The Cincinnati Bengals are hoping for a return to form in 2024. Following Joe Burrow’s untimely injury last year, fans are hungry for a full season at full strength.
However, while the Bengals might have their quarterback, they also have lingering issues that could cause them problems this year.
Here are three predictions about Cincinnati for this year.
Ja’Marr Chase misses regular season time due to contract situation
Ja’Marr Chase is holding in on the Bengals. Meaning, he isn’t on some faraway island away from the team. Rather, he simply isn’t practicing but is still making the drive to the facility every day. The Bengals, still having one more year on his rookie contract, have no reason to dive into an expensive extension. As such, Chase elects to hold-in past Week 1. The camera will cut between the Bengals playing and Chase standing on the sideline in his street clothes.
Eventually, Chase caves and begrudgingly returns to the fold. However, his final totals take a hit because of the hold-in, setting up for an even more tense negotiation next offseason.
Joe Burrow’s season-long passer rating falls below 100
Burrow might have beaten Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs and reached the Super Bowl in 2021, but the quarterback has been on a steady decline since in terms of passer rating. In 2021, he earned a 108.3 rating. In 2022, he earned a 100.8 rating. Then, in 2023, he earned a 91.0 rating and missed roughly half of the season due to injury.
This year, Burrow finishes the year, but doesn’t hit the same height as in 2021, sparking questions about the quarterback heading into 2025.
Bengals finish in bottom half of AFC North despite healthy Joe Burrow
If Burrow doesn’t fire on all cylinders, his team won’t hit the same heights. In a tough-as-nails division, Burrow’s back is against the wall heading into the Christmas window. The Bengals stumble and despite finishing at 10 wins, they don’t even sniff a division title.
Last year, the Bengals went 9-8 and finished in last place in the AFC North. This year, the Steelers are better at quarterback, the Ravens haven’t taken a step back, and the Browns will be tougher with Deshaun Watson returning.
The Bengals might not finish in last place or have a horrible season, but their division is loaded for bear and the Bengals will find themselves lagging behind.
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