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CINCINNATI — A lot of the discuss this week in Cincinnati revolved across the conversations contained in the constructing because the Bengals attempt to rebound from a befuddling 0-3 begin.
Quarterback Joe Burrow, not recognized for being an overtly vocal chief, stated he was mulling over occasions to select his spots to talk up extra forward of Sunday’s highway sport towards the Carolina Panthers. Huge receiver Ja’Marr Chase stated he prefers to guide by instance — and whereas it isn’t most well-liked, he’ll share his ideas to his teammates if wanted.
Regardless of the strategy, coach Zac Taylor stated the conversations with gamers all through the week have been encouraging because the crew prepares for a crucial contest.
“I’ve talked to loads of guys within the final 48 hours to verify we’re not off course,” Taylor stated. “So I bought loads of confidence in our management in our crew.”
Cincinnati is already dealing with steep odds. Simply six groups which have began the season 0-3 within the Tremendous Bowl period have reached the postseason, in keeping with ESPN Analysis. The final crew to beat that form of begin was the 2018 Houston Texans, which was earlier than the NFL expanded the common season in 2021 to a 17-game schedule.
Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt stated the practices this week have been targeted and displayed the right sense of urgency as Cincinnati tries to get well from its worst begin to a season since 2019. That was Pratt’s rookie yr and Taylor’s first season with the crew, when the Bengals misplaced their first 11 video games and ultimately completed with the league’s worst report.
“It is urgency however not panic,” Pratt advised ESPN on Friday.
Carolina (1-2) is coming off its first win, led by quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton was Cincinnati’s franchise quarterback from 2011 to 2019. He was changed in 2020 after the Bengals drafted Burrow with the primary total choose that yr.
Sunday might be Dalton’s fourth matchup towards the Bengals. All 4 have been with totally different groups (Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints). Dalton’s groups have received two of these three conferences.
The line of defense tasked with stopping Dalton is not going to be at full power. Defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill missed final week’s sport with hamstring accidents. On Friday, Taylor dominated Rankins out and stated Hill might be uncertain for the second consecutive sport.
There was a glimmer of excellent information, nevertheless. Defensive finish Trey Hendrickson, a three-time Professional Bowler and one of many league’s finest cross rushers, practiced on Friday and might be good for Sunday’s sport after lacking two practices this week with an undisclosed sickness. Hendrickson has the NFL’s second-highest cross rush win fee as an edge rusher at 33.3% (ESPN metric powered by NFL Subsequent Gen Stats).
