It’s so hard to say a team can beat the two-time defending champs. Especially since playoffs are completely different than the regular season. We saw the Bengals choke their first game in the playoffs after their first-round bye. We saw the Titans do the exact opposite as they dominated. But the Bengals are better than they were last season. They actually have a defense.
You know the saying defense wins championships. The Bengals shut that up with their explosive offense last year. They would eventually have the MVP (Joe Burrow), OPOTY (Jamar Chase), and leading rusher (Joe Mixon). But their defense was always suspect. It would be a glaring weakness and would ultimately cost them in the playoffs against the Colts, not being able to get a stop. Specifically, the run game. Jonathan Taylor gave them problems. And in the offseason, the Bengals knew that it needed to be addressed. Although they did not bring in any big names like the Rams did with Chris Jones, the Bengals are doing amazing on defense. With run defense, something they struggled with, they rank 3rd in the league. Very impressive. In total defensive yards, they rank 3rd. Yes, you read that correctly. One of the best offenses in the league has a top-3 defense right now. Yikes.
If they can continue this pace, how far can they go? I won’t say what I believe until their matchup in week 8. Actually, forget it. I’m going to say it. The Bengals will shock the world and beat the Titans in the AFC Championship game. This means that we will have the Bengals vs 49ers in the Super Bowl. The Cousin Bowl (they are cousins). Go Bengals!
©Any Given Sunday News