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The Cincinnati Bengals are living through a season of heartbreaks. With four losses already on the books, each one a nail-biter, they’ve earned the title of the NFL’s unluckiest team.
Their Week 5 clash against the Ravens was just another chapter in this tale of near-misses, leaving fans wondering what could have been.
But don’t count them out just yet. ESPN’s Mike Greenberg isn’t ready to slam the door on the Bengals’ playoff hopes.
On a recent ESPN Radio segment, he shared his take:
“Look Cleveland is terrible, the Steelers are not really that good, the Ravens are the class of that division but the Bengals absolutely had them beat yesterday. Even at 1-4, I’m not ready to write off Cincinnati.”
“Even at 1-4, I’m not ready to write off Cincinnati.”@Espngreeny says the close losses to top AFC contenders make him think the Bengals can still make a playoff run 🐅 pic.twitter.com/hVYHwjpfMW
— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) October 9, 2024
Greenberg sees a glimmer of hope in their remaining schedule, suggesting they could still emerge from the AFC North with a respectable record.
And he’s not wrong to hold onto that hope. Joe Burrow showed flashes of brilliance against the Ravens, with the Bengals holding a 10-point lead three separate times in the second half. But somehow, victory slipped through their fingers once again.
The real thorn in Cincinnati’s side? Their defense. As Greenberg suggests, “Their defense is so bad.”
They’re languishing at 30th in points allowed per drive and second-worst in defensive success rate, according to ESPN Research.
They’re giving up 29 points a game, barely edging out the Panthers’ 33.
But it’s their third-down and red-zone defense that’s really killing them. In the last three games, opponents have been converting these crucial opportunities into touchdowns at an alarming 83.3% rate.
The Bengals aren’t just fighting for a playoff spot anymore; they’re battling to reclaim their identity as a team.
They need wins, and they need them fast.