Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks to the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 4 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. The Bengals fell to 2-2 on the season with a 22-17 home loss. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
The Cincinnati Bengals are trying to incorporate more offense from under center. They made an effort all offseason to work out any kinks. Many wondered what would happen here after they left it up against the Jacksonville Jaguars in their loss on Sunday. However, the Burrow will not be forced to throw it away.
“Obviously we have to get better at it,” Burrow said. “We’re still going to keep it and continue to give the reps invested in that. I think it’s very important, so we have to do it. But we have to do better.”
The end of the Jaguars game was a special situation with mixed circumstances. The biggest one was that they weren’t able to run the ball well. Second, they fall while the defense is unable to keep them on the scoreboard regularly because Cam Little can convert long field goals that would normally be punts. That means Burrow and offense need to go to work. It’s safe to say that if the run works out we’ll be seeing more from them.
Bengals news
Quick Hit | Rookie WR Colbie Young gets some work while Joe Burrow takes some additional work
This could be a huge opportunity for Young. The Bengals could lose two of their top three options Sunday, if not all three. There should be multiple targets that can be captured. He could easily work his way into more snaps in a good game or two.
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“We’re coming off two losses, and we really need to get that rebound. If we don’t have big guys there, we still have to be able to perform. So, because we’re there, having one of the best quarterbacks, we have to be able to perform at his level,” Young said. “That’s what I expected when I came into this league. I knew we had the guys. It’s a long season, so there’s always a possibility there. So I’m happy it’s coming sooner rather than later.”
At least Young understood the reality of the situation. It will be interesting to watch how he and the Burrow gel on Sunday going into a Bye Week.
The Bengals struggle to stop tight ends, defend the middle of the field. Is that about to change?
As frustrating as not covering them is what they can’t deal with. Cincinnati came out and improved their defense in several ways. However, they never touched the linebacker position where they relied on two second-year players to take drastic steps forward as well as slotted Jordan Battle as the starting safety. The battle produced at least two big gains that converted 3rd-and-longs. Covering up is one thing, but they really can’t deal with them either.
NFL news
NFL QB rankings, Week 5: CJ Stroud, Bryce Young vault into top 10
Burrow’s fall into the Top 10 based on Sunday is fair. Sure, it was a good performance outside of a few throws, but late blocks in the red zone were hard to come by. Those are the little things that can move you up and down this list.
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The wheels are falling off a bit in Pittsburgh, which will hurt that Week 3 loss even more. Aarond Rodgers and TJ Watt also had outbursts in the game. There is just a clear lack of discipline among some veterans.
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The Baltimore Ravens have acquired a veteran center who will be invaluable moving forward. Cam Jurgens is also a clear response to the need to contain interior rushers prominent in the AFC North like Dexter Lawrence.