Season predictions are in the air as the 2023 NFL regular season unofficially kicks off today. And amid contract talks, calf strain analyses, and general outdated narratives, the Cincinnati Bengals are one of the true favorites to win the Super Bowl. 

I'm not here to say the Bengals will or won't win it all for the first time in history. What is undeniable, however, is that expectations are higher than they've ever been before, and they're not unrealistic in the slightest. That in itself is a first.

Before bringing home the Lombardi becomes possible, the regular season must first be conquered. Here are three bold predictions I see playing out for three different players leading up to the postseason. 

3 Bold Predictions for the 2023 Bengals

Joe Burrow averages two or fewer sacks taken per game

In 42 career regular season games, the Bengals’ star quarterback has been sacked on average 2.95 times per game. Let’s call it an even three per game. This average would be a bit higher had the end of last season gone differently. 

Burrow and the Bengals ended 2022 with an eight-game winning streak that turned into 10 in the playoffs. In those first eight wins, he was sacked just 12 times, an average of 1.5 takedowns per contest. 

The combination of a mindfully aggressive Burrow and an improved offensive line created a trend that sparked a playoff run. Burrow's evolution and further enhancements to his protection have reached an inflection point where it can be sustained for a 17-game slate. By the way, the Bengals have won 17 of the 20 regular season games in which Burrow was sacked no more than two times.

 

Joseph Ossai becomes the Bengals’ No. 2 pass rusher

This was also becoming apparent towards the end of last season. Ossai finished third on the team in pass rush grade (62.6), pass rush win rate (10.8%) and sacks (3.5) by the time the playoffs had arrived. And this was just his first year of action.

Trey Hendrickson will remain the Bengals' primary source of pressure, but Ossai's involvement will only become more frequent as his game develops, and his development showed no signs of stunting this Summer. 

Ossai will likely miss the first week or two this year with an ankle sprain, but when he's back to 100%, he'll be the second guy opposing o-lines will need to game plan for on passing downs. 

Cam Taylor-Britt finishes with three interceptions

I bet you can’t name the last Bengals cornerback who finished a regular season with more than two interceptions. You won’t think of him because he’s associated with a less positive memory. 

The answer is Darius Phillips, who had four interceptions in 2019 despite playing just 75 snaps in coverage. Dre Kirkpatrick was the previous cornerback to do it when he hauled in three picks during the 2016 season.

A breakout season for Taylor-Britt feels imminent following a strong end to 2022 and an even stronger training camp last month. Teams will continue to test him with Chidobe Awuzie playing on the opposite side of the field. He'll make the most of those chances.

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For as well-rounded the Bengals proved to be last season, specific questions remain on both sides of the ball entering this pivotal year. Can the offensive line perform even better out the gate, and can the defense take a step forward in creating sacks and turnovers?

Burrow succumbing to fewer sacks will lead to more explosive plays and more touchdowns. Ossai and Taylor-Britt creating game-changing plays on defense will lead to more possessions for Burrow and the offense. The cycle goes on, and on, and on. 



The Bengals have a mountain to climb in order to exceed expectations this year. Every step forward matters, especially the bold steps.

Bengals: The countdown is on for Joe Burrow’s extension

Burrow remains without an extension as the regular season is less than a week away.

Featured image via © Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK