Can the Bengals Bounce Back in Florida? A Closer Look at What Needs to Click
The Cincinnati Bengals are heading south in search of something they desperately need: a win. After a rough stretch that’s seen their offense stall and their defense bend under pressure, the question is simple-can they right the ship in time to keep their season alive?
Let’s break down what needs to happen for Cincinnati to get back in the win column.
Offensive Timing Is Everything
Last week, the Bengals' offense looked like it was stuck in neutral. Joe Burrow, typically the calm in the storm, was off rhythm-missing protection calls, misfiring on throws, and watching his receivers let catchable balls slip through their fingers. That’s not a formula for success, especially not in December when every snap carries postseason weight.
Burrow lit it up earlier this season in a win over Baltimore, showing flashes of the elite play we’ve come to expect. But since then, the offense has looked more like it’s in preseason mode than playoff push mode. For a team built around its quarterback and the passing game, that’s a problem.
This isn’t a group that can afford to be average through the air. The Bengals live and die with Burrow’s arm and the chemistry he has with his receivers.
When that connection is off-even just a little-it throws the entire operation out of sync. If Cincinnati wants to leave Florida with a win, they need to get back to executing the way they did earlier in the year.
Running Game Regression
Not long ago, the Bengals’ ground game was starting to show real signs of life. The offensive line was creating lanes, and the run game was providing balance.
Offensive line coach Scott Peters deserved credit for that stretch. But lately, things have taken a step back.
The production on the ground has dipped, and the consistency just isn’t there. Explosive runs have been few and far between, and the offense is feeling it.
Chase Brown is a spark plug. He’s got the kind of burst that can flip field position in a heartbeat.
But to unlock that, the Bengals need to clean up the blocking schemes and give him a chance to hit the second level. If they can get Brown going, it’ll take pressure off Burrow and help open up the playbook.
That could be the difference in a close game.
Turnovers: The Double-Edged Sword
This team doesn’t have the margin for error to give the ball away. Turnovers have been brutal over the last two weeks-particularly the kind that go the other way for six points. You simply can’t win in this league when you’re handing out free touchdowns.
The Bengals’ defense isn’t stacked with All-Pros, but when they’re forcing turnovers and giving the offense extra possessions, this team can win. The problem is, the script has flipped. Instead of taking the ball away, they’ve been giving it up-and it’s costing them games.
Ball security has to be a priority. That means smarter decisions from Burrow, better ball-handling from the backs, and cleaner play all around. If they can win the turnover battle, they’ll have a real shot to control this game.
Defense Trending Up
Quietly, the Bengals’ defense is starting to come together. No, they’re not shutting teams down week after week, but there’s visible growth on that side of the ball.
Rookie edge rusher Myles Murphy is starting to flash the traits that made him a first-round pick. Kris Jenkins is coming along as well, showing more comfort and disruption in the trenches.
And linebacker Demetrius Knight just turned in the best performance of his young career. These are encouraging signs for a unit that’s been under the microscope all season.
This defense isn’t going to dominate, but they don’t have to. What they need is to keep trending upward and find ways to complement the offense. That means limiting the damage when they’re put in tough spots and capitalizing when they get chances to flip the field.
Complementary football is the name of the game here. The defense can’t allow a short-field turnover to turn into seven points. And when the D does its job-gets a stop or forces a turnover-the offense has to cash in.
The Bottom Line
The Bengals don’t need a perfect game. They need a complete one.
That means Burrow finding his rhythm again. It means Chase Brown getting room to run. It means the defense continuing its upward climb and the whole team taking care of the football.
If they can check those boxes in Florida, they’ll give themselves a chance to get back in the win column-and maybe, just maybe, back on track in the AFC playoff race.