Bengals barely survive the kiddie pool. Is it sink or swim vs. Ravens?
Can Joe Burrow (9) steer the Bengals past Lamar Jackson (8) and the Ravens? The season might depend on it. (Mike Bass Photo)
By Mike Bass
mbass@mikebasscoaching.com
I found the Joe Burrow. He was riding a Bengal tiger.
My son and I were visiting the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee recently, and I made sure to take a picture of the Burrow. It was located next to the Lamar Jackson bobblehead. Of course, it was.
They are division rivals, the quarterbacks who faced Kansas City in the last three AFC title games. (Only Burrow won one versus Patrick Mahomes. Just saying.)
Now Burrow and Jackson will match up again, this time in a key game for surging Baltimore after a slow start, but a defining game for the recovering Bengals after a slower start. So I posted the bobblehead photo in our day-after-game X chat Monday and simply asked how you are doing after the Carolina win, heading into the Baltimore game.
At least one of you noticed.
“I like how the Burrow bobble head is throwing the ball,” @Omelly26 wrote, “while LamaRB bobble head is tucking it and running.”
Why not have a little fun during Ravens Week? Smiles come easier after a win Sunday, even a flawed win at 31-21. It feels good to exhale. Imagine breathing through 0-4.
Oh-no-and-3 was bad enough. It was so bad that @BengalsMike questioned how anyone could take the Bengals seriously the rest of the season, then turned to X to elaborate: “The Bengals have done this having to open against the 3 worst teams in the league last season (plus Kansas City) and ... the best they can hope for is 1-3. Any top team with that start should be 3-1 at worst.”
Point taken. Still, when 1-3 is the life preserver that keeps you from drowning in the kiddie pool, you wear it. The ensuing 10-point hasn’t left you feeling a perfect-10 about the Bengals entering Ravens week, but, hey, you’ll take it.
“A solid 4,” @toasted_nerd1 wrote.
“The win was much-needed and they showed up like they do when the pressure is on,” @JNJournalist wrote. “I’d say my confidence level is at a solid 6 against the Ravens. But they’re going to need to bring even more fire to the field this week.”
“It shouldn't have been that close honestly,” @StevenCrowtown wrote with a so-so-gesture GIF. “After seeing Derrick Henry blow past the Bills last night though I'm scared Henry will go for 300 yards against us.”
Time to reenter the adult pool, folks.
No wonder you might be feeling uncomfortable.
@Kevin_fieger posted a GIF that said, “NOPE NOT GOOD.”
“Nervous,” @JayIce94 wrote.
I am, too.
We talk a lot here about honoring your feelings. You see what you see, you interpret what you see, and that affects how you feel. It is not my place to tell you to be encouraged or discouraged, but you can enhance your Bengaldom by leaning into what works for you.
If you want a lift, consider that the last foray into the deep end was the Chiefs game and the Bengals’ best performance of the season. If it overinflates your expectations, remember it was a loss.
If you want some comfort, remember that the Bengals endured unimpressive early-season wins in the past before breaking out behind a healthier Burrow.
“#JackpotJoey is back,” @JeffATrennepohl wrote, citing Burrow’s statistics the last three games. “I think the offense is ready for godly things. Let’s beat the Ravens.”
If you want a sobering thought, consider that the Bengals lost two of those three games. Burrow is not the biggest issue. Neither is the offense. The defense is. Again.
“Very confident about this offense,” @dwazagul wrote, “but we're going to need a pick or two from the defense.
“Offense has to score 38, need Lamar to give 2 or more turnovers/bad plays to us,” @mlxfl wrote. “Defense has to force FGs at some point. That said, it's doable, but they will have to play their best game since the 49er game last season. If they do win, then it's off to the races.”
“Defense going to make the flip this week,” @Ballerzzz81 wrote. “Bengals will win.”
The Bengals started 1-3 last season and won four straight. Which was good. Then they fell to Houston before losing Burrow for the season during a loss to Baltimore. Which was bad. Then Jake Browning eventually emerged. More good. But the Bengals missed the playoffs. More bad.
What does it all mean?
What does it all mean to you?
Personally, I am disappointed in how the Bengals have started, because I expected better. A seemingly easy early schedule was a bit of a mirage, because teams can evolve or devolve from year to year and the opening weeks of any season tend to be unpredictable ... but 0-3? No way.
Going 0-4 with that schedule would have felt like Super Bowl elimination. Going 1-4 with a division loss would feel almost as dire. The Bengals’ finishing kicks are part of their allure in these roaring-back ’20s, but their starts are getting slower and harder to overcome.
The Ravens opened 0-2, which seems like The Bengal Starter Kit. Then they almost blew a big lead to Dallas before blowing away Buffalo. Wouldn’t the Bengals love to take a similar path from 0-3 to 2-3? Wouldn’t you love any win that leaves the Bengals and Baltimore 2-3?
As @BengalsMike pointed out, the Bengals face six of the seven teams with the worst 2023 records. Call it a consolation prize for finishing last in the North. Three remain, starting with the New York Giants next week.
I am trying to stay present in the moment and see the bigger picture. You can do both. This game is more than just one of 17. This game has a deeper meaning. I am trying to be realistic. The Bengals are underdogs at home. They are not playing well. They need to play better.
“There’s work to do,” @rschwab828 wrote.
They needed to beat Carolina and did. They probably need to win this week, too. The Bengals can’t just ride Joe Burrow. They need to ride each other.
Try making a bobblehead out of that.