Colin Cowherd has a bold take on Bengals running back Chase Brown, and he didn’t stop at calling him good. FOX Sports’ Cowherd said Brown is “the best running back in the NFL.”
That’s a big statement, especially with Cincinnati’s offense already built around Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. It’s easy for a back to get lost in that kind of star power. But Brown has clearly put himself on the radar, and his production has been strong enough that the conversation is no longer just about potential.
Still, there’s a gap between being on a hot run and sitting above the top names at the position. Brown has been productive, and he’s been on a pretty good stretch going back to last season, but he has more to prove before he gets placed ahead of players like Jahmyr Gibbs and Saquon Barkley.
He could get there soon. Maybe even after this season.
The key is showing that level can hold up over time.
The Bengals are acting like they believe in him, too. Cincinnati changed its offense to put Burrow under center more, partly to help keep the quarterback from taking as many hits and partly to make the attack less predictable. That kind of adjustment doesn’t happen unless the team believes Brown can handle a larger workload.
We’ll see where he ends up when the season is over.
Elsewhere around Bengals news, the team’s defensive line plans are starting to look pretty intentional. Adding Shemar Stewart into the rotation is being viewed as an underrated move, especially with the Bengals trying to keep Myles Murphy, Boye Mafe and Cashius Howell fresh on the edge while the interior deals with players like Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen.
There’s also some frustration around Ja’Marr Chase’s role in Week 1. Coaches said, “It Eats at Me” - Bengals Coaches Rue Ja’Marr Chase’s Lack of Involvement in Week 1.
Chase has never been the type to complain after a win, but Cincinnati can’t make a habit of getting by without using him more. He’s too important for that.
That all ties back to the front office’s original plan. They said they were going to invest in the defensive line, and they followed through. Week 1 brought early returns, but the bigger expectation is that this group keeps producing every week.
In the quarterback rankings for Week 2, Burrow landed at No. 7.
The list also had Caleb Williams, Lamar Jackson and Trevor Lawrence moving into the top five. Looking back at Week 1’s rankings, it’s pretty funny to see Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford in Tier one without Burrow or Lamar Jackson.
There are still names ahead of Burrow who could slide, especially Lawrence, who doesn’t get the Cleveland Browns every week.
Only one expert picked Cincinnati on the road this week, so that matchup should be worth watching. The Houston Texans defense is tough, but their offense is a different story, especially if Nico Collins is out.
And if you ended up facing Josh Allen or Jahmyr Gibbs in fantasy, that Thursday night shootout may have made things even tougher.
In Other News...
Bengals May Have Found A Rookie Defensive Spark Already
For a defense that spent much of the offseason under scrutiny, the Bengals got an immediate jolt from a pair of rookies in their Week 1 win over Tampa Bay. Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. both played with the kind of urgency Cincinnati was hoping to see early, and their presence showed up in the kind of moments that can change a game, with the defense helping create four turnovers while holding the Buccaneers to 282 yards.
Zac Taylor was quick to note how confidently the two linebackers handled themselves and how much command they showed in the middle of the defense. For a team trying to stabilize that side of the ball, rookie contributions are one thing, but rookie contributions that translate into takeaways are another, and Cincinnati will be watching closely to see whether this opening-week spark can become something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Just Caught A Break Before A Tough Trip To Houston
Houston will be missing some of the familiar names that usually make it a difficult place to play, which gives Cincinnati a little extra breathing room heading into a road game that already carried plenty of weight. The Texans have ruled out wide receiver Nico Collins, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and starting guard Ed Ingram because of injuries, thinning out both sides of the ball as the Bengals prepare for another test away from home.
For Cincinnati, the timing matters because Joe Burrow was limited in practice with back tightness but is expected to play, keeping the offense on track for a trip that now looks a bit less daunting. Houston will have to sort out its lineup with Kayshon Boutte and Dalton Schultz expected to take on bigger roles, and the Bengals will be watching to see whether the absences up front and on the edge create an opening they can press early. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Rookie Cashius Howell Is Drawing The Kind Of Praise Fans Notice
Cashius Howell has already started to make a quiet impression in Cincinnati, and for a rookie trying to carve out a role on the defensive line, that matters. The Bengals edge rusher recently talked about how the jump from Bowling Green to Texas A&M was a major adjustment, which makes the move to the NFL feel like one more demanding step in a career built on climbing levels the hard way.
What stands out now is the early feedback from inside the locker room. Amarius Mims and Shemar Stewart have both offered favorable takes on Howells ability and work habits, the kind of praise that tends to travel quickly around a team and stick with fans who are watching for signs of which young players can help soon. For a Bengals defense looking to add more dependable pieces up front, Howells early reception is worth keeping an eye on. [Read more 🡒]