NFL writer feels Bengals' defender isn't getting enough respect
The Cincinnati Bengals are on their way to the playoffs with a chance to defend their AFC championship crown. Obviously, for this to happen, they have gotten good performances this season from several players. Cincinnati has produced three Pro Bowlers in 2022. Quarterback Joe Burrow garnered his first honor and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and […]
The Cincinnati Bengals are on their way to the playoffs with a chance to defend their AFC championship crown. Obviously, for this to happen, they have gotten good performances this season from several players.
Cincinnati has produced three Pro Bowlers in 2022. Quarterback Joe Burrow garnered his first honor and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson got their second nod. However, according to Pro Football Focus, Bengals linebacker, Germaine Pratt was one of the Pro Bowl snubs in the AFC.
"Roquan Smith has impressed since he arrived in Baltimore, but he wasn’t playing particularly well in Chicago before the move and has only been in the AFC since the trade deadline.
"Pratt has impressed all season long for the Cincinnati Bengals. His 81.6 overall grade is the highest of any linebacker in the AFC, while his 90.3 coverage grade — mainly due to a pair of interceptions and pass breakups — is the highest in the entire NFL."
Pratt has certainly had a good season. He has registered eight or more tackles in seven of the 14 games he's played in. Pratt's 95 tackles (six tackles for loss), two interceptions, eight passes defended, and one sack are his career best in each category.
The third-round pick from 2019 couldn't have picked a better time to play his best football. Not only has he been a big part of the Bengals' current seven-game win streak, but Pratt is in a contract year, and every big play he makes is raising the price of his first big payday.
He may not have made the Pro Bowl, but even a blind man can see that Pratt has turned himself into one of the NFL's better linebackers. So if the Bengals want to keep him beyond 2022, they better roll in the Brinks truck.
Feature image via Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
