The Cincinnati Bengals are anticipated to contend for an AFC North title, particularly with quarterback Joe Burrow again within the lineup.
Nonetheless, the Bengals had one of many worst performances in Week 1, shedding at residence 16-10 in opposition to the New England Patriots, a staff anticipated to complete final within the AFC East.
Burrow began his first recreation since Nov. 16 when he suffered a season-ending wrist damage in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens.
Burrow had a stable coaching camp, however he was rusty in opposition to the Patriots, finishing 21 of 29 passes for simply 164 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He was sacked 3 times behind a porous offensive line.
The offense was so inept that the gamers had been booed by most of the 66,214 followers that packed Paycor Stadium.
“We had our alternatives and didn’t benefit from them,” Burrow mentioned. “Not our greatest day. We’ll come again, study from it, and play subsequent week.
The Bengals had a number of different challenges coming into the sport.
Cincinnati three-time Professional Bowl huge receiver Ja’Marr Chase performed within the recreation regardless of lacking all of coaching camp due to an ongoing contract dispute that has been a distraction all through the offseason. Chase was listed as questionable due to an sickness that he revealed was meals poisoning. He was not a lot of an element, ending with six catches for 62 yards.
“We’re not panicking,” Bengals middle Ted Karras mentioned. “We misplaced 16-10 to a superb staff. It was an offensive quagmire, and we’re going to want to attain extra factors than ten to beat anybody within the NFL.”
Burrow sorely missed fellow huge receiver Tee Higgins, who was inactive due to a hamstring damage.
This meant extra targets for the tight ends, who additionally had a forgettable day. Mike Gesicki dropped a possible landing that might have modified the route of the sport, and Tanner Hudson had a fumble on the purpose line.
“We simply did not get into an important rhythm,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor mentioned. “I am unable to put my finger on precisely what that was. I felt like we had a superb plan. Guys knew what to do.”
The Patriots protection managed to dominate the Bengals regardless of buying and selling four-time Professional Bowl linebacker Matt Judon to the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 15. Judon set a profession excessive with 15.5 sacks in 2022 earlier than being restricted to 4 video games due to torn biceps final season.
The protection held the Patriots to only one landing, however Taylor was not proud of the variety of missed tackles and permitting 170 yards speeding.
Cincinnati didn’t drive a turnover regardless of a few possibilities. Bengals security Geno Stone dropped an interception. Final season, Stone completed second within the NFL with seven interceptions as a member of the Ravens behind Dallas cornerback DaRon Bland (9).
Particular groups additionally struggled with returner Charlie Jones fumbling a punt, which led to a discipline purpose by the Patriots within the second half.
It’s only one recreation, however the schedule doesn’t get any simpler for the Bengals, who need to journey to Kansas Metropolis to play the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champion Chiefs in Week 2.
“We now have 16 video games left to play,” Taylor mentioned. “Beginning 0-1 is definitely a gap that we didn’t need to be in, however I be ok with how this staff will regroup.”
