A week ago, we predicted the Cincinnati Bengals would overcome the Arizona Cardinals and save the season in large part based on practice footage that revealed quarterback Joe Burrow was more mobile than he’d been all season.
Now it’s time to do it again.
The Burrow comeback has only taken it up a notch over the last week while the team prepared to take on the Seattle Seahawks.
Early-week practice footage showed Burrow doing off-platform throws for the first time. And a report on Saturday said he did sprints in practice for the first time all season.
Normally, it might be a little ridiculous to base an entire game’s prediction around one player. But onlookers saw it last week in the blowout win over Arizona, as Ja’Marr Chase alone benefited to the tune of a franchise-record 15 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns. This week, Tee Higgins will be back on the field, too.
To be totally fair to the Seahawks, they’re a much better team than the Cardinals. The defense can generate a wicked pass-rush and has an 11-sack game on the resume already. The offense has some weapons that could give the Bengals problems, highlighted by wideout DK Metcalf and running back Kenneth Walker III (five touchdowns on a 4.4 average). Quarterback Geno Smith was the comeback player of the year last year and has five touchdowns and one interception.
Still, the Seahawks are a little all over the place, too. Two of the three wins came against teams with a combined one win. The other required overtime. The lone loss was a blowout at the hands of the Rams, a team the Bengals already beat.
The Bengals do have some concerns on the defensive side of the ball, as the trend of sloppy tackling continued last week, requiring a heavy reliance on almost lucky turnovers against a backup quarterback. But it’s hard to imagine Lou Anarumo’s defense keeps struggling with the same thing as a new-look secondary continues to get used to playing as a unit and there are rumblings of change, such as rookie Jordan Battle getting more snaps.
There is an angle where the Seahawks just try to run the ball endlessly and control this game. But they’re on the road after a big trip, too and over the last few years, run-first teams haven’t fared well against a healthy Burrow.
And that’s all it really comes down to. If the gameplan calls for some moving pockets and ways to avoid pressure and Burrow can extend a few plays and drives like he usually does, this should be a win. Feel free to tack on a sense of urgency, as the team doesn’t need it explained how important it is to hit 3-3 for the bye before showdowns with San Francisco and Buffalo.
Prediction: Bengals 30, Seahawks 27
