Betsided

It's Time to Give Up on the Cincinnati Bengals

By Iain MacMillan

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor talks to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) in
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor talks to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) in / Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY
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The Cincinnati Bengals suffered their third loss of the season on Sunday night when they fell to the Baltimore Ravens, and it's time to sell your stock on the defending Super Bowl champions.

It's not like they're just losing in coin-flip games, their numbers and statistics are down across the board.

Before I tear this team apart, let's look at their latest odds.

Cincinnati Bengals Odds to Win AFC and Super Bowl

Fade the Bengals Until Further Notice

The Bengals were one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL last season, but they've been tamed by less-than-stellar defenses through the first five games of the NFL season.

Let's take a look at where they rank in several major statistics:

  • Yards per play: 31st
  • Yards per rush: 30th
  • Yards per pass attempt: 18th
  • Red zone offense: 19th
  • QB sacked percentage: 27th
  • Turnovers per game: 18th

To be the defending AFC champions and being last in the conference and second last in the league in yards per play is downright embarrassing.

It's not like they have the same excuse like the Rams do, where they can point to how good the defenses are that they've faced. Let's look at where their first five opponents rank in opponent yards per play.

  • Steelers: 24th
  • Cowboys: 5th
  • Jets: 10th
  • Dolphins: 29th
  • Ravens: 27th

Sure, the Cowboys defense is good and the Jets have been better than people expected, but their three other opponents rank in the bottom 10 in the NFL in opponent yards per play! How are the Bengals not moving the ball at will against these teams?

Cincinnati had supposedly revamped their offensive line in the offseason, signing Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, and La'el Collins. I was one of the several people in media who went on and on about how dangerous their offense will be now that they have a competent offensive line.

Well, their 30th ranking in yards per carry and 27th ranking in QB sacked percentage has determined that was a lie.

I'm no longer "buying low" on the Bengals. Now, I'm selling low. They're done. Cooked. Finished.

Fade this team until further notice, starting with their game this Sunday against the Saints.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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