Grading the Bengals at the NFL midseason point
It's become a Cincinnati Bengals tradition to look at the regular season in two phases: Struggling through the first month, and thriving afterwards. 2023 has shown to be no different thus far as the 5-3 Bengals have ripped off four straight wins, keeping pace with the best division in football. Joe Burrow's calf couldn't have […]
It's become a Cincinnati Bengals tradition to look at the regular season in two phases: Struggling through the first month, and thriving afterwards.
2023 has shown to be no different thus far as the 5-3 Bengals have ripped off four straight wins, keeping pace with the best division in football. Joe Burrow's calf couldn't have healed any sooner to keep the season alive.
Burrow is the main reason we're talking about them in this light, but the rest of the team has followed his lead in digging out of the 1-3 hole they were trapped in a month ago. Our midseason grades will reflect what once was, as well as their reformed contender status now.
Offense Grade: B
If every week was like the past two games, this would be an A. Unfortunately, the first seven weeks happen to exist, which brings this down a bit. The trajectory is certainly up when analyzing the last four weeks on its own. Cincinnati is third in EPA/play and success rate since Week 5, when Burrow had his first quality outing of the year.
Most of this success has come within the first two drives of the game, otherwise known as the opening script. The Bengals have scored seven touchdowns in the first two drives of their last four games. The one drive they didn't reach the end zone was a field goal. That's 52 of their 106 points from those games!
Burrow and the offense are clicking as soon as they exit the tunnel, but they need to finish more drives in the meat of these games to take that next step.
Defense Grade: B
The clutch gene has not only stayed in Lou Anarumo’s defense, it's been enhanced with even more takeaways. Cincinnati is fourth in turnover percentage, and it's helped keep its identity alive: Bend as far as possible without breaking.
The Bengals have far from the best defense in the league. They're a bottom-six run defense in terms of EPA/rush and success rate, and they're 28th in success rate against the pass as well. And yet, they show up on the drives that matter the most, no matter the competition. It could be Kyle Shanahan's well-oiled machine on the road or Josh Allen in primetime, two opponents that are deadly in those respective settings.
Cincinnati's defense finds a way with a clutch sack or turnover, time and time again.
Special Teams Grade: B+
Evan McPherson hasn't been perfect, particularly beyond 50 yards, and rookie punter Brad Robbins has had his struggles getting clean punts off. But neither one is looked at with a lack of trust, and the latter specifically is only getting better. Robbins' three punts against Buffalo each landed inside the 12-yard line with solid hang times to boot. He's also been perfect holding for McPherson, who's 12-15 on the season.
Robbins isn't the only rookie who's shown promise. Charlie Jones provided an early season spark as a punt returner, but has been out for several weeks with a thumb injury. Trenton Irwin has been stable in his place, and Trayveon Williams has handled kickoff return duties well so far.
Penalties are also down for the Bengals on all phases of special teams from last year. They're at just six compared to 15 throughout last year's regular season.
Peculiar trend is forming as Bengals’ win streak continues
Cincinnati makes it four in a row with a win over Buffalo.
