By: Andy Davies

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”. 

This quote from Thomas A Edison best describes how fortune has favoured the Cincinnati Bengals in recent history. Their last playoff win was on January 6, 1991 against the Houston Oilers in the Wildcard Round, a thirty-year streak that remains the longest in the NFL.  

For many Bengals fans, it does not seem long ago that they reached two Super Bowls. Their most recent visit to the big game during the 1988 season saw their offense filled with players such as quarterback Boomer Esiason, fullback Ickey Woods, running back James Brooks and wide receiver Eddie Brown.  

Esiason threw for 28 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and 3,572 yards. Woods ran for 1,066 yards and 15 touchdowns. Brooks recorded 931 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. Brown caught for 1,273 yards and 9 touchdowns. On defense, the 1988 season saw defensive end Jim Skow get 9.5 sacks, cornerback Eric Thomas have 7 interceptions and nose tackle Jim Krumrie record 152 total tackles.  

Since their loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 23, the Bengals have seen a continuous decline, with only 8 winning seasons across the following 32 seasons. 

False dawns appeared for the franchise, when they had five straight winning seasons between the years of 2011 and 2015. They lost all five playoff games and have failed to make the postseason ever since.  

However, there appears to be a new exciting era in franchise era. After the comeback 24-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, here is why there is room for genuine optimism in Cincinnati. 

A Tough Schedule  

Their next five games will allow the world to see the true Bengals team, with games against the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns in this time period. Games against the Detroit Lions and New York Jets allow them to pick up two extra wins.  

At worst, they will be 5-3. They have the personnel to earn some surprise victories. Their final eight games see them once again play the Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders. Six of their remaining opponents currently have a 3-1 record. They face a hard task, especially considering it is normally the team who wins the division that has a hard schedule.  

On paper, this run of fixtures will likely see Cincinnati miss out on the playoffs. Despite this, the goal for this franchise is not the present, it is the future. They have a young and exciting roster that gives them hope for years to come, one that could see them break this postseason win duck. 

Exciting Weapons On Offense  

There is of course, quarterback and 2020 first overall pick Joe Burrow. He had an encouraging rookie year before his season was cut short in Week 10. He has started 2021 in the same vein, with some brilliant performances. He has so far thrown for 9 touchdowns, 988 yards and 4 interceptions. He showed tremendous composure when driving the Bengals down the field in the second half against Jacksonville as they scored 17 unanswered third quarter point, with 348 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in the Week Four win. 

He was reunited with former LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase, who was taken fifth overall by Cincinnati in this year’s draft. The argument can be made that they should have taken an offensive tackle, considering Burrow was the ninth most sacked quarterback in 2020 despite playing five or six games less than most starting quarterbacks in the league. Nevertheless, head coach Zac Taylor and general manager Duke Tobin went with Chase and so far, it appears to be working out for them.  

Penei Sewell, who eventually ended up with the Lions seventh overall, was seen by many to be the player that the Bengals needed. He has so far been far from the player people expected, whilst Chase has been exactly as advertised. In his first four games, he has caught for 297 yards and four touchdowns from 25 targets and 17 receptions, giving him an average of 74.3 yards per game and 17.5 yards per reception. Burrow does not just have Chase to throw to. Tyler Boyd has recorded 259 yards so far. Tight end C.J.Uzomah had 95 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win over Jacksonville. This shows the plethora of offensive talent that surround Burrow in the passing game.  

The ground game is also an area that can excite fans. Running back Joe Mixon so far has 353 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns from 89 attempts. Depth may be an issue for the Bengals if Mixon was to go down with an injury, with Samaje Perine the next best rusher with a measly 28 yards from 9 carries and Burrow the third best rusher to date this campaign. Should Mixon stay health along with Chase and Boyd in particular, then the franchise is in a good place offensively. These are game changers on offense that can help the team produce big results. 

Improvement On Defense

Defense has seen a massive improvement under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. They finished their 2020 campaign ranking 26^th in total yards allowed (6,227) and yards allowed per game (389.2), 19^th in passing yards allowed (3,859), 29^th in rushing yards allowed (2,368) and 22^nd in total points allowed (424).  

In the four games they have played so far in 2021, they rank 7^th in total yards given up (1,292) and yards allowed per game (323), 13^th in passing yards allowed (918), 9^th in rushing yards allowed (374) and 8^th in total points allowed (75).  

Defensive end Trey Hendrickson was one of the Bengals’ biggest offseason moves, signing a $60 million four-year deal after an impressive 2020 campaign. This acquisition was met with hesitancy, some believing he was playing his best because he was in a contract year. His 2020 season saw him record 13.5 sacks and 25 quarterback hits, both being more than his previous three years in the NFL. He has started 2021 in good form, with 2.5 sacks and 6 quarterback hits. This has him projected to finish the season with just over 10 sacks and 24 quarterback hits, reaching similar numbers to those of his previous campaign.  

Linebacker Logan Wilson is joint-sixth in the NFL for total tackles (4) and only the Dallas Cowboy’s Trevon Diggs (5) has more interceptions than the 3 recorded by Wilson. Offseason addition Larry Ogunjobi has recorded 4 tackles for loss, with the defensive tackle tied for eleventh across the league. 

The Bengals are giving their head coach the best chance to succeed with the start they have made, with Taylor seen as someone on the hotseat during the offseason. Taylor will be as keen as anyone to point out that it was never the aim to challenge for Super Bowls this year. They have shown enough encouragement that with a few more additions here and there along with the chance for their young talent to develop, they can once again be challenging for playoff spots and maybe more.

The post Why The Bengals Fans Can Be Excited appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Ja’Marr Chase elected to opt-out of the 2020 NCAA football season, but I’m sure many of you remember him from his 2019 season. As of right now, Chase currently is the second wide receiver on a lot of draft boards.

The last time we saw Chase in action, he was unbelievable in 2019. In 2019, Chase’s stat line consisted of 84 receptions, 1,780 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns. Chase led the NCAA in receiving yards (1,780) and had the most receiving yards per reception with 21.2 yards per catch. Chase’s 21.2 yards per catch in 2019, would have led the entire NFL this season as well. Chase was a superstar for LSU in 2019, working side-by-side with 2019 first-round pick Justin Jefferson.

It’s hard to look at Ja’Marr Chase’s stats and film and not fall in love. Chase was so dominant in 2019, he was the best wide receiver in the entire NCAA. He was a crucial part of LSU’s championship season, consistently making plays all year long. Now heading to the NFL draft in 2021, Chase will be a star in the league very soon.

Ja’Marr Chase’s 2021 NFL Draft scouting report  

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 208 pounds

Position: Wide Receiver

School: LSU

NCAA Career Stats: 107 receptions, 2,098 yards,  23 touchdowns

Chase dominated the entire NCAA in 2019, but his premier trait that stands out on his film is his ability to bring in contested catches. Ja’Marr Chase has shown in college when it comes to bringing in jump balls, he’s the best receiver in the class. Chase has shown he is extremely reliable at bringing in contested balls, and he also has great hands.

Chase isn’t just a great jump ball receiver, he’s also great in space. He’s a great athlete who has 4.4 speed that excels in the open field. He’s great at getting into open space and creating distance between himself and defenders. Chase has the ability to turn a nineteen-yard reception into a sixty-four-yard touchdown. Chase has shown in his short collegiate career that he is an elite possession receiver who can make clutch catches and be a reliable target for whoever is throwing him the football. Chase’s best attribute is his use of his hands when running routes, his hand placement during routes allows him to beat his defenders and gain leverage.

So, where does Ja’Marr Chase land in the NFL draft? While I believe Chase would be great for the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins might favor Tua Tagovailoa’s former teammate and Heisman winner DeVonta Smith. While he might not be the first wide receiver taken in this year’s draft, Chase will be a top-ten pick.

Philadelphia Eagles

We still don’t know who the Eagles’ new head coach will be yet in 2021, but you have to figure whoever it is built around the offense. The Eagles are desperate for playmakers on the offense, Ja’Marr Chase would fill that role for them. We don’t know who will be under center for the Eagles in 2021, but whether it’s Jalen Hurts or Carson Wentz, they need a receiver who can actually get open and catch passes.

Passing Ranks of Philadelphia Eagles (Pro Football Reference):

Passing Yards: 28^th

Passing Touchdowns: 24^th

Yards P/A: 32^nd

Chase would step in and immediately be the Eagles’ best wide receiver on the offense. Chase would bring the Eagles a dominant number one receiver they are desperately missing. An offense consisting of Ja’Marr Chase, Dallas Goedert, Miles Sanders, and Jalen Reagor would give the Eagles a nice young offensive core to build around.

Below is the regular-season production of the Eagles starting WRs last year:

Travis Fulgham: 38-539-4

Jalen Reagor: 31-396-1

Greg Ward: 53-419-6

The Eagles have a lot of holes on both sides of the ball, but adding a talented playmaker like Chase is a step in the right direction for the future. With the addition of a new coaching staff and Ja’Marr Chase, the Eagles offense should be a lot better in 2021.   

Cincinnati Bengals 

My favorite fit for Ja’Marr Chase on this list would have to be the Cincinnati Bengals. Who wouldn’t want to see Ja’Marr Chase reunited with his former college quarterback Joe Burrow? I do believe that the Bengals’ most important need as of right now is building their offensive line, but maybe that’s addressed during free agency. Adding Chase to the Bengals roster would give the Bengals the best offense we have seen from them in some time. There’s no question the Bengals’ offense needs to be better in 2021. 

Passing Ranks of Cincinnati Bengals (Pro Football Reference):

Passing Yards: 27th 

Passing Touchdowns: 27th 

Yards P/A: 28th 

An offensive core of Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, Joe Mixon, Ja’Marr Chase, and Joe Burrow would be a nightmare for defensive coordinators. The last time we saw Chase and Burrow together, they went 15-0 and won a national championship. Let’s not forget that Chase’s breakout 2019 season happened with Burrow under center. These two have chemistry together, and Burrow knows how to bring out the best in his former teammate. 

Below is the regular-season production of the Bengals starting WRs last year:

Tee Higgins: 67-908-6

Tyler Boyd: 79-841-4

A.J. Green: 47-523-2

While wide receiver may not be the Bengals’ biggest need this off-season, they are projected to lose A.J. Green in free agency. Green was once a star for the Bengals, but now at age 32, Green will most likely take his talents somewhere else this off-season. Green was a starter for the Bengals last year, and they are going to need to fill that role with someone else. Why not fill that spot with one of the best wide receiver prospects we have seen in some time.  

I do believe the Bengals may also miss out on the Penei Sewell sweepstakes at pick number five. The offensive line is the biggest need for the Bengals at the moment. But with them most likely missing out on Sewell, Chase is the best available player that is projected to be available. Reuniting Chase with Joe Burrow is going to be hard for the Bengals to pass up. Drafting Chase would give the Bengals a trio of stars at wide receiver. 

New York Giants

The Giants are also looking for a number one receiver this off-season. The Giants 2020 season started off very rocky, but they got into a groove mid-season and finished the year off strong. One game away from making the playoffs and winning the division last year, the Giants will look to add playmakers around Daniel Jones this off-season. That playmaker could very well be Ja’Marr Chase.

Chase would give the Giants offense exactly what they are looking for. A dominant receiver who can get open at will and make Daniel Jones’s life easier. The Giants already drafted a tackle last year, and the defense doesn’t look to have as many holes as the offense does. The Giants should look to draft a wide receiver in this year’s draft, and if Chase falls, they would be getting exactly what this team needs.

Passing Ranks of New York Giants  (Pro Football Reference):

Passing Yards: 29^th

Passing Touchdowns: 31^st

Yards P/A: 29^th

If the Giants want to be in contention for winning the NFC East next season, they are going to need to surround Daniel Jones with more talent. The Giants were ranked as the 29^th best offense last season. That ranking needs to be improved in 2021 and landing Ja’Marr Chase certainly helps that. Darius Slayton has shown so far he is a talented receiver, but he’s not a dominant number one receiver that the Giants need. Chase would slot in and be the Giants best receiver from day one.

 Below is the regular season production of the Giants starting WRs last year:

Darius Slayton: 50-751-3

Sterling Shepard: 66-656-3

Golden Tate: 35-388-2

Surrounding Daniel Jones with a playmaker like Ja’Marr Chase will bring the Giants offense to another level in 2021. An offense consisting of Saquon Barkley, Darius Slayton, Evan Engram, Ja’Marr Chase, Sterling Shepard, and Daniel Jones in 2021 sounds very promising. The Giants showed their defense was improved last season from 2019, it should be their priority to get Daniel Jones the help he and the offense needs this off-season.   

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