Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals: It's Time to Hit the Panic Button

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

After five straight playoff seasons in the Dalton-Green era it seems that the honeymoon period is over.

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The Bengals have a losing record for the first time since week 1 of 2013, and have utterly been awful in every possible way. Far too many fans and “football experts” are saying that the Bengals should not panic with there 1-2 record. It has been said by many that it’s too early in the season, but after five straight playoff seasons in the Dalton-Green era, it seems that the honeymoon period is over.

Many would argue that it is too early in the year to say a team’s season is doomed. It’s not the fact that two games were lost but rather the pure self destruction that led to them. Cincinnati woes are directly linked to many factors that have cost them dearly. Among the worst of these factors are penalties, the offensive line, and failure to take advantage of opportunities.

The loss to Denver was riddled with the echoes of the 2010 season that was filled with winnable games that Cincinnati found a way to lose. Not to take anything away from the efforts of the Broncos but the Bengals practically handed them this game on a silver platter.

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PENALTIES

The first fatal flaw that must be addressed is the penalties that the Bengals have hurt themselves with numerous times. Through three games, Cincinnati has been penalized 19 times for 144 yards. Of those 19 flags many have come of third down and resulted in opponents being able to continue drives. One such penalty occurred on a personal foul after the play should have been blown dead due to a false start. Another on the second Broncos drive where an illegal contact call on third and four, kept the drive alive. However, clueless officials aside Cincinnati’s penalties have been devastating.

THE OFFENSIVE LINE

Sacks are another disturbing trend of the young 2016 season. Andy Dalton has been sacked 12 time this season. That is only eight shy of the 20 times that Dalton was sacked through 13 games last season. In addition to the Bengals offensive line’s pass protection woes the running games is still leaving much to be desired. After a very encouraging first drive of the game which saw Jeremy Hill have his way with the Broncos defense, the Bengals rushing attack stalled. If Cincinnati wants to have any hope of making the playoffs this season the offensive line must improve.

FAILURE TO SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES

The final concern with the Bengals early season struggles takes on many forms. Of which the most concerning has to be the amount of drops that the Bengals have committed. In a very uncharacteristic moment A.J. Green dropped a critical third down conversion. This moment was only the latest chapter in the alarming saga that has become Cincinnati receiver’s inability to hold onto the ball.

The same can be said about their defense as well. Against the Broncos, Cincinnati had a least three opportunities to end Denver drives with interceptions. Two of these missed interceptions led to Broncos scores. The failure to hold on to the ball on both offense and defense has really cost the Bengals. The only way to fix this issue is to simply hold onto the ball.

The Bengals let many key roster contributors go during the offseason. The results without the likes of Jones, Sanu, and Nelson have thus far are not pointing to these being good decisions. There is no time to focus on the could have, would have, or should have as Cincinnati finds themselves in third place in the AFC North.

To add even more pressure on the struggling Bengals, their next game will be in prime time on Thursday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins. Cincinnati has dropped three straight games to Dolphins including a Thursday Night heartbreaker in 2013.

The Bengals players and coaches must hit the panic button this week. They need to force opponents to defeat them rather than beat themselves. Better a little panic lead to a new result than allowing ignorance and denial to lead to the same miserable conclusion.

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