Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals Need A Gut Check

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

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Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday during the Bengals embarrassing loss to the Cowboys, Chad Johnson tweeted “the Bengals will be fine.” Was he telling the truth?

On Sunday during the Bengals embarrassing loss to the Cowboys, Chad Johnson tweeted “Bengals will be fine It’s just one game & it will end closer than what the score is now….” The infamous OchoCinco was right about one thing, the game did end with a closer score. At that time, the score was 28-0, Andy Dalton and Brandon Lafell limped into the end zone for two touchdowns, ending the game 28-14.

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However, Johnson was wrong when he said it was just one game. Yes, it’s the first game Cincinnati has been beaten and embarrassed before the half, but it’s not the first time Cincinnati’s offensive line has been pushed around, it’s not the first time Cincinnati hasn’t been able to run, pass or move the ball and it’s not the first time Cincinnati’s defensive could be mistaken as a Kevin Hart joke. It was literally laughably bad.

For starters, let’s talk about the offensive line. They say games are won in the trenches, so, why not start here. First off, Cedric Ogbuehi is not performing like he once was at Texas A&M. The tackle has been given up countless pressures throughout the entire season. If Andre Smith wasn’t headed to Injured Reserve, I’d be calling for Cincinnati to bring him back. Despite his injury-prone self, Smith played well when he was on the field. Yes, he gave up the occasional pressure, but it was never at the same rate as Ogbuehi. Gut Check.

I’m not just picking on essentially the “rookie.” Kevin Zeitler, Clint Boling, and Andrew Whitworth are in for it too, but first Russell Bodine. At the conclusion of the season, Boling has to go. He has yet to pan out and we have seen that he cannot hold his own against top-tier tackles or simply heavier tackles. Boling was literally lifted off of his feet pushed on his back against Dallas, but then again that’s not an uncommon sight to Bodine.

Zeitler and Boling simply have to do better and open up running lanes. Not all the penalties that were called on Zeitler were actually his. The refs did get the number, however, doesn’t negate the fact that Cincinnati still can’t run the ball. These are two run-blocking specialists and need to do what they are paid to do. Lastly, Whitworth. Perhaps, he’s lost a step. Perhaps, his age has caught up to him. Regardless, he needs to step up and lead this offensive line. It’s time for a gut check from the offensive line.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

On The Ground

Now for the Bengals running game. I won’t go as hard on the running game as the offensive line. Since Cincinnati was down basically right away, they abandoned the running game and needed to pass, obviously. The Bengals rushed 19 times for a total of 96 yards, an average of about five yards per carry. Individually, Giovani Bernard looked liked the better running back to start in Cincinnati’s offense. He only rushed for 50 yards on nine attempts, but that averages out to be 5.5 yards per carry.

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Hill only rushed four times for twelve yards but had a long for eight yards. That means Hill rushed three times for a total of four yards. Bernard needs to be the starter going forward and Cincinnati has to seriously start considering drafting Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook or Nick Chubb in the 2017 draft. I understand Hill is the leading running back in rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons, but still the rushing yards speak volumes.

Much like the offensive line the running backs outside of Giovanni Bernard need a gut check. Cincinnati can not win being one-dimensional. Giovani Bernard does not have the size to be an every-down back. Despite what his 50-yard performance may say, someone else needs to step up. Perhaps that person is in a Tennessee jersey, won the Heisman and played for Alabama. I don’t know, maybe.

Cincinnati’s offense is handicapped and while I applaud Andy Dalton for playing well and not turning the ball over, he has to get other wide receivers Boyd needs targets and so does Brandon Lafell. While LaFell was the leading receiver on Sunday he needs more targets. Green deserves the bulk of them, but if Green is double and triple covered like he was in Dallas’ zone scheme it’s on the No. 1 and No. 2. Dalton ,however, needs to give them the chance. Dalton cannot be afraid to take shots.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Defense

Lastly, there’s not even a reason to go in depth about the defense . They know they got torched by two rookies, but honestly, Cincinnati’s secondary is really missing the likes of Leon Hall and especially Reggie Nelson. I said it when it happen and I’ll say it again, Reggie Nelson should have never left Cincinnati. the Bengals should have mustered up all the money they could have found and spent it on Nelson. Iloka deserved his contract, but Nelson kept everything together and I cannot remember a game where Nelson did not make the last line of defense tackle.

I can guarantee the Bengals coaching staff and front office is realizing what they did by letting Nelson walk. Regardless, that’s in the past, but Cincinnati’s defense has been a problem all season.

Bengals cornerback Adam Jones said ” I’m used to winning. We should say. we’re used to winning as a unit. In seven years, maybe had one bad year. But for the most part, we always find a way to get back on track.” It’s time for Cincinnati to get back on track and somehow limp their way into the playoffs. Pittsburgh is running off with the division and the only thing that will stop them is a serious gut check by the Cincinnati Bengals. Will it happen?

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