Are the Cincinnati Bengals in trouble?

The Cincinnati Bengals have not gotten off to the best start in 2023. Back-to-back losses to division rivals have Cincinnati reeling while the season is still relatively young.

This is an offense that has appeared very broken, as it took the very end of the 3rd quarter in Week 2 to score their first offensive touchdown of the season. To say this is concerning is an understatement. The Bengals offense features elite players at multiple positions, and it took nearly seven quarters to find the end zone for the first time this season.

While the Bengals’ offense did come to life late in Sunday’s 27-24 loss to Baltimore, they still have one of the worst passing attacks in the league. Cincinnati ranks 29th in total passing yards with just 304 in the first two games of the season. That number is even worse considering that the three teams behind them in passing yardage total all play on Monday night. To call this embarrassing seems accurate, but perhaps pathetic is more fitting, all things considered.

An injury that could change everything for the Bengals’ outlook

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow reaggravated his calf injury from this past offseason. This puts his status for next Monday night’s game in doubt, according to head coach Zac Taylor. It is hard to imagine an offense that is already struggling with Burrow in the lineup finding a way to be successful without their franchise signal caller.

Burrow’s calf injury is something that is going to be an issue for the remainder of the season. Calf injuries like Burrow’s linger for long periods, and the only time it will heal properly will be after the season is over.

It is getting late early in Cincinnati as they have dropped their first two games of the season. Missing Burrow for any length of time would almost certainly end any type of playoff pursuit. Having that happen now at 0-2 would almost be a death sentence for this season. Even though the Bengals made the playoffs last year after starting 0-2, this is not a sustainable and/or repeatable path to the postseason.