The Cincinnati Bengals have had a terrible start to the 2024 season. Cincinnati is 0-3 and faces a monumental climb if they want to save their season. Only four teams that started 0-3 since 1990 have made the playoffswhich gives the Bengals about a 2.5% chance. Those are slim odds, and it might actually be tougher in a crowded AFC conference.
There are, however, reasons to hope. The AFC North is still completely up in the air, as Baltimore and Cleveland have each won just one game so far this season. Pittsburgh is a perfect 3-0, but it’s fair to wonder how long they can keep that streak going with Justin Fields under center. That doesn’t mean Cincinnati’s return to relevance is easy, but it’s entirely possible.
It could all start with a must-win game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4.
The Bengals need to get the win in the worst way possible. They face a depleted Panthers team that, heading into Week 3, looked completely helpless on both sides of the ball. This is shaping up to be a game that Cincinnati should dominate from wire to wire. Not only because they are desperate to win, but also because they seem to outscore their opponent up and down the depth chart.
Can Cincinnati make it happen?
Below, we’ll discuss three bold predictions from the Bengals ahead of the extremely important Week 4 matchup against the Panthers.
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Bengals QB Joe Burrow destroys poor Panthers defense for monster game
The Bengals finally looked like themselves on offense in Week 3. That should continue in Week 4, despite the short week.
The Panthers currently have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. They are devoid of talent on defense, and it doesn’t help that Derrick Brown is on injured reserve.
Carolina has allowed an average of over 350 yards per game so far this season. You can almost guarantee an opponent will stay in rhythm offensively against the Panthers. This is exactly what I expect on Sunday.
My prediction: The Bengals, led by quarterback Joe Burrow, will devastate the Panthers on defense. Burrow will throw for over 300 yards and at least three passing touchdowns. Expect the Bengals to come up with a game plan designed to outrun the Panthers early and continue to punish them throughout the afternoon. Cincinnati will throw the proverbial kitchen sink at Carolina, and they aren’t a good enough defense to withstand it.
Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton performs so-so, failing to replicate his Week 3 success
Andy Dalton played the role of hero for the Panthers in Week 3. Dalton immediately turned Carolina’s season around with a 36-22 win over the Raiders.
Dalton passed for 319 yards and three touchdowns, marching the Panthers down the field drive after drive. If we learned anything from Week 3, it’s that Bryce Young was likely holding the Panthers back. This is more of an issue to be determined on Dalton until we see more.
To be clear, this was an impressive performance from Dalton. However, I don’t see him being able to repeat that against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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My prediction: Dalton’s production returns to Earth. He didn’t throw for more than 300 passing yards and had at least one turnover against the Cincinnati defense.
The Bengals earn their first victory of the season, beating the Panthers by two touchdowns.
This prediction doesn’t seem as bold as I usually like to make it. However, it’s hard to pick a game that goes in another direction.
The Bengals need this win a lot more than the Panthers need. This would seem like a wild statement to anyone who read it just a week ago, but it’s true.
To get a little superstitious, in my experience teams tend to have “disappointing” games after huge emotional wins, especially in the NFL. I predict this phenomenon plays directly against the Panthers, who saved their season in Week 3 thanks to a heroic effort from quarterback Andy Dalton. They won’t be so lucky two weeks in a row.
My prediction: The Bengals earn their first win of the season, eliminating the Panthers by at least two touchdowns in a lopsided affair. This could end up being one of those games that is decided in the second or third quarter, but ends up getting close to the box score due to unnecessary time points.
