CINCINNATI — After suffering a shocking third consecutive loss to kick off the season, the Cincinnati Bengals are grappling with mixed emotions. The recent 38-33 defeat at home to the Washington Commanders has left fans and players alike in a whirlwind of frustration and disappointment. Quarterback Joe Burrow expressed clearly that this team, currently sitting at 0-3, is far from being in contention for the playoffs, marking the team's first such start since 2019—the year before the Bengals drafted him first overall.

Despite the gloominess, there's a flicker of hope. The Bengals face a challenging journey ahead, especially with veteran offensive tackle Trent Brown now sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a torn patellar tendon. Yet, Burrow remains optimistic. "We’re not happy with where we’re at, but by no means is the season over," he stated post-game. With 14 games left, the season isn't out of reach.

However, the historical context for teams starting 0-3 isn’t encouraging. Only six teams in NFL history have made the playoffs after such a start, with the most recent feat occurring in 2018. Current analytics peg Cincinnati's playoff chances at 36.4%, a drop from 66.1% at the season's outset.

Reasons to Stay Calm

1. Favorable Schedule Ahead One glimmer of hope lies in the Bengals' relatively easy schedule due to their last-place finish last season. This year, they will square off against three other teams that also ended up at the bottom of their divisions. Although they've already stumbled against New England, the remaining games look much less daunting. ESPN's Football Power Index predicts that Cincinnati holds an advantage in 10 out of their remaining 14 matchups.

2. Ja'Marr Chase's Breakout Ja'Marr Chase, despite a rocky start marred by heavy double coverage in the first two games, finally found his rhythm. Against Washington, he celebrated his first 100-plus yard game of the season, scoring on two impressive plays of 41 and 31 yards. Burrow stressed the importance of continuing to target Chase, recognizing his ability to change games even when defenses try to neutralize him.

3. Burrow's Resilience Despite lingering concerns about his wrist injury, Burrow seems to be regaining form. After a shaky return to the field, he now ranks eighth in Total QBR. With the offensive line improving—ranking ninth in pass block win rate—Burrow appears increasingly comfortable in the pocket, suggesting a silver lining for Cincinnati moving forward.

Reasons for Concern

1. Troubling Defensive Line Issues One of the Bengals' biggest headaches has been their defensive line's inability to stop the run, particularly after losing key players to injuries. With DJ Reader’s free agency departure and multiple injuries, including starters Sheldon Rankins and BJ Hill missing crucial games, the Bengals find themselves ranked poorly in both pass rush win rate (18th) and run stopping (26th).

2. Inconsistent Defensive Play Although the defense delivered a strong performance against MVP-caliber quarterback Patrick Mahomes, this was overshadowed by poor performances against New England and Washington, where they allowed a concerning completion rate. Safety Geno Stone admitted, "Every game we've lost is a one-score game. It's not like we're not there," highlighting that the defense needs to find consistent execution.

3. Missed Scoring Opportunities The Bengals' inability to capitalize on scoring chances has been their downfall. They have left too many points on the field during critical drives, notably failing to score touchdowns when inside the opponent's 35-yard line in multiple games. Tied with Washington for the fewest offensive drives in the NFL, the Bengals must convert more of their red zone trips if they are to revive their season.

As Burrow aptly put it, "We had our opportunities and didn’t cash in on them." The time to act is now, before this season slips away entirely.

Conclusion:

While the Bengals have their challenges, the potential to turn the tide is there. Will Cincinnati capitalize on their remaining games, or could this season spiral into oblivion? Stay tuned, as the drama unfolds on the field!