We’re two-thirds into the NFL season and the Cincinnati Bengals are still reeling. They’re in the midst of their second four-game losing streak of the year, and at 3-8, the playoffs are but a dream they can’t so easily make into reality.

Things were bleak in our first trimester report card of the season last month, and our second progress report isn’t any more promising. Let’s go through the good, the bad, and the ugly for both sides of the ball after 11 games in 12 weeks.

Offensive superlatives

MVP: WR Ja’Marr Chase

Chase’s suspension was unfortunate, but Joe Flacco knew exactly where to go with the ball when he took over back in Week 6. He’s still second in the league in receptions (79) and fifth in receiving yards (861) despite having three different quarterbacks in 10 games. The offense stagnated throughout last Sunday against the New England Patriots when he was unavailable. Hopefully they won’t have to experience that again for some time.

Glue guy: WR Tee Higgins

Lost in this frustrating season is Higgins staying on the field. He’s played in all 11 games thus far and has seven touchdowns to boot. Yes, his concussion will take him out of Thursday night’s game, but he’s still well on pace for his most games played in a season since 2022 when he appeared in all 16 of Cincinnati’s contests. He’s been a rock throughout all this turbulence, and deserves credit.

Biggest surprise: QB Joe Flacco

I mean it has to be, yeah? No one expected Flacco to be as productive as he was in his first four games under center for the Bengals. Sure he’s come down to earth and the AC joint sprain on his throwing shoulder, but what a ride he took us all on after he was rushed into action out of necessity. He’s been the story of their season, and perhaps Joe Burrow can finish it on a high note.

Biggest disappointment: Orlando Brown Jr.

Brown was having a Pro Bowl-caliber year last season before he suffered a knee injury, and he hasn’t looked remotely the same since. He’s getting beaten around the edge much more than you’d hope and his technique has regressed quite a bit. He’s given up 13 more pressures this year compared to 2024 despite only having 29 more pass blocking snaps so far. Cincinnati needs to consider his future after this season at this rate.

Turning point of the last six weeks: Rushing efficiency boom

Flacco taking over saw a big boom to the Bengals’ usually stale rushing attack. They’re second in both EPA/rush and rushing success rate since Week 6, and Chase Brown is consistently posting at least 100 yards from scrimmage now. It’s helped the unit immensely as a more balanced attack has opened up explosive opportunities in the passing game. Now with Burrow set to take over, things can be even better.

Offense overall grade: A-

Defensive superlatives

MVP: CB DJ Turner II

The worst defenses in the NFL somehow has one of the best cornerbacks playing for it. Turner is covering at an All-Pro level despite minimal help around him. Quarterbacks are still testing him and his ball production continues to rise with a league-high 15 passes defensed. Trey Hendrickson being out for the better part of the last six weeks makes this an even easier decision, but Turner has been absolutely on fire.

DJ Turner now ranks 2nd in Coverage grade from PFF (out of 79 CBs)

His 46.3% completion percentage when targeted ranks 3rd.

His 13 Forced Incompletions ranks 1st.

His allows a catch once every 21.1 snaps on coverage. That ranks 1st also.

His grade in Man Coverage ranks 10th…

— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) November 24, 2025

Glue guy: DT B.J. Hill

My thoughts here are the same as the first report card. Hill’s production has been okay, but with Logan Wilson’s captaincy now out the door and Hendrickson sidelined, Hill’s leadership is what’s been needed. Has it worked? Probably not as well as you’d hope, but he’s about as much of a glue guy as you could find here.

Biggest surprise: CB DJ Turner II

There’s really no one else playing above reasonable expectations than Turner. His continued excellency through 11 games is a surprise on its own.

Biggest disappointment: Pretty much everything

Everything else is awful. The safety play, the linebacker play, the pass rush has seen a slight jump but is still nowhere near where it needs to be. Tackling is horrendous. Cohesion is non-existent. It was the worst defense in NFL history through 10 games according to DVOA for many reasons. Their plan of elevating the players on this unit has failed, and any positive momentum they may find over the final six weeks isn’t enough to undo all of that.

Turning point of the last six weeks: Post-bye week glimmer of hope

Cincinnati has only been the fifth-worst defense over the last two weeks, but has been significantly better at stopping the run in this two-game span. Can that continue with two games against the Ravens sandwiching a matchup against the Bills? Let’s find out.

Defense overall grade: F

2025 draft class superlatives

Overachiever: LG Dylan Fairchild

Fairchild is pretty much the only bright spot in this class. He’s been a stable rock at left guard for nine games (he missed two with a knee injury) and has played above expectations for a third-round pick. He’s become a building block for an offensive line that needs one.

Rookie we need to see more from: DE Shemar Stewart

Injuries have unfortunately plagued Stewart’s already underwhelming rookie season. He’s currently on the Reserve/Injured list with a knee injury and has only played five games this year. They needed instant production out of their first-round pick, and it’s just not been there.

Underachievers: LBs Barrett Carter & Demetrius Knight Jr.

This is supposed to be just one underachiever, but it’s impossible not to group these two together. Carter and Knight are arguably the worst starting linebacker duo in the NFL right now. Neither one should be starting as rookies, and yet they’re the center of this defense. The issues of this historically bad group are not hard to identify.

Draft class overall grade: D-

Coaching report card

Grade: D-

There are personnel and organizational problems holding the Bengals back, but the coaching has been brutal as well. Zac Taylor continues to fumble in-game situations, Al Golden has been a massive failure as defensive coordinator, and any positive work handled by assistants like running backs coach Justin Hill or offensive line coach Scott Peters is heavily overshadowed by their superiors. It’s a shame how the objective of this year was to have better coaching elevate a similar roster, and the product is just worse.

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John Sheeran