D
isaster has struck the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite a 2-0 start to the season, the Bengals’ 2025 season has quickly started to unravel since Joe Burrow’s week two injury, with team losing six out of their last seven contests and currently fighting to stay alive in the AFC playoff chase. And while injuries to key players have certainly been a major problem, it has been the poor play of the defense that has majorly contributed to the Bengals being in this position.
And in their latest loss– a week nine defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bears— the defense fell apart yet again en route to the Bengals losing their second straight game and falling to 3-6. Up 42-41 with under 30 seconds to go, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams completed a pass to tight end Colston Loveland that ended with Loveland breaking a tackle and taking the ball 58 yards into the end zone for the game winning score. Losing because of another defensive blunder, things have gotten so bad in Cincinnati, that players are starting to turn on each other.
Bengals’ Postgame Comments
The Bengals entered the season with lofty expectations, hoping to avoid a slow start and return to the playoffs after missing it for two straight seasons. And while the offense has gotten considerably better since the team acquired Joe Flacco to play in place of Burrow, the defense still has faced major issues– ranking at the bottom of the league in almost every major category. And in a game that was very winnable, the defense collapsed badly once again en route to another loss. And players on the offense are starting to get very frustrated with how the defense has been playing, especially since it is costing the team valuable wins.
“You know we just have to play complementary football,” running back Chase Brown said after the game. “We put the ball in the end zone and go up a point at the end, finish the f–king game, just end it. That’s what we need to do, just end the f–king game…. That’s how I feel.”
Brown is not the only player on the Bengals who has voiced his displeasure. After the game, star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was caught expressing his frustrations while walking back to the locker room.
“One f–king stop,” Chase said.
Will the Bengals Make Any Changes?
Now on a bye week, the Bengals will utilize the time off to rest and regroup so that they can return for the final eight games of the season refreshed and ready to go. Expecting to get Burrow back possibly around December, the Bengals are hoping that they can turn their season around and go on a run so that Burrow returns in time for the late season push. But with the defense playing as bad as it is, questions have arisen as to whether or not the Bengals would make any staff changes during the bye week to help the team get back on track– including whether or not Al Golden’s job as the defensive coordinator was safe. But head coach Zac Taylor shot that down, expressing his belief in his coaching staff.
“Working like crazy,” Taylor said on Golden. “He’s a great football coach. He’s doing everything he can to uncover every single stone to make us play better. I think we’re all sick for the way these games have gone, him probably as much as anybody else on this planet. I trust in him, I trust in the staff.”
The later it gets into the season, the harder things will get for the Bengals. Facing strong offenses such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens (twice) and Buffalo Bills, the Bengals have an uphill battle if they want to see their season turn around. Improving the defense will be vital if the Bengals want to win those games.
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