On Sunday, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs face the Cincinnati Bengals. We welcome Anthony Cosenza of Cincy Jungle — our sister SBNation website overlaying the Bengals — for 5 Questions with the Enemy.
1) The Bengals’ loss in New England was Week 1’s most stunning end result. How a lot panic is there among the many fan base? Is seen as a typical sluggish Cincinnati begin or an indication of main issues?
Slightly little bit of each. This has been an unlucky development for the Bengals and Zac Taylor. Their head coach is 1-10 within the first two weeks of the season in his profession, with Joe Burrow sporting a 1-8 report.
Within the earlier 10 contests, there have been excuses starting from an odd COVID offseason, Burrow getting back from a knee harm, to No. 9 having a summer time appendectomy after which injuring his calf final yr. Burrow was getting back from the wrist harm this yr, as effectively, however he nonetheless had a semblance of a full offseason.
It’s in that final side, the contract drama with their two broad receivers and the truth that the Patriots recreation was very winnable that makes this a bit extra regarding than earlier outings. They appear to get clicking within the center and later components of the season, which is need you need, however the sluggish begins have actually damage them. That they had higher proper the ship shortly with this extremely robust matchup approaching Sunday.
2) Regardless of successful a Tremendous Bowl with the Chiefs, sort out Orlando Brown Jr.’s play over a two-year span stays polarizing in Kansas Metropolis. How is he seen to date amongst Bengals followers and media?
He’s been tremendous. There have been some bumps alongside the way in which final yr, however he additionally had a mid-season groin harm that gave him some points.
I wouldn’t say he’s been on the Professional Bowl ranges that we noticed him with the Ravens and Chiefs but, however he’s stabilized a place that was sorely wanted and is well-liked and revered within the locker room. As for his Week 1 efficiency towards the Patriots, the consensus opinion is that he performed one of the best of all lineman and it appeared to be one in all his greatest video games as a Bengal in his time in Cincinnati.
3) The Bengals have been within the information extra this offseason due to contract disputes with broad receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase than for splashy additions. How a lot of a distraction have monetary issues been? Is there disappointment that neither have agreed to a brand new contract?
It’s onerous to say how a lot of a distraction it has been. Taylor has prided himself on how he has constructed this roster, not solely due to expertise, however due to its character and maturity. I feel the gamers have publicly put the proper foot ahead, however they’ve additionally been requested about these respective conditions repeatedly. I’m certain that will get outdated.
Ja’Marr Chase has seemingly been extra business-like and his trademark smile has been seen far much less not too long ago (notably after the loss final week), and Tee Higgins didn’t play final week and appears to be questionable/uncertain this Sunday, too. So, I’d say it’s affecting these two particularly (Higgins can’t assist having a hamstring difficulty, in fact), greater than affecting the staff, as an entire.
Sure, it’s disappointing that issues haven’t gotten completed for both of them, but it surely’s additionally a bit anticipated, in some methods. It was variety insinuated that Higgins getting the franchise tag and never the long-term deal was an unlucky byproduct of the Burrow extension and one for Chase. Most assumed that the Bengals would actually carve out one thing for Chase subsequent summer time, as they usually do with a core participant having one yr left on a deal, however with so a lot of his contemporaries getting mega-deals, it’s now front-and-center.
The excellent news is that experiences had the Bengals and Chase shut on a deal not too long ago, so hopefully they’ll get it over the end line.
4) Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has been among the best strategic minds at slowing down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense. What can he do to proceed the success with the Bengals’ present defensive personnel?
Anarumo has had success, sure, however a few of these gamers who performed key roles aren’t right here anymore. Larry Ogunjobi (who really missed the 2021 AFC Championship Sport), Jessie Bates, Chidobe Awuzie and Eli Apple are not roaming the protection.
Nonetheless, they’ve many different mainstays and newer guys like nook Cam Taylor-Britt have stepped up properly. Regardless, it will likely be about if the Bengals can generate stress from anybody not named Trey Hendrickson and if the secondary can sustain with the general velocity of the ability positions (specifically the wideouts) of Kansas Metropolis.
5) Do you’ve a prediction of how this one performs out?
If this was a recreation later within the season, I’d be inclined to go along with the Bengals. However the sluggish begins they’ve within the first couple of weeks, mixed with a juggernaut of an opponent taking part in on their residence area and coming off of a mini-bye. I simply don’t see a Bengals win right here, however I do see a hard-fought, shut recreation.
