The Cincinnati Bengals needed a win over the Chicago Bears in Week 9 before a bye to steady themselves at the break and NFL trade deadline.
Joe Flacco and the offense tried, but the Bengals defense wouldn’t be denied spoiling another game. This time, 500-plus yards to the Bears and the Cincinnati organization heads into the bye with some brutally tough questions to answer.
Here are some quick notes, numbers and other details to know from right after the game.
Quick thoughts
- The Bengals defense just looks consistently lost. Even the front seven, especially along the line, either runs into each other or it leaves gaps far too wide.
- Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart got the starts on the edges, yet didn’t do much.
- An injured Joe Flacco looked mostly unbothered on the day. That can happen when throwing to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, of course.
- It’s impressive to think that Charlie Jones’ game-opening kickoff return touchdown wasn’t enough cushion to help out the bad defense.
- Al Golden’s defense is so basic and struggling that the Bears are the second team in as many weeks to mess around with a trick play and score a touchdown.
- It’s hard to imagine the Bengals make a splash at the NFL trade deadline, beyond selling off a few pieces like Logan Wilson. But rearranging some faces on the coaching staff might make sense, to say the very least.
- A recovered onside kick after eight points via touchdown to steal the lead and, unfortunately, everyone had to know what was coming: the Bengals defense coughed up a 58-yard score to blow the game, anyway.
Key stat
283: Rushing yards for the Bears. On a 7.6 per-carry average, too. The line is a mess and the linebackers are inexperienced, to say the least. Not that veterans like Logan Wilson were doing much better, though.
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Game balls
QB Joe Flacco: The wily veteran toughed it out with an injury, hit the right spots and kept the Bengals in this one for three quarters.
WR Tee Higgins: Incredible catch after incredible catch for Higgins, who finished with seven catches for 121 yards and the two touchdowns.
Top takeaway
Trade deadline outlook and hot seats: The Bengals probably aren’t going to move Trey Hendrickson. But one has to think a few other selling moves will happen. And they’re approaching needing to fire a coach like they did years ago with Teryl Austin.
What’s Next?
The Bengals limp into a Week 10 bye under .500 in a bad AFC and with the trade deadline Tuesday. They’ll exit the break with a road game against Pittsburgh in Week 11.
RELATED: Bengals shot down Trey Hendrickson trade calls from Cowboys
