’s the quarterback of a team with a legitimate shot at bringing the Lombardi Trophy to the Music City.
But for some reason, I think the Bengals win this game. Tennessee didn’t really get going until the back half of the season in 2019, and they’re coming off a bye going into this matchup against the Bengals. In addition, this game is their only game from weeks 4-10 that’s on the road. The Bengals will be on a two-game winning streak at this point, and they’ll keep it going in this game.
Score Prediction: Bengals 34 Titans 31
Week 10: @ Pittsburgh Steelers – 1 p.m. on FOX
It is mind boggling that the Bengals have not beaten the Steelers since 2015. The last time they did was the same day I was hired at Dorothy Lane Market. What a time that was, and I mean that with mostly good memories of working there. Anyway, Ben Roethlisberger is back this season which should cause an uptick in the Steelers offense. When you combine the power of the Steelers offensive line and running game and put Big Ben back in as the pilot of the offense and consider how good their defense was last year, the Steelers are poised for a significant bounce-back year.
Joe Burrow knows rivalry games and crucial games against top-of-the-line defenses. Just look at his performance at Alabama last year. This will be his first taste of the nastiness of the Bengals-Steelers rivalry. Playing on the road, though, I think the Bengals come up short in this game.
Score Prediction: Steelers 34 Bengals 27
Week 11: @ Washington Football Team – 1 p.m. on CBS
The Cincinnati football team will win this game and that’s all you need to know.
Score Prediction: Bengals 35 Washington Football Team 20
Week 12: vs. New York Giants – 1 p.m. on FOX
This is another game in a stretch where I think the Bengals will bank some wins. The Giants have somewhat of a bright future in Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, but their receivers are unproven and their defense is a mess. Case in point, Burrow and the Bengals offense will have success on offense leading to a victory.
Score Prediction: Bengals 41 Giants 23
Week 13: @ Miami Dolphins – 1 p.m. on CBS
Do not sleep on Miami. Fun fact: they went 5-3 over their last eight games in 2019. By this time, Tua Tagavailoa should be starting at quarterback, and last year’s Burrow-Tua matchup lived up every bit to the hype that proceeded it. This is the epitome of a trap game, but Burrow played in several of them last year at LSU. I think this game is closer than expected, but the Bengals will prevail in the end.
Score Prediction: Bengals 33 Dolphins 28
Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys – 1 p.m. on FOX
The first game in a two-game stretch where the Bengals will host teams that have won a combined 11 Super Bowls, I cannot wait for this game. Dallas has one of the most talented rosters in the league, and now, I think, have the head coach in Mike McCarthy to get the most out of it. Because of that, as much as I think the Bengals can win this game, I have to go with my gut and pick the Cowboys.
Score Prediction: Cowboys 34 Bengals 31
Week 15: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – 8:15 p.m. on ESPN
Well, well, well. How many times have we seen this scenario? Monday Night Football against the Steelers? I’ll keep this short, since we know everything we need to know about this game and the Steelers. Joe Burrow is the quarterback. This prime time battle with the Steelers will be different. As the lyrics to Offspring’s Muse would suggest:
They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
We will be victorious
So come on!
Score Prediction: Bengals 37 Steelers 27
Week 16: @ Houston Texans – 1 p.m. on CBS
To me, this is the biggest game of the season because it’s after Pittsburgh and it’s on a short week on the road. Even with the loss of DeAndre Hopkins, this Houston team is still talented on offense. DeShaun Watson is a savage. If Will Fuller V can stay healthy, he can emerge into one of the game’s most dangerous touchdown weapons. Defensively, J.J. Watt is still a monster and the secondary greatly improved last year. Both teams will be contending for a playoff spot going into this matchup, and I expect this game to be a battle. You know what else I expect? Joe Burrow to be the toughest and best player on the field. After beating the Steelers on national TV, no way Burrow allows the Bengals to follow that and lose this game. No way.
Score Prediction: Bengals 31 Texans 27
Week 17: vs. Baltimore Ravens – 1 p.m. on CBS
My hope is that the Ravens will rest their starters this game with a division title already locked up. If that’s the case, which I have in my NFL predictions, I think the Bengals win this game.
Score Prediction: Bengals 38 Ravens 31
NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Round: @ Tennessee Titans
As hard as it might be to believe, I have the Bengals in the playoffs. I really think the Joe Burrow effect is real. Remember what Andrew Luck did in his rookie season? Remember what the 49ers did last year? My point: anything is possible.
With this being the second matchup between the two teams this season and this one taking place in Nashville, I have to go with the Titans. I think this game will be competitive, but the Titans will pull away late.
Score Prediction: Titans 35 Bengals 24
Let me be Frank and Cut to the Chase 