Bengals Keys: Force Daniel Jones To Make Mistakes
Credit: Sam Greene via Imagn Images
After finding themselves at 1-4, the worst start for the Cincinnati Bengals since 2008 (when they had just one win until mid-December), Zac Taylor now finds his team in do-or-die mode. They will face a New York Giants team that just defeated the Seattle Seahawks on the road after scoring a game-sealing touchdown in the most unorthodox of ways.
The Seahawks were attempting a game-tying field goal.
Instead of making or missing it, Isaiah Simmons blocked it and the Giants returned it for a touchdown.
Ballgame. Insanity.pic.twitter.com/ZCBybv4ZHi
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) October 6, 2024
Cincinnati, meanwhile, has reached a point where they have to earn back the respectability they worked so hard to gain over the last few years. How can the Bengals take home a Sunday night victory and prevent themselves from being further in the doghouse?
Make Daniel Jones His Worst Self
Despite what your buddies in your group chat will want you to think, Daniel Jones has had a respectable season. Since Week 2, he has a 6:1 TD-to-INT ratio. At his best, he is a perfectly apt game manager with mobility. At his worst, he is the quarterback equivalent of Eli Manning’s sideline face.
Eli Manning likes having an air of mystery, and his friends say he finds it "hilarious" some people have "reduced [him] to a caricature, to memes and the Manning Face."
(via @Ben_Baskin) pic.twitter.com/QfYLDxz5rI
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 12, 2019
Jones is at his worst when his offensive line fails him, as he has a 34.2 PFF grade under pressure. With a defensive line that’s getting healthier by the week, Cincy should improve their total of six sacks, which is tied for second-lowest in the NFL.
“You go out to the gun range, you shoot a gun, you feel real comfortable hitting the target,” a defensive coach told The Athletic. “But when people are shooting back, (Jones) is not as accurate. When the s*** gets moving and it’s live football, I think that is what gets him — missing throws, making more mistakes.”
When bodies are in his face, Jones will make diabolical mistakes.
DANIEL JONES IS IN MIDSEASON FORM LADIES AND GENTLEMEN 💀pic.twitter.com/9myZAlnJro
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) August 17, 2024
He can even make mistakes when nobody is in his zip code.
Jones won’t even have his usual security blanket in Malik Nabers, who is currently the NFL’s best rookie not named Jayden Daniels. Nabers will miss his second-straight win with a concussion, taking the NFL’s leader in receptions out of the game. Cam Taylor-Britt, who has struggled mightily over the last two games, won’t have to deal with the blossoming receiver, giving him a good chance to regain his form as a lockdown corner.
Hold New York To Field Goals
Quick! What do all three Giants’ losses have in common?
Yes, the other team scored more points in those games; we knew that. However, in all three of their losses, every point the Giants scored came by way of a field goal.
The Giants don’t have much offensive explosiveness, as they’ve only scored more than 21 points in one game. Limiting them to only field goals will allow Cincy’s offense to not have to score ten trillion points in order to keep games close.
The Bengals are the second-worst team in the NFL in terms of defensive third-down percentage, allowing their opponents to convert on 47.5% of third downs. They’ve also allowed 17 touchdowns thus far in 2024, which is also tied for second-worst. The Bengals’ defense, who have a revamped and healthy defensive line once again, should have a much easier time stopping the Giants’ offense than they did a week ago against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
Burrow Must Play With Something To Prove
Joe Burrow has been playing out of his mind so far in 2024, leading the NFL with 12 touchdowns. He has capitalized on opponents with weak pass defenses, and the Bengals have scored no fewer than 33 points in a game since Week 3.
However, with the Bengals at 1-4, the level of the chip that is currently on his shoulder could be placed in a box labeled “One Chip Challenge”.
“I know exactly how we are 1-4,” Burrow said. “We’re not making plays at the end of the game to go and win it. [I’m] definitely not in disbelief. I know exactly what’s happening.”
The Giants are a team that brings heavy pressure, as their defense leads the NFL with 22 quarterback sacks. However, their pass defense, which has allowed a 104.4 passer rating and has only one interception, leaves a lot to be desired. Burrow, who is one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks under pressure, is now behind a much-improved offensive line and a fully healthy wide receiver corps.
It’s a prime opportunity for the Bengals to continue their offensive hot streak. If Burrow can air it out like he has of late, especially against a Giants team whose offense is highly unlikely to be able to keep up with Cincy’s, the Bengals should have no problem getting their second win of the season.
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