The Cincinnati Bengals haven’t had much go their way this season. Sitting at 4-10 heading into Week 16, it’s been a year filled with more questions than answers. But in the opening moments of their matchup against the Miami Dolphins, wide receiver Tee Higgins gave fans a much-needed reminder: there’s still real talent - and real hope - in Cincinnati.
Higgins wasted no time making his presence felt. First, he climbed the ladder and hauled in a contested catch over the defender’s shoulder - the kind of grab that instantly brings to mind shades of Randy Moss.
Then, he capped off the drive with a picture-perfect toe-tap touchdown in the back of the end zone. Two plays, one message: the Bengals still have elite playmakers who can flip a game in an instant.
While the spotlight often - and rightfully - shines on quarterback Joe Burrow, there’s no denying the firepower around him. Between Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati has assembled one of the most dynamic wide receiver duos in the league.
When healthy, this trio can go toe-to-toe with any offense in football. The chemistry between Burrow and his receivers is already proven, and it’s a foundation the Bengals can continue to build around.
But talent alone hasn’t been enough this season. The offensive line remains a work in progress, and that’s putting it kindly. Burrow has taken more hits than any franchise quarterback should, and until that group is shored up, his ceiling - and the Bengals’ - will remain capped.
Even more concerning, though, is the state of the defense. Heading into Week 16, Cincinnati ranked dead last in total defense, giving up a staggering 403.8 yards per game.
That’s not just a red flag - it’s a full-blown siren. No matter how potent the offense might be, it’s hard to win when your defense can’t get stops.
And now, looming over the offseason is the situation with Trey Hendrickson. The star pass rusher has been a cornerstone of the Bengals’ front seven, but after a contract dispute, there’s a real chance he could walk in free agency. Losing a player of his caliber would be a major blow to a unit that already can’t afford to lose much more.
Tee Higgins with the toe-tap MAGIC in his return for the Bengals 🤯pic.twitter.com/9yUbDDz9Ne
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 21, 2025
Still, despite the setbacks, the Bengals have something most struggling teams don’t: a core worth believing in. Burrow, Chase, and Higgins form one of the most exciting offensive trios in the league.
They’re under contract, they’re in their prime, and they’ve already shown they can produce at a high level. That’s not just a good starting point - it’s a blueprint.
But the margin for error is razor thin. When Burrow went down earlier this season, the offense sputtered.
And it’s clear that if any one of the team’s stars - especially Burrow - misses time, the entire game plan can unravel quickly. Depth, durability, and defensive improvement will be the keys if Cincinnati wants to turn things around in 2026.
Burrow isn’t going anywhere - he’s locked in through 2029. And Higgins, now signed to a four-year extension, is here to stay as well.
The pieces are in place. Now it’s about filling the gaps, staying healthy, and finally turning potential into production.
Because if the Bengals can do that, there’s no reason this team can’t get back to contending sooner rather than later.