The game on Sunday, literally and figuratively, could not have been closer. Luckily for the Cincinnati Bengals—who didn’t look like they wanted to win through much of the second half—they were playing the Browns, one of the few teams that wouldn’t have beaten the product Zac Taylor’s squad put on the field.
I went through a dozen emotional phases after the game, but I’ve settled on one: acceptance. The Bengals went to Cleveland, faced a division rival they know inside and out, and came home 1–0. The points
scored and the margin of victory? Completely irrelevant.
Acceptance it is.
But I still have questions.
Why did this happen? The starting offense put in more work this preseason than at any point in the Burrow era. They played to avoid exactly this kind of slow start—the kind that helped keep them out of the playoffs in 2024.
The Browns’ defense is solid, but I don’t buy that they alone held a roster this talented to 17 points, with none after halftime. Burrow was sacked twice, both by future Hall of Famer Myles Garrett, but he wasn’t running for his life. The running game was respectable, and Chase Brown looked the part of a lead back.
So what happened?
Is this simply who the Bengals are early in the year? Is it coaching? Is it Burrow?
What do you think was the main culprit for the offense’s second-half collapse?
Meanwhile, the defense—the unit expected to be the weak link—bailed out Joe, Ja’Marr, and Tee. Two interceptions sealed the game, courtesy of Jordan Battle and DJ Turner. Logan Wilson was everywhere, backed by a stellar 89.4 PFF grade. Trey Hendrickson, despite skipping preseason, was in the backfield often and recorded his first sack of 2025. Rookie Shemar Stewart flashed as well.
But the secondary is concerning. Cam Taylor-Britt, coming off a down 2024, had a rough day. Joe Flacco went right at him, and the results were ugly: targeted seven times, six completions allowed, and a touchdown. With 40% of last year’s injured secondary back, the staff needed CTB to rebound. One game doesn’t make a season, but you know he’ll be under the microscope this week.
At the end of the day, I can’t complain about a win. The Eagles lost to the Falcons in Week 2 last season, then went on to hoist the Lombardi. If the Bengals had lost, I’d be in a different headspace, but it’s early.
Now, they get a chance to regroup at home against the Jaguars. I’m not panicking—the Bengals are better than what they showed. Whether they prove it in Week 2 is another matter.
Week 1 Random Thoughts:
- Myles Garrett could have gone anywhere. Instead, he stayed in Cleveland, where his career will be wasted the way Joe Thomas’ was. That’s not spite—it’s fact. I’d have preferred he left the AFC North altogether. He is to edge rushers what Aaron Donald was to defensive tackles.
- Stewart looked the part in his debut. Encouraging signs.
- Jordan Battle is a solid safety. If he and Geno Stone click, this safety duo could hold up against the gauntlet of elite QBs ahead.
- Imagine if the Bengals hadn’t signed Dalton Risner, and Lucas Patrick went down with his current injury. Disaster averted.
- Burrow and Taylor have worked together long enough for late play calls not to force wasted timeouts. That communication needs fixing yesterday.
- Dax Hill looked solid. He should’ve been playing at cornerback from the start.
- Burrow lined up under center more than I’ve ever seen. Clearly, Dan Pitcher wanted to sell the run.
- Cedric Tillman and Jerry Jeudy made the secondary look silly at times. The Bengals will face far better WR groups, and standing pat this offseason at CB feels shortsighted.
- There’s some crazy fantasy football takes suggesting you should trade away Ja’Marr Chase if you have him. I’m not a fantasy expert, but I’m saying no, you shouldn’t. Unless you’re in a league with me, in which case, yes please give me Ja’Marr.
The Bengals are better than the Jaguars, of that I have no doubt. They get one more shot to sharpen their steel before the schedule toughens up in Week 3 and 4. Hopefully they work out the bugs.
Hurts so good,
Come on, baby, make it hurt so good
Sometimes love don’t feel like it should
You make it hurt so good
