At 3-5 and out of the AFC playoff picture entering Week 9, the Cincinnati Bengals are facing a critical part of their schedule as the calendar turns to November.Speaking after Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, their fourth home defeat of the season, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said the Bengals will likely have to win seven of their final nine games to reach the postseason.That stretch of chances will begin Sunday, as the Las Vegas Raiders visit Paycor Stadium for a matchup with the Bengals.Below are several storylines to watch as the Bengals seek their first home victory of the season on Sunday afternoon. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. ET.A must-win game?Following a 37-17 defeat to the Eagles last week, Burrow had an urgent tone during his weekly press conference on Wednesday.As the Raiders prepare to visit Paycor Stadium on Sunday, Burrow called the Week 9 game a “must-win” for Cincinnati as the Bengals attempt to position themselves as contenders in the second half of the season.”We got to go out and put on a show, do what we need to do and get a win at home,” Burrow said.Last Sunday’s game against the Eagles started great for Burrow and the Bengals, who scored on their first drive that took more than 10 minutes.Cincinnati got a field goal from Evan McPherson late in the second quarter but the offense was held in check for much of the game afterwards, with Burrow completing 26 of 37 passes for one touchdown and one interception in the 37-17 loss.”I think you can say this shouldn’t be where we are but this is where we’re at,” Burrow said of the Bengals’ 3-5 start to the season. “You got to adapt to the situation that presents itself and this is the situation that we find ourselves in. We know what we have to do going forward and we’re going to attack that challenge to the best of our ability.”Through eight games, Burrow has been among the NFL’s best quarterbacks, tossing 15 touchdowns and just three interceptions, while completing 70.3 percent of his passes.With the Bengals needing a win against the 2-6 Raiders on Sunday, Burrow’s Pro-Bowl caliber start will need to continue for the Bengals to notch a much-needed victory.Crosby’s impactLosers of four consecutive games, the 2-6 Raiders are in the midst of a tough stretch as they travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals.Offensively, the Raiders’ 18 points per game is 26th in the NFL, while the team has gone back-and-forth at quarterback this season with veteran Gardner Minshew and second-year pro Aidan O’Connell.Regardless of that slow start, the Raiders will still enter Sunday’s game with one of the NFL’s best defensive players opposite Burrow and the Bengals’ offensive line: defensive end Maxx Crosby.Crosby, 27, enters Week 9 tied for seventh in the NFL with 6.5 sacks this season. He is a three-time Pro Bowler since breaking into the league in 2019.”They’re very solid defensively, they mix up the coverages,” Burrow said. “They got Maxx Crosby, he’s going to be able to put pressure on the passer, he’s going to make big plays in the run game. You have to limit his ability to affect the game, so we’ll be ready for that.”Crosby’s ability to impact the opposing team’s plan on offense is a key part of the Raiders’ defensive attack, though veteran defensive tackle Christian Wilkins also plays a critical role for Las Vegas, registering two sacks this season.Defensive bounce back?The Bengals defense, led by veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, has drawn the ire of fans throughout the season as a campaign of inconsistency continues.After a tough five-game start to the season that saw the Bengals give up more than 25 points on three occasions, the Bengals kept both the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns to 14 or less in back-to-back wins, offering hope that the defensive unit may be turning things around as the season went along.Then quarterback Jalen Hurts had four total touchdowns as the Eagles dropped 37 points on the Bengals last Sunday, reigniting concerns about the long-term success of the Bengals’ defense.The Raiders could present an opportunity for Anarumo’s group to get back on track, however. Led by Minshew, the Raiders rank 26th in points per game.Las Vegas has particularly struggled running the ball, with the Raiders ranked 31st in rushing yards per game. Alexander Mattison leads the group with 265 yards and Zamir White has collected 164 yards.Following the trade of Davante Adams to the New York Jets, the Raiders have leaned more on rookie tight end Brock Bowers, whose 52 receptions and 535 yards per game both lead the team.In losing each of their last four games, the Raiders have not passed the 20-point mark once, setting the Bengals up for potential success if the team’s defensive playmakers can produce to their capabilities on Sunday afternoon.Injury reportThree offensive starters for the Bengals are unlikely to play on Sunday against the Raiders due to injuries.Wide receiver Tee Higgins, left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and running back Zack Moss did not practice on Friday for Cincinnati and are officially listed as doubtful to play on Sunday.Two more players, safety Geno Stone and wide receiver Charlie Jones, are listed as questionable to play due to groin and shin injuries, respectively.Higgins was a late addition to the injury report last week after sustaining a quad injury in practice. He was inactive for Sunday’s game against Philadelphia, marking the third game he’s missed this season.Brown, who has been battling a right knee injury, did play in last Sunday’s game but left the game late in the first half and did not return.Through five games this season, Higgins has hauled in 29 catches for 341 yards and three touchdowns.If Brown is unable to suit up for the Bengals on Sunday, Cody Ford will likely draw the start opposite Raiders Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby.As for Moss, the veteran running back popped up on the injury report Friday with a neck injury, casting doubt on his status for Sunday’s game.Other Notes-Sunday’s game will see the return of longtime Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis to Paycor Stadium. Lewis, the winningest coach in Bengals history with 131 victories, coached Cincinnati from 2003-18. He is now an assistant with the Raiders, serving as an advisor to Las Vegas first-year head coach Antonio Pierce.-This is the first meeting between the two teams since the Bengals defeated the Raiders in the AFC Wild Card round during the playoffs of the 2021 season. The win marked the Bengals’ first playoff victory since 1990 and led to the team’s run to Super Bowl LVI.
At 3-5 and out of the AFC playoff picture entering Week 9, the Cincinnati Bengals are facing a critical part of their schedule as the calendar turns to November.
Speaking after Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, their fourth home defeat of the season, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said the Bengals will likely have to win seven of their final nine games to reach the postseason.
That stretch of chances will begin Sunday, as the Las Vegas Raiders visit Paycor Stadium for a matchup with the Bengals.
Below are several storylines to watch as the Bengals seek their first home victory of the season on Sunday afternoon. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. ET.
A must-win game?
Following a 37-17 defeat to the Eagles last week, Burrow had an urgent tone during his weekly press conference on Wednesday.
As the Raiders prepare to visit Paycor Stadium on Sunday, Burrow called the Week 9 game a “must-win” for Cincinnati as the Bengals attempt to position themselves as contenders in the second half of the season.
“We got to go out and put on a show, do what we need to do and get a win at home,” Burrow said.
Last Sunday’s game against the Eagles started great for Burrow and the Bengals, who scored on their first drive that took more than 10 minutes.
Cincinnati got a field goal from Evan McPherson late in the second quarter but the offense was held in check for much of the game afterwards, with Burrow completing 26 of 37 passes for one touchdown and one interception in the 37-17 loss.
“I think you can say this shouldn’t be where we are but this is where we’re at,” Burrow said of the Bengals’ 3-5 start to the season. “You got to adapt to the situation that presents itself and this is the situation that we find ourselves in. We know what we have to do going forward and we’re going to attack that challenge to the best of our ability.”
Through eight games, Burrow has been among the NFL’s best quarterbacks, tossing 15 touchdowns and just three interceptions, while completing 70.3 percent of his passes.
With the Bengals needing a win against the 2-6 Raiders on Sunday, Burrow’s Pro-Bowl caliber start will need to continue for the Bengals to notch a much-needed victory.
Crosby’s impact
Losers of four consecutive games, the 2-6 Raiders are in the midst of a tough stretch as they travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals.
Offensively, the Raiders’ 18 points per game is 26th in the NFL, while the team has gone back-and-forth at quarterback this season with veteran Gardner Minshew and second-year pro Aidan O’Connell.
Regardless of that slow start, the Raiders will still enter Sunday’s game with one of the NFL’s best defensive players opposite Burrow and the Bengals’ offensive line: defensive end Maxx Crosby.
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Crosby, 27, enters Week 9 tied for seventh in the NFL with 6.5 sacks this season. He is a three-time Pro Bowler since breaking into the league in 2019.
“They’re very solid defensively, they mix up the coverages,” Burrow said. “They got Maxx Crosby, he’s going to be able to put pressure on the passer, he’s going to make big plays in the run game. You have to limit his ability to affect the game, so we’ll be ready for that.”
Crosby’s ability to impact the opposing team’s plan on offense is a key part of the Raiders’ defensive attack, though veteran defensive tackle Christian Wilkins also plays a critical role for Las Vegas, registering two sacks this season.
Defensive bounce back?
The Bengals defense, led by veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, has drawn the ire of fans throughout the season as a campaign of inconsistency continues.
After a tough five-game start to the season that saw the Bengals give up more than 25 points on three occasions, the Bengals kept both the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns to 14 or less in back-to-back wins, offering hope that the defensive unit may be turning things around as the season went along.
Then quarterback Jalen Hurts had four total touchdowns as the Eagles dropped 37 points on the Bengals last Sunday, reigniting concerns about the long-term success of the Bengals’ defense.
The Raiders could present an opportunity for Anarumo’s group to get back on track, however. Led by Minshew, the Raiders rank 26th in points per game.
Las Vegas has particularly struggled running the ball, with the Raiders ranked 31st in rushing yards per game. Alexander Mattison leads the group with 265 yards and Zamir White has collected 164 yards.
Following the trade of Davante Adams to the New York Jets, the Raiders have leaned more on rookie tight end Brock Bowers, whose 52 receptions and 535 yards per game both lead the team.
In losing each of their last four games, the Raiders have not passed the 20-point mark once, setting the Bengals up for potential success if the team’s defensive playmakers can produce to their capabilities on Sunday afternoon.
Injury report
Three offensive starters for the Bengals are unlikely to play on Sunday against the Raiders due to injuries.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins, left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and running back Zack Moss did not practice on Friday for Cincinnati and are officially listed as doubtful to play on Sunday.
Two more players, safety Geno Stone and wide receiver Charlie Jones, are listed as questionable to play due to groin and shin injuries, respectively.
Higgins was a late addition to the injury report last week after sustaining a quad injury in practice. He was inactive for Sunday’s game against Philadelphia, marking the third game he’s missed this season.
Brown, who has been battling a right knee injury, did play in last Sunday’s game but left the game late in the first half and did not return.
Through five games this season, Higgins has hauled in 29 catches for 341 yards and three touchdowns.
If Brown is unable to suit up for the Bengals on Sunday, Cody Ford will likely draw the start opposite Raiders Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby.
As for Moss, the veteran running back popped up on the injury report Friday with a neck injury, casting doubt on his status for Sunday’s game.
Other Notes
-Sunday’s game will see the return of longtime Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis to Paycor Stadium. Lewis, the winningest coach in Bengals history with 131 victories, coached Cincinnati from 2003-18. He is now an assistant with the Raiders, serving as an advisor to Las Vegas first-year head coach Antonio Pierce.
-This is the first meeting between the two teams since the Bengals defeated the Raiders in the AFC Wild Card round during the playoffs of the 2021 season. The win marked the Bengals’ first playoff victory since 1990 and led to the team’s run to Super Bowl LVI.
