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The NFL fined a Browns player for his actions after his interception off Joe Burrow
The Cincinnati Bengals have been unsuccessful in the past few seasons in contending for a Super Bowl.
This is largely in part due to their defensive woes. However, ESPN Reporter Ben Baby detailed what the Bengals need to get back to in order to start contending for Super Bowls again.
“One big thing the Cincinnati Bengals did in 2021, when the team reached the Super Bowl, was something the best teams this season also had in common–They created big plays.” Baby wrote in an ESPN article.
“Three of the four teams that reached this year’s conference championships were among the league leaders in percentage of plays that gained 20 or more yards. That included the Seattle Seahawks, who took down the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.”
The Cincinnati Bengals Have Been Limited in Downfield Plays
Over the past few seasons, the Cincinnati Bengals haven’t been as explosive down the field as they once were. This is largely due to Joe Burrow not being on the field in past two seasons.
According to Ben Baby’s article, the Bengals have lacked explosiveness even when Burrow is on the field.
“The Bengals’ rate of big plays has plummeted, even when quarterback Joe Burrow has been healthy. Opponents have limited Burrow’s ability to find star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on downfield targets.” Baby wrote.
Despite the Bengals not having downfield success, Chase and Higgins are still putting up good numbers individually. Chase is coming off a vintage 2025 season where he was named First Team All-Pro, hauling in 125 catches for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns. Tee Higgins had 59 catches for 846 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in 15 games.
“[Joe] Burrow praised the way coach Zac Taylor and his staff have been able to find ways to get Chase and Higgins the ball.” Baby wrote. “Both players had productive seasons coming off massive contract extensions. Chase had 125 receptions on a league-high 185 targets and was named an All-Pro for the second straight year. Higgins led the AFC with 11 receiving touchdowns and was named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement.”
Teams Are Game-Planning Against Ja’Marr Chase
Ja’Marr Chase has been a nightmare for defenders since he came into the league. As a result, opponents have been double-teaming the former triple crown winner.
“You can’t just let teams double (Chase and Higgins) and then say, ‘Those guys are out of the game plan now,’” Burrow said at the end of last season. “They’re too good of players to think that way. You still have to find ways to get them the ball.” Joe Burrow is quoted as saying in Baby’s article.
“In 2021, Cincinnati was sixth in the NFL in percentage of offensive plays that gained 20 or more yards, according to ESPN Research. The rankings following that season — 17th, 27th, 21st, 20th.”
In order for Cincinnati to get where they need to be, they need to get back to those explosive plays. Those explosive plays played a big role in getting Cincy to the Super Bowl.
Teams that have won recently have shown their big-play capability including teams in the 2025 playoffs. If Cincy can get back to those big plays, watch out.
DeonTay Smith is a journalist who covers the NFL for Heavy.com with a focus on the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and the Baltimore Ravens. A graduate from Methodist University, Smith also covers local news for the Panama City News Herald and hosts his own YouTube podcast. More about DeonTay Smith
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