The Cincinnati Bengals are anticipated to compete for the AFC North title, particularly with quarterback Joe Burrow again within the lineup.
Nevertheless, the Bengals had certainly one of their worst performances in Week 1, dropping 16-10 at residence to the New England Patriots, who have been anticipated to complete final within the AFC East.
Burrow was enjoying his first sport since Nov. 16, a season-ending wrist damage suffered in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens.
Burrow seemed nice in coaching camp, however he seemed rusty in opposition to the Patriots, finishing 21 of 29 passes for simply 164 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. He was sacked 3 times behind a porous offensive line.
With the offense so incompetent, the gamers have been booed by the 66,214 followers at Paycor Stadium.
“We had alternatives and we did not make the most of them,” Burrow stated. “It wasn’t our greatest day. We’ll come again, study from it and transfer on to subsequent week.
The Bengals confronted a number of different challenges heading into the sport.
Cincinnati’s three-time Professional Bowl extensive receiver Ja’Marr Chase participated within the sport regardless of lacking all of coaching camp on account of an ongoing contract dispute that has dogged him all through the offseason. Chase was listed because the one in query as he revealed he had meals poisoning. He did not make a lot of an impression, ending with six catches for 62 yards.
“We’re not panicking,” Tigers heart Ted Karras stated. “We misplaced 16-10 to a superb group. It was an offensive quagmire and we wanted to attain greater than 10 factors to beat any group within the NFL.
Burrow enormously missed his extensive receiver Tee Higgins, who was dominated out with a hamstring damage.
That meant extra targets for the tight ends, they usually had a memorable day. A possible landing run by Mike Gesicki may have modified the course of the sport, as Tanner Hudson fumbled the ball on the aim line.
“We simply did not get into a superb rhythm,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor stated. “I am unable to put my finger on what that’s. I really feel like we’ve got a superb plan. Folks know what to do.”
Regardless of buying and selling four-time Professional Bowl linebacker Matt Judon to the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 15, the Patriots’ protection dominated the Bengals. A brand new excessive, however was restricted to 4 video games final season with a torn bicep.
The Patriots protection managed only one landing, however Taylor wasn’t proud of missed tackles and permitting 170 speeding yards.
Regardless of a number of probabilities, Cincinnati didn’t power turnovers. Interception by Bengals security Geno Stone. Final season as a member of the Ravens, Stone ranked second within the NFL with seven interceptions, trailing solely Dallas cornerback De’Aaron Model (9).
Particular groups additionally struggled with a missed punt by returner Charlie Jones, which led to a Patriots subject aim within the second half.
It is only one sport, however the Bengals’ schedule does not get any simpler as they have to journey to Kansas Metropolis in Week 2 to tackle the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champion Chiefs.
“Now we have 16 video games left,” Taylor stated. “An 0-1 begin is actually a gap we do not need to get into, however I be ok with how this group goes to regroup.”
