Bengals bye week rooting guide around the NFL
The Cincinnati Bengals are out of the office this weekend, which means their current standing in the AFC and AFC North is out of their hands today. With a 3-3 record and all three losses coming against conference opponents, the Bengals could use some help from other teams to ensure they don't fall further down […]
The Cincinnati Bengals are out of the office this weekend, which means their current standing in the AFC and AFC North is out of their hands today.
With a 3-3 record and all three losses coming against conference opponents, the Bengals could use some help from other teams to ensure they don't fall further down the standings.
Here's who you need to root for around the NFL while the Bengals are on their bye week.
Detroit Lions
Matchup: at Baltimore Ravens
One of the best teams in the NFL is in the Chesapeake Bay this weekend to face the leaders of the AFC North. The Lions are winners of four straight games and have one of the best passing offenses in the game paired with a balanced rushing attack. It's set to be an enticing battle against a Ravens defense that ranks second in EPA/allowed per play.
Indianapolis Colts
Matchup: vs. Cleveland Browns
The Browns, without their starting quarterback, proved they could beat the favorites to come out of the NFC last week at home. Now they're in the house that Peyton Manning Gardner Minshew built. The Colts can be scrappy as much as the Browns' offense can sputter. That defense led by Myles Garrett, however, will be a tall mountain to climb.
Los Angeles Rams
Matchup: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The NFC West is just 1-4 against AFC North teams this season, with the San Francisco 49ers earning the only win against, you guessed it, the Steelers. It'll be tough for the Rams to sport a run game without Kyren Williams, who was just placed on I.R., but Aaron Donald should have his way against the Steelers' offensive line.
New England Patriots
Matchup: vs. Buffalo Bills
Yikes. Not much to say here. Pray for a Bill Belichick defensive masterclass or a Josh Allen vs. New York Jets disaster-class. The 4-2 Bills are a game behind the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East standings, and will face the Bengals in two weeks. That game will likely have major playoff ramifications down the road.
Los Angeles Chargers
Matchup: at Kansas City Chiefs
Similar level of dread here. The Chargers look inept from a coaching standpoint and haven't beaten the Chiefs in their last three meetings, all by one score in classic Chargers fashion. The Chiefs have an ironclad grip on the AFC West and have no excuse for letting up, but the Chargers stealing one here could impact the eventual playoff standings.
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