Cincy Jungle
Football is back!
I don’t know about you, but it felt great to do nothing this weekend as I sat and watched college football all day and night Saturday. But this weekend, we finally get to see our beloved boys in orange again.
As most of you are, I couldn’t be more excited to see the 2025 Cincinnati Bengals kick off their season against the Cleveland Browns.
Everyone is starting the season healthy, and we don’t have to listen to national media talk about injuries or contract negotiations; we are primed for a good year… well, hopefully.
We have been hearing for months now from media analysts, coaches, players, and fans how the Bengals need to start fast, and we’re all right. Usually, we get into the last month of football, and we talk about must-win games to push into the playoff picture.
Well, now it’s reversed. Cincinnati’s first two, possibly three games, are arguably must-win games for the pure fact that they need to get ahead of the season early versus trailing all year and catching up at the end.
You know who the heavy-hitters are for the Bengals. But in this article, I’m taking a look at a group of players I’m looking to either perform well because they are new (to the team or league) or need to have a breakout season.
Tahj Brooks – I’ve been talking about him since the Bengals drafted him. They were shocked he was still around in the sixth round. He was arguably the best blocking running back in the draft, and he knows how to make people miss. As of now, he is ranked as the third back behind Samaje Perine, but I believe once he gets his opportunity, he will become the number 2 back behind Chase Brown, and they become a dangerous 1-2 punch.
Jermaine Burton – After a tumultuous rookie season, Burton is looking to have his breakout season. He was touted by so many people last season, but unfortunately, he was a letdown on and off the field. According to teammates, he has put in his extra time this offseason and is one of the Bengals’ six receivers. He has been practicing as the return man, so hopefully, he can show his talent there and earn more reps throughout games. But he needs to prove himself as to why he was drafted.
Dylan Fairchild – Drafted in the third round in this year’s draft, Fairchild is looking to prove himself as the starting left guard. With a team that has been hurting on the offensive line and hasn’t had an above-average front line in so many years, it is imperative for this line to prove itself. They have a new coach this season who has brought and implemented some new and fresh ideas, and they are looking to translate that to the regular season. He was a high school state champion wrestler and played alongside current teammate Amarius Mims at Georgia. He was also ranked as...
