Top Takeaways From Bengals’ Week 1 Defeat
Cara Owsley /Imagn Images
It was a tough afternoon for Bengals fans, as Cincinnati fell to the New England Patriots, who were heavy underdogs, by a final score of 16-10. The Bengals fell victim to a stagnant offense that coughed up critical turnovers at the exact wrong time. Zac Taylor and company begin the season with an 0-1 record for the third consecutive year.
What are the top takeaways from the Bengals’ disappointing season opening loss?
1. Run defense is an issue
In our profile of the Bengals’ keys to victory in Week 1, stopping Rhamondre Stevenson was one of the most important things on Lou Anarumo’s to-do list. Instead, Stevenson turned around and pounced all over the Bengals defense.
Rhamondre Stevenson logged 12 missed tackles forced today per @PFF. No other running back recorded more than 5.
109 of his 120 yards came after contact.pic.twitter.com/imP4BnQUPv
— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) September 8, 2024
Run defense was largely expected to be an issue going into the season with DJ Reader no longer on the team, and Sunday proved that notion correct. The two linemen the Bengals drafted to improve the ability to stop the run, Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson, were injured and out of the lineup. Their absence left veterans Sheldon Rankins and BJ Hill in the starting lineup, and they struggled to the point that Stevenson barely broke a sweat.
Rhamondre Stevenson was asked if he’s tired after his big performance
“Nah, I’ve got another quarter in me.” pic.twitter.com/Fv1osdeoVZ
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) September 8, 2024
New England’s lack of explosion in the passing game was not an issue, as they rushed for 11 first downs on the afternoon allowing the Patriots offense to stay on the field, dominate the time of possession battle, and slowly chip away for yards.
#Bengals run defense is the issue they hoped it wouldn't be.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) September 8, 2024
Stevenson accounted for 120 of the Patriots’ 170 rushing yards on Sunday. The Bengals must figure something out for next week against the Chiefs, whose starting running back, Isiah Pacheco, torched the Bengals for 165 all purpose yards on New Year’s Eve in 2023.
2. The Patriots simply wanted to win more
The narrative surrounding New England all offseason was the fact that they could realistically be one of the worst teams in the league. With their rookie head coach, young offense, and a chip on their shoulder, New England simply played to their strengths and overcame the underdog narrative. Upon realizing their victory, New England showed the fire and passion that the Bengals seemed to lack all afternoon.
Jerod Mayo gets his first win as @Patriots head coach 👏 pic.twitter.com/xXpEQ18ehQ
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
Cincinnati’s offense has all the talent in the world, but a lack of energy and explosion was on full display Sunay. Burrow limited his mistakes, but largely relied on check down throws, as he averaged under eight yards per completion in the defeat.
Tight race for worst EPA day by a quarterback, per Next Gen Stats.
Bryce Young -12.6
Daniel Jones -12.4
Joe Burrow -12.4— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 8, 2024
The opportunities were limited, as the Bengals only had eight offensive drives, only two of which resulted in a score. Of the other six drives, four of them ended in punts, one of them ended on a turnover on downs, and the other drive resulted in a brutal fumble by Tanner Hudson on the second of two straight missed opportunities by tight ends to score a touchdown.
Bengals TE Tanner Hudson on his fumble: "Just didn't feel like anybody was around me… One of those that's gonna hurt for a little bit."
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) September 8, 2024
Despite the loss, the Bengals are still, on paper, the far better and more explosive team. However, the Patriots were able to pull off the victory by putting in more effort, playing to their strengths (run game and short pass game), and dominating the battle in time of possession.
3. Was this game a typical early season slow start or a bleak sign of things to come?
Tanner Hudson’s turnover was one of two costly turnovers that resulted in field goals. Charlie Jones fumbled during a punt return that put the Patriots deep into Bengals’ territory to open the third quarter. It was uncharacteristic for a team who was one of the best in the NFL in terms of turnover margin in 2023.
And after the Bengals got what they needed with a quick 3 and out on defense, Charlie Jones fumbles the punt away.
Awful ball security in key moments from this team today. Unreal.
— Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) September 8, 2024
The optimistic Bengals fan could account this loss to the typical early season blues that have plagued Zac Taylor throughout his Bengals’ head coaching tenure. Perhaps due to starters not being up to game speed because of a lack of preseason reps, Zac Taylor’s record in Weeks 1 and 2 falls to a miserable 1-10.
However, this game with the Patriots was, on paper, a surefire win. It featured the largest spread of any game in Week 1 (the Bengals were 9.5 point favorites), and Joe Burrow had his healthiest training camp in three seasons. We’re well aware that the Monday after Week 1 is the mother of all Overreaction Mondays, but with Ja’Marr Chase still without an extension and after coming off of an uninspiring loss to a rebuilding team, it’s hard to picture brighter days ahead until quality wins take place.
However, Zac Taylor, forever the optimist, remains confident in his squad.
“The good thing is we got 16 games left to play,” Taylor said. “So, you know, starting 0-1 certainly is not a hole we wanted to be in. But I feel good about how this team will regroup.”
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