The Cincinnati Bengals cannot get out of their own way to begin a season normally. It's like watching your pal say he's not going to drink that much this night out and him ripping three tequila shots right off the bat. 



And yet, somehow, he rallies in the thick of the night. The epitome of why how you finish matters more than how you start.

Despite winning just three of their first six games, the Bengals are in position to claw their way to their Super Bowl aspirations. They wouldn't be in this position without these five players carrying the load.

Five Bengals Who’ve Kept the 2023 Season Alive

WR Ja’Marr Chase

Where would this offense be without Chase? After starting "slow" with five catches in each of his first two games he ripped off 12 for 141 yards in Week 3's key win over the Los Angeles Rams. Two weeks later he set a franchise record for most receptions in a game with 15 and added three touchdowns to boot. He's on pace to break the franchise single-season receptions record by 30 catches. 



When Chase plays well, the Bengals typically do the same. He's the lone member of the offense playing up to his potential at the moment and creating more yards than expected. His value to the team has never been higher.

ED Trey Hendrickson

Only Myles Garrett has a higher pass rush win rate than Hendrickson this season according to Pro Football Focus. Much like Chase and the offense, Hendrickson’s ability to generate consistent pressure off the right edge has had a strong correlation with the defense’s success. His two down games against the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans were the two worst outings from the defense through six games.

In all three of Cincinnati’s wins, Hendrickson has made quarterbacks pay. 20 pressures and 5.5 sacks have come from those contests, creating a path for him to make a third straight Pro Bowl.  

NT DJ Reader

Struggles defending the run have put Reader almost out of the spotlight entirely, but he’s still stonewalling guards and centers up to his standard. He’s registered 11 run stops, which is on pace to match the 29 he had during his last full season in 2021. Reader’s also on pace for his lowest missed tackle percentage since 2018.

Cincinnati's issues along the defensive line all start whenever Reader is off the field, a problem that will have to be solved during the offseason at this rate.

S Dax Hill

Moving on from both Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell this offseason was a notable risk, and Hill has ensured at least one vacancy has been filled properly. The first-year starter has done it all for the Bengals’ defense, making explosive stops in the backfield while also covering ground as the post safety, and virtually everything in-between the numbers. He’s got seven pressures, two sacks, and two interceptions already.

Hill's top-tier athleticism is on full display right now, indicating he's comfortable despite wearing plenty of hats for Lou Anarumo's defense. That's a big win for the Bengals.

CB DJ Turner II

Speaking of big wins, how about another second round cornerback making an early impact? Turner has been tasked to play major snaps in place of Chidobe Awuzie and has not disappointed. He’s allowed a passer rating of just 42.4 when targeted in coverage and a DVOA -49%, both were amongst the top cornerbacks in the league after six games. 

Like his former Michigan teammate Hill, Turner just moves at a different speed compared to most players on the Bengals' defense. He trusts his eyes and his technique is flourishing from it. He's on his way to being great.

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As evidenced by the lack of skill players aside from Chase, the offense needs to kick into high gear entering the back half of the schedule. What matters more than Joe Burrow playing up to his standard consistently? Nothing. Tee Higgins doing the same is a close second, though.

Up front has been somewhere between great and mediocre. The offensive line has transitioned from the entity single-handily holding the team back to a unit that's along for the ride. You may expect more for so much capital invested in that starting five, but it's far from their biggest concern at this point.

How about some honorable mentions for the defense? Sam Hubbard is showing up when it matters, as is B.J. Hill. Cam Taylor-Britt's highs are outweighing the occasional lows. Even Cam Sample is coming into his own. 



The shots have been downed. Now the rallying begins.

Zac Taylor explains how Bengals’ biggest play was more impressive than it looked

“He made it look so effortless.”