Folks, we are just a few short days away from the 2022 NFL Season and I could not be more amped. With all the off-season moves along with other teams returning most of their talent, it is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory. Today, I am going to preview my team, the Bengals, and give my predictions on what the season looks like for the defending AFC champs.
Many in the national media do not know what to make of the Bengals. They came out of nowhere last season (preseason O/U 6.5 wins) to win the AFC North and make the Super Bowl. It often takes longer for people to adjust their opinions on a team they have been low on for a long period of time. Since the Super Bowl loss, there have been a lot of “I like their roster, but they’re the Bengals.” And trust me, I get it. That was the feeling for most local fans even last year before the playoff run. A constant feeling of “in the end something will go wrong and we will lose.” I’m 24 and had never seen them win a playoff game in my life. The difference is: these are not the Bengals I grew up with. They’ve gone out and spent on external free agents (Hendrickson, Hilton, Awuzie, Collins, Cappa, etc.), something that was a foreign concept to the organization in the 2000’s and 2010’s. They fired Marvin Lewis and brought in a young offensive mind that was in touch with where the league was headed in Zac Taylor. When everyone told them they should be banned from the league for “malpractice” if they passed on Penei Sewell, they didn’t care. They saw where the league was headed and the need to stack dominant pass catchers. The Bengals drafted Ja’Marr Chase who put up the best rookie WR season since Randy Moss, and then watched as the rest of the league took 6 WRs in the top 18 picks of the 2022 Draft, traded hauls of picks for Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, and AJ Brown, and overpaid WRs such as Christian Kirk. For the first time, Cincinnati is ahead of the curve and there is no reason to expect they won’t stay that way.
Joe Burrow noted in preseason press conferences that they fully expect teams to play more two high safety looks against them this year in order to try and slow down the vertical passing attack that saw them lead the NFL in 30+ yard TD passes. The Chiefs dealt with this last year and eventually were able to overcome it by being more creative and efficient in the short and intermediate passing game. Mahomes had the lowest average depth of target (ADOT) of his career and yet Kansas City’s offense still thrived. The Bengals have similar plans to counteract these looks. Cincinnati coaches have not kept it a secret that they have plans to use Ja’Marr Chase in more unique ways this year. Expect Chase to see more usage out of the slot, on underneath routes, and even some snaps in the backfield. Burrow will still take deep shots any time he sees Chase in single coverage, but Chase’s abilities as one of the league’s best YAC receivers will be on full display this season. The offense will also lean on 4 new additions along the offensive line to improve their poor short yardage and red zone offense from a year ago. Being able to take advantage of light boxes with a more efficient running game and more developed underneath passing game will allow them to have longer sustained drives, be less reliant on the big explosive plays, and have a higher conversion rate in the redzone.
At the end of the day, the NFL playoffs require a lot of luck. One score games between the league’s best teams can be a coin flip that comes down to a lucky bounce, a missed kick, or a high variance turnover. The Bengals know this as well as any one. They could have easily lost any of their 3 playoff wins if a couple bounces went the other way, and could have won the Super Bowl if the same happened for them. The goal for Cincinnati and any of the AFC’s top teams should be to put themselves in as many close playoff games as possible for the next 3-5 years. Be consistently in the mix and hope one of the years breaks your way. They have a chance to do just that once again this year. Without further ado, my 2022 game-by-game prediction:
Week 1 (Home): Bengals 30, Steelers 17
The last time Pittsburgh visited Cincy, it was 31-3 Bengals at the half. Tee Higgins was Mossing nobodies at Corner, Mixon had 100+ at the half, and Pittsburgh couldn’t stop turning it over. Expect this week 1 matchup to be closer, but ultimately the league’s worst OL and Mitch Trubisky do not have the fire power to keep up with the Bengals offense and Trey Hendrickson has two sacks to start the 2022 campaign off right.
Week 2 (Away): Bengals, 27, Cowboys 24
The Bengals face the first road test of the year and pull out a nail-biter in Dallas. Dallas’ OL is starting 40 year old Jason Peters and below average starter Terence Steele at the Tackle spots and doesn’t have much firepower on the outside other than Ceedee Lamb. Still, Dak plays well and keeps the ‘Boys in it. La’el Collins is ejecting for throwing a punch after a late hit on Burrow from LC’s former teammate Demarcus Lawrence which thrusts Hakeem Adeniji into action. But a 27 yard Ja’Marr Chase touchdown against Trevon Diggs with 1:30 to play sees the Bengals steal one in JerryWorld.
Week 3 (Away): Bengals 37, Jets 10
Likely the most iconic loss from last year’s regular season is avenged with savior Mike White sitting helplessly on the bench. The defense fixes the tackling issues they faced in last season’s matchup and keep Zach Wilson guessing. Rookie S Dax Hill record his first career interception against the 2nd year signal caller, and Joe Burrow has a field day as Chase gets the better of Sauce Gardner and Tee Higgins proves too big for the undersized DJ Reed. Burrow is named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 400 yard, 3 TD performance.
Week 4 (Home): Bengals 24, Dolphins 20
First time in the white helmets, first game of the year in primetime, and Ring of Honor ceremony night. In the first Burrow/Tua showdown since Bama-LSU in 2019, and a rematch of the 2019 game that secured the Bengals, not Miami, the #1 pick in the 2020 Draft, Burrow again outduels Tua. Mike McDaniel’s new offense struggles to get going, but Cincinnati’s offense also struggles coming off a short week. The turning point happens late in the 3rd quarter where Trey Hendrickson strip sacks Tua and it is scooped up by Logan Wilson and brought back for a TD. Much like last year’s Jaguars TNF game, the Bengals escape with an ugly win to move to 4-0.
Week 5 (Away): Bengals 28, Ravens 31
The winning streak stops at 4 for Cincinnati. Baltimore has not forgotten the two beatdowns the Bengals gave them last year, particularly the first one in Baltimore. Lamar and Burrow are both at their best, but it’s new signing Marcus Williams who makes an acrobatic pick on the sideline on a pass intended for Chase that sets Balitmore up to kick the game-winning field goal. You know Justin Tucker isn’t missing that.
Week 6 (Away): Bengals 30, Saints 14
In their first appearance at the SuperDome since Joey B was smoking cigars and Ja’Marr was having $1000 handshakes with OBJ, the LSU boys put on a show for their Cajun fans. Fellow LSU legend Tyrann Mathieu is a step late getting back to his deep zone and Chase catches a 40 yard go-ball to put a stamp on the victory. Honey Badger and Chase exchange jerseys after the game, and Burrow shakes hands with his childhood idol, Drew Brees, in a bittersweet moment for Louisiana football.
Week 7 (Home): Bengals 35, Falcons 13
In another homecoming, former Bearcat QB Desmond Ridder starts his first NFL game in Cincinnati. Lou Anarumo sends a variety of blitzes at the rookie and Ossai, Hendrickson, BJ Hill, and Mike Hilton all record sacks. AJ Terrell spends his day on Chase which frees up Tee Higgins to tally 135 yards and 2 TDs. Jessie Bates caps the performance with an interception that sees the Bengals run out the rest of the clock. 6-1.
Week 8 (Away): Bengals 13, Browns 10
In by far the ugliest game of the season thus far, the Bengals pull out a spooky Halloween win on the road on Monday Night Football. Burrow is the victim of two Myles Garrett sacks and Denzel Ward makes a toe-tapping INT on a ball intended for Tee Higgins. But Joe Mixon carries the Bengals to victory, gashing the interior of the Browns’ DL for a season best 127 yards and Cincinnati’s only touchdown. Brissett takes multiple sacks and never really gets in a groove as the Bengals win a defensive slugfest in primetime.
Week 9 (Home): Bengals 30, Panthers 34
After a 7-1 start, the Bengals are the talk of the league. That is… until the Bengals Killer Baker Mayfield comes to town. For whatever reason, Mayfield has a history of torching the Bengals and he hands them their most disappointing loss of the season with 311 yards and 3 TDs. The Bengals offense rebounds form a rough week in Cleveland, but the defense can’t get off the field on 3rd down and eventually wears down by the 4th quarter. Matt Rhule fists pumps on the sideline in what turns out to be his final career NFL victory. The Panthers lose their next 5 games and he is home to enjoy the Christmas holiday with his family.
Week 10: Bye Week (7-2)
Week 11 (Home): Bengals 23, Steelers 17
In a much closer contest, the Steelers defense comes to play at home. Kenny Pickett is now the starter and is able to move the ball a bit better than Trubisky showed. However, there is little help in the run game as the already poor Steelers OL is now facing injury issues at two spots. Burrow has a modest day, but touchdowns from Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon along with three Evan McPherson field goals are enough to win one in Pittsburgh.
Week 12 (Away): Bengals 20, Titans 17
In a rematch of last year’s hotly contested Divisional Round game, the Titans suffer another heartbreaking defeat to the Bengals. The Tennessee WRs never get going and Derrick Henry has a mediocre day on the ground. Jeffrey Simmons dusts Cordell Volson for a pair of sacks, but the Titans miss Harold Landry’s presence on the EDGE and cannot get the same pressure they had last January. Chase gets the better of former high school teammate Kristian Fulton to the tune of 121 yards and a touchdown and the Bengals churn out a hard fought road victory on Thanksgiving weekend.
Week 13 (Home): Bengals 27, Chiefs 30
The Chiefs avenge the team that ended their season in shocking fashion last year and win another instant classic at Paycor Stadium. Juju Smith-Schuster leaves the game after a huge hit near midfield from Vonn Bell, but rookie Skyy Moore steps up and has a season high 113 yards and a TD. Kelce chips in with 97 yards and a TD of his own. Burrow has an impressive day with 310 yards and 2 TDs, but Mahomes gets the ball last and drives Kansas City down for the game-winning field goal. The Bengals fall to 9-3 and the Chiefs regain the 1 seed in the AFC.
Week 14 (Home): Bengals 17, Browns 20
Deshaun Watson struggles in his second game back, but Nick Chubb breaks off two long runs and the Browns defense holds tough to hang on and steal a road win at Paycor. The Bengals split the season series with Cleveland, who just about need to win out in order to take a wild card berth.
Week 15 (Away): Bengals 21, Buccaneers 35
The Bengals find themselves in an early hole thanks to two Mike Evans TDs and Joe Mixon’s first fumble of the season. Despite the injuries on the OL, Tom Brady looks as good as ever, not ready to pass the torch to the next generation just yet. The Bucs get out to an early lead and the game gets away from Cincinnati. Chris Evans scores a late touchdown to make the score look more respectable, but Tampa Bay leads wire to wire and is in pole position for the 1 seed in the NFC. Brady and Burrow pay respects after the game and agree they hope this is not the last time they meet this season.
Week 16 (Away): Bengals 24, Patriots 7
After three straight tough losses, the Bengals rebound with a dominant 24-7 win in a snow game in Foxborough. After a 2019 matchup between these teams, Bill Belichick said “Mixon is a good one, too. He probably is the best back in the league.” Mixon shows Bill why once again as he tallies 121 yards and 2 touchdowns in a cold grind-it-out game. Burrow throws only 22 times but is efficient, completing 18 of them and moving the ball with a balanced attack. Patriots playcaller Matt Patricia never gets things going through the air and New England is one-dimensional most of the game. With this loss, the Patriots playoff hopes are all but gone. Cincinnati moves to 10-5.
Week 17 (Home): Bengals 38, Bills 35
In what some call the Game of the Year, two of the league’s best QBs go back and forth leading their teams down the field. Josh Allen finishes with 302 passing yards, 67 rushing yards, and 5 total TDs. Burrow tosses for 331 yards and 4 TDs. Unlike the Chiefs game, this time it’s Burrow who gets the ball last and finds Tee Higgins for a touchdown with 13 seconds remaining. The Bills stay as the #1 seed as long as they take care of business in week 18. The Bengals secure the divisional title and move to 11-5 on the year.
Week 18 (Home): Bengals 10, Ravens 31
Much like 2021, Cincinnati locks up the AFC North in week 17 and chooses to rest their starters in week 18. The Ravens are 9-7 and need a win to secure a wild card spot. They play all their starters and run rampant on the Bengals’ second string defense. Brandon Allen is not able to get anything going offensively and chants of “We Want Plitt!” fill the stadium. Regardless, the Bengals are AFC North champions for the second straight year, and Baltimore sneaks into the playoffs as a wild card.
AFC Playoff Picture
- Bills – 13-4
- Chargers – 12-5
- Bengals – 11-6
- Colts – 10-7
- Chiefs – 11-6
- Raiders – 10-7
- Ravens – 10-7
AFC Wild Card Round
- Chargers over Ravens
- Bengals over Raiders
- Chiefs over Colts
AFC Divisional Round
- Bengals over Chargers
- Bills over Chiefs
AFC Championship Round
- Bills over Bengals
NFC Playoff Picture
- Buccaneers – 13-4
- Green Bay Packers – 12-5
- Los Angeles Rams – 12-5
- Philadelphia Eagles – 11-6
- San Francisco 49ers – 11-6
- Minnesota Vikings – 10-7
- Dallas Cowboys – 10-7
NFC Wild Card Round
- Packers over Cowboys
- Rams over Vikings
- 49ers over Eagles
NFC Divisional Round
- Buccaneers over 49ers
- Rams over Packers
NFC Championship Round
- Buccaneers over Rams
Super Bowl
- Bills over Buccaneers
NFL Awards
- MVP: Josh Allen
- OPOY: Justin Jefferson
- DPOY: Myles Garrett
- OROY: Breece Hall
- DROY: Aidan Hutchinson
- COTY: Brandon Staley
- CPOTY: Christian McCaffrey
Bengals Stats
- Joe Burrow – 4,822 yards, 33 TDs, 9 INTs
- Joe Mixon – 260 carries, 1,153 yards rushing, 287 yards receiving, 13 TDs
- Ja’Marr Chase – 96 receptions, 1,523 yards, 10 TDs
- Tee Higgins – 82 receptions, 1,206 yards, 11 TDs
- Tyler Boyd – 69 receptions, 862 yards, 4 TDs
- Hayden Hurst – 52 receptions, 543 yards, 4 TDs
Football is officially back, y’all. Let’s enjoy every second of it. Cheers!
Blog in the Back with Kelley and Lou 
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