Why Bengals fans should be encouraged going forward

The Cincinnati Bengals had a bit of a hangover from their Super Bowl run last year to start the 2022 season. They started 0-2 and were 2-3 after five games. Things have been a lot more pleasant in Cincinnati lately. The Bengals have won five of their last six games, and are now in a […]

Matthew Lenix
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Nov 27, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor looks on from the sideline during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals had a bit of a hangover from their Super Bowl run last year to start the 2022 season. They started 0-2 and were 2-3 after five games.

Things have been a lot more pleasant in Cincinnati lately. The Bengals have won five of their last six games, and are now in a tie for first place with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.

As the push for the playoffs sets to commence, here's why Bengals' fans should be confident down the stretch.

The offense was productive without a key playmaker

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) calls a play to his team as they face the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Nfl Cincinnati Bengals At Tennessee Titans
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) calls a play to his team as they face the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.Nfl Cincinnati Bengals At Tennessee Titans

It's no secret that Ja'Marr Chase is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. He's missed the last four games, creating quite a huge shoes to fill. Despite this setback, the Bengals' offense was still productive during that time.

The first game with Chase was miserable offensive for the Bengals as they only scored 13 points. However, they had their two highest-scoring performances of the season the two games after, and have put up 26 points and 368 yards per game over the last month minus Chase.

A big reason for this success has been wide receiver, Tee Higgins. Tasked with WR1 duties for the moment, Higgins has racked up 26 receptions on 36 targets for 371 yards with Chase on the sidelines and has crossed the goal line twice.

Higgins is playing the best football of his career, and coupling that with a healthy Chase and Tyler Boyd, the Bengals passing attack can even more lethal than what fans have become accustomed to, which will also open up Joe Mixon and the running game.

A key defensive element is improving

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Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91), center, celebrates a sack with Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94), left, and Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III (30), right, in the third quarter during a Week 11 NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Cincinnati Bengals won, 37-30.Nfl Cincinnati Bengals At Pittsburgh Steelers Nov 20 0095

The Cleveland Browns ran the ball down the Bengals' throats for 172 yards three weeks ago in an embarrassing 32-13 loss. Since then, the Bengals' defense has clamped down against the run, allowing just 76.3 yards over the last three games, all wins.

Seeing as the Bengals are a team with postseason aspirations, this is also something to be encouraged about. Good defenses, especially ones that can stop the run, travel well in the game of football. This could be key in the event they have to play the aforementioned Ravens or Buffalo Bills on the road in the playoffs seeing as both rank in the top eight in rushing.

There's a lot of football to be played, but the Bengals are trending in the right direction.

Feature image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

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