The Great Sam Hubbard Debate
Credit: Cara Owsley - Imagn Images
Even after their second loss to the Baltimore Ravens this season sent them to 4-6, the Cincinnati Bengals can’t afford to sag. Should the Kansas City Chiefs go to 9-0 against the 5-4 Denver Broncos on Sunday, they’ll still be one game back of the Wild Card. It’s go-time, and the Bengals can’t stop trying to complete their charge up the standings. But in order to roar back, the Bengals are going to need Sam Hubbard to keep up.
Hubbard, the hometown kid from Cincinnati who played football an hour and a half north for THE Ohio State Buckeyes, was one half of the two defensive ends that Who Dey Nation was excited about coming into this season. He and Trey Hendrickson have complimented each other well in past seasons that they’re compared to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. (Hendrickson being the peanut butter and Hubbard being the jelly, and no, I am not explaining why.) I guess you can just enjoy a plain peanut butter sandwich, as has been the case this season, but man… this defensive line could sure use some jelly.
Let’s start with the good news: The two have combined for 13 in 10 games. The only problem is that you know the bad news: Hendrickson is responsible for an NFL-leading 11 of those sacks. I think it’s safe to say that Hubbard has disappeared faster than a La Rosa’s Pizza in a University of Cincinnati frat house.
This hasn’t always been the case. Hubbard led his entire 2018 Draft class in sacks through his first two seasons (14.5), each happening before the Bengals brought in Hendrickson. Fans have loved this duo during their three years together in the stripes, with Hendrickson averaging 13 sacks per season and Hubbard chipping in with another 6.5 himself. And who can forget his magical touchdown in the 2022 playoffs against the Ravens? Hell, I even went out and bought his jersey after that.
Sam Hubbard takes the fumble 98 yards for the TD ‼️
📺: #BALvsCIN on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/hNJJJGqxGF pic.twitter.com/PoVImXrfpz— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2023
Look, I try to make a point to not single out an individual player, especially on this horrible, flawed Bengals defense. Hendrickson aside, there are no heroes on a defense that’s single-handedly keeping Joe Burrow from an MVP trophy.
But with expectations being high for Hendrickson and Hubbard this year, it has to be said that Hubbard is the biggest disappointment of 2024. Bengals fans know exactly what he’s capable of and saw him shine in years past. We’ve seen glimpses of it this year with his first career interception in Cleveland and his solo tackle against DERRICK HENRY in Week 5 that led to a safety.
Sam Hubbard stuffs Derrick Henry for the safety!
📺: #BALvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/So4CpaQCMx— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
But aside from these two big plays, Hubbard has just… sorta been there. His impact has been little more than a 6-foot-5, 265-pound body running around.
It’s not too late, however. If Hubbard could get going and make any type of an impact on the defensive side of the ball, it could truly be season-changing. And if he continues to be handled easily by opposing offensive tackles? There’s a good chance it could be season-ending.
With 10 games in the books, the entire Bengals team is still stuck trying to make up ground in the race for a Wild Card spot. There’s absolutely zero room for error, especially in the AFC North, where they have two more games against the Pittsburgh Steelers still on the docket.
This would be the perfect time for Cincy’s version of the “Bash Brothers” to show up and show out. Sadly, if statistics show anything, it’s that Hubbard is more of a “Before Week 10” player. Out of his 19 sacks that he’s had opposite Hendrickson, only 7.5 came after Week 10.
But perhaps, just maybe, Hubbard will change up the ritual will begin to be the Robin that the Queen City’s Defensive Batman needs.
How can I say that this is even a possibility after Hubbard has only recorded a career-low two sacks and has been MIA for 99.999% of this season? If you squint, you can see the positive signs, especially in the running game. As Twitter user Andrew Russell points out, he’s been an absolute run-stuffer from the edge from Weeks 6 to 9 and has earned a 77.3 Overall grade from PFF that ranks in the NFL’s top 20 at the position. Even in Thursday’s loss, his run defense remained strong.
The good news is: the offensive lines get a lot softer from here on out. Up next, Cincy takes on the LA Chargers, who have given up 24 sacks so far this season, which puts them in the NFL’s top 10.
But wait! There’s more!
Coming back from their bye, the Bengals square off against the Steelers who have allowed 21 sacks this season. 21 sacks, I say? That’s a godsend! And we’re not done yet! The following two weeks, the boys in stripes play the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans, and guess what they have in common with the Steelers? 21 sacks allowed! Oh man, does it get any better?
You bet it does! The following week after that the Cleveland Browns, who lead the league in sacks allowed. Come to Cincy!
So, maybe I’m seeing a light at the end of Hubbard’s 10-week-long dark tunnel. Maybe it’s desperation, but it feels like there’s a huge turnaround in order, and I’m here for it. We’re turning back the clock — IT’S PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME!
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