Cincy Jungle
The Cincinnati Bengals have been thoroughly dominated and utterly embarrassed in back-to-back weeks. In Week 3, they suffered the most lopsided loss in franchise history in Minneapolis. When they needed to bounce back to prove that performance was a fluke, they instead got steamrolled by a Broncos team that entered Week 4 having very much earned their 1-2 record.
The opening minutes teased hope. Cincinnati started with the ball, marched into the red zone, and Evan McPherson’s chip shot gave them an early 3-0 lead. Then, for the first time all season, the defense forced an opponent to punt on its opening drive. For a moment, it looked as if Zac Taylor’s crew had come to the Rocky Mountains ready to play football.
That illusion didn’t last long.
The wheels fell off completely. The Bengals tied a franchise record for most penalties in a half on Monday night. They couldn’t protect Jake Browning. They couldn’t stop Denver from running the ball. They couldn’t pressure Bo Nix, who calmly sat in the pocket and carved up the secondary. Cincinnati played poor football in every single phase.
When Browning had time, which was rare, he couldn’t find anyone downfield. When someone did spring open, he either didn’t see them or was already running for his life. The offense, aside from a few scattered first downs, did absolutely nothing. In fact, they never crossed midfield after their opening drive.
Last week in Minnesota, at least they managed to move the ball, even though they turned it over five times. Against Denver? They looked like a semi-pro outfit. Without Joe Burrow, this team is a supercar parked outside a shack—except it’s actually two supercars. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined for a measly handful of catches and no impact.
I’ve never been one to call for a midseason firing, but if the Bengals continue to get embarrassed against the Lions and Packers over the next two weeks, the family may not have a choice.
Yes, it’s early. They’re 2-2. The sky hasn’t officially fallen. But nothing about the last two weeks suggests this team is capable of surviving until Burrow is healthy. Browning looks overwhelmed, and the offensive line remains a disaster.
