Bengals' worst-in-the-NFL position group predicted to struggle on Sunday
The Cincinnati Bengals are showing glimpses of what they can be on offense when they finally put things together. So far, they haven't gotten there though. One of the reasons continues to be what was evident since last year. The offensive line. Despite a loaded class of free agents, the guys up front are still […]
The Cincinnati Bengals are showing glimpses of what they can be on offense when they finally put things together. So far, they haven't gotten there though. One of the reasons continues to be what was evident since last year.
The offensive line.
Despite a loaded class of free agents, the guys up front are still struggling. As I have written about before, that has to do with Joe Burrow, the scheme, and the talent up front. There are things the Bengals still need to figure out.
The struggles have continued even on last week's game in Cincinnati as the offensive line dropped five spots inPro Football Focus' rankings to land all the way down in 32nd place.
"Cincinnati’s line was supposed to be vastly improved following major offseason additions, but there has been very little evidence of it so far, albeit against some tough opponents," writes Sam Monson from PFF.
"They have allowed 52 pressures across four games and are averaging only 0.7 yards per carry before contact."
That's a tough spot to be in. The Bengals have faced some killer defensive fronts, including T.J. Watt's Steelers and Micah Parsons' Cowboys. But the struggles have been evident against lesser units, too.
Against the Baltimore Ravens, the Bengals will have to look better. Defensive linemen Justin Madubuike and Calais Campbell lead one of the best units in the league that could fly under the radar due to low production numbers.
This is a match-up Cincinnati will have to overcome to walk away with the win in a key AFC North duel. Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson predicts a mismatch unless the Bengals pick it up:
"The Ravens rank only 23rd in pressure rate this season, but they have four players with at least 11 pressures. Baltimore's interior, in particular, will be a mismatch for Cincinnati, barring a change in performance from the Bengals trio."
You can read PFF's full offensive line rankings here.
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
