The Bengals' season is already over
originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Cincinnati Bengals are a team floating face down in the water, and it's only a matter of time before someone discovers the body. They are a team being led by people incapable of leading, and the absence of their universal solvent quarterback is making all of their flaws more glaring by the week – all of which have come painfully to light over the last two weeks.

The Bengals were outgained by the Denver Broncos 512-159 on Monday night, and it somehow felt more lopsided. They averaged 3.7 yards per play to Denver's 6.4, and they have now been outscored 76-13 over the last two weeks. In that same span, they've accumulated just 330 yards of offense and have scored just one touchdown while getting boat raced by two teams who rank in the bottom 12 of the NFL in EPA per play.

Trading for a quarterback won't fix the issues Cincinnati has. Russell Wilson won't improve the complete lack of defense. Teddy Bridgewater isn't fixing the issue at head coach. 

That brings us to Zac Taylor, who Ja'Marr Chase gets visibly more frustrated with by the week, and it's only a matter of time before things boil over. It's abundantly clear that Taylor is in over his head and scapegoated Lou Anarumo for all the issues with the Bengals in 2024. Cincinnati's defense is far worse off with Al Golden calling the shots, and it's time for Mike Brown and Co. to read the very clear writing on the wall.

Joe Burrow is Spiderman holding the Bengals' train on the tracks, and even then, the team's ceiling has become evidently low because of who is under the headset.

Numbers can tell a lot of stories, but there are things that they can't measure. There isn't a statistic for how much pride a team has, how much fight they show despite being outmanned and outgunned. There isn't an EPA for leadership, there isn't a success rate for heart, but it doesn't take a genius to see the Bengals have precisely none of it. The season is already lost, and the focus should now shift to finding the perfect head coach candidate for when Zac Taylor is inevitably fired.

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

More NFL news:

• Pro Bowl cornerback could save Ravens season via trade

• What Texans' trade of Cam Robinson means to Houston
• A.J. Brown sends ominous message following Eagles' Week 4 win over Bucs
• Colts WR has severe mental blunder that costs Indianapolis crucial touchdown
• Bills RB James Cook breaks long-time record with latest touchdown

#Bengals039 #season