The Cincinnati Bengals moved one step closer to relevancy with the 21-14 Week 7 win over the Cleveland Browns.
There, the Bengals gutted out a rather standard-feeling AFC North clash by struggling on offense, getting some solid defense and a rare big play on special teams played a role.
Here is a look at some very quick takeaways right after the game.
The line is a concern
The front office getting conservative when it comes to depth has hurt the Bengals in both trenches this year. It might be the offense’s turn now after Orlando Brown Jr.’s injury on Sunday. Trent Brown is already out for the year at right tackle. Cody Ford can back up either spot. But now, if something happens to Amarius Mims, too, they’re in a bad spot.
Don’t panic on the offense…yet
The Bengals put up 30-plus in a handful of consecutive games this year before last week’s so-so showing against the New York Giants. But those Giants have the most AFC North-like front seven the Bengals will see outside the division all year. So…Sunday’s struggles weren’t all that shocking. Hanging 30-plus every week isn’t the standard (and doesn’t have to be if the defense keeps improving). Still, obviously, they do need to clean up the calls and execution, especially when it matters most.
Streak possible
Now the Bengals have a chance to really do something special. At 3-4, they next get winnable games against 3-2 Philadelphia and 2-4 Las Vegas before a rematch with Baltimore. That Week 5 loss to the Ravens was a three-point overtime collapse marred by mistakes and questionable play-calls. Point being, they could actually have a winning record going into that, then a game against the Chargers before the bye.
