Bengals Stock Report: The End of Season Wrap-up
Fourth quarter, 2:30 remaining. Tie ball game, 20-20. Joe Brrrr, as he’s affectionately been called for his proclivity to be cool and calm in clutch moments, gets the ball back in his hands. The Bengals only need a field goal to punch their ticket for a return trip to the Super Bowl.
At many points this season, this Bengals team seemed a team of destiny. They had consistently found ways to win, rattling off a franchise record 10 consecutive victories. It seemed everything was falling into place for another inevitable but hard-fought victory. Especially after the Bengals converted a third down and 16 to position themselves at the 33-yard line with a minute left. They were 30 yards and a few plays away from Evan McPherson’s field goal range. McPherson, who had delivered the dagger on this very field in Kansas City last year, was already warming up. But then…
A sack and a penalty. Now two years in a row, the Cincinnati Bengals season ends with Joe Burrow sacked on the Bengals’ final offensive snap and a penalty flag that sets the opponent up for the game’s winning score.
Instead of McPherson providing the storybook ending, it was Kansas City’s Harrison Butker delivering the game winning field goal to send the Chiefs to the Super Bowl.
Sports will rip your heart out.
But Bengals fans should take heart instead. It hurts now but there are so many reasons to be optimistic.
Stock Up:
The trajectory of the franchise. Think about all this team has accomplished the last two seasons: Two consecutive conference championship game appearances. The first Bengals team in franchise history to win division titles in back-to-back years. The most regular season victories (22) in consecutive years in team history. A Bengals record 10-game winning streak. The first three playoff road wins in team history. Doubled their franchise postseason victories from five wins all-time to now 10. A Super Bowl appearance.
The locker room is incredibly tight already. This year, having waged the wars of this past season together and collectively experienced the heartbreak in Kansas City, will only bring them closer. As Zac Taylor says, “We’ve got the right people in the locker room, the right men leading this team and this organization. I know that this is a team that our city and our fan base can be proud of. They represent themselves the right way, and we’re going to fight, scratch and claw to be back in this position next year.”
The youth movement. The Bengals have one of the youngest rosters in the league. Average age: 25.8. The league’s best duo of wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase (23) and Tee Higgins (24), are just getting started in their careers. On the defensive side of the ball, many young players emerged in the postseason. Most notably, Cam Taylor-Britt. The second-round rookie was exceptional in the playoffs. Taylor-Britt essentially shut down the Buffalo Bill’s best offensive weapon, Stefon Diggs, in the divisional round, holding Diggs to the lowest production of his postseason career. He was also outstanding against the Chiefs, allowing one catch for 13 yards with a pass break-up. Joseph Ossai, Cameron Sample and Zach Carter—defensive linemen all under the age of 25—made strong contributions this postseason. This tremendous infusion of youthful talent bodes well for the future.
B.J. Hill. Bengals’ second-year edge player, Joseph Ossai, was having the best game of his young pro career against Kansas City. He had been a standout, making several key defensive plays to slow Kansas City’s offense in the second half. Then came the infamous late hit out of bounds penalty, giving the Chiefs an extra 15 yards and setting them up for a makeable winning field goal. Ossai was devastated, inconsolable on the sideline at game’s end. His penalty was now a main storyline, and the media was waiting at Ossai’s locker, hungry for quotes and a soundbite. But having his brother’s back was Bengals’ defensive lineman, B.J. Hill. Hill stood beside Ossai to defend him and prop up his teammate at his most difficult hour. Well done B.J. You’re a phenomenal teammate.
Trash talk. Much was made about “Burrowhead,” cornerback Mike Hilton’s slight towards the Chief’s notoriously loud home venue, Arrowhead Stadium, and insinuation that Burrow owns the Chiefs. Hilton’s quote took off and became ubiquitous in the lead up to the game. By week’s end, even Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval was getting into the act. Burrowhead was one of the many jabs the mayor took at the Chiefs in his not-so-well-received official proclamation. It’s clear the trash talk was motivation for the Chiefs as they referenced it numerous times in the postgame interviews. A lot of people don’t like the trash talk. I’m not one of them. This is ultimately a game. A game that’s meant to be fun. The trash talk was mostly good natured and in jest, adding some spice to the proceedings. As long as it remains in bounds, I’m here for it.
The long term deal. The Bengals are about to embark on the most important contract negotiation in team history: signing Joe Burrow to a long-term deal. Burrow is the generational talent that the whole future trajectory of this franchise ultimately rests on. Burrow has publicly said, “My plan is to be here my whole career.” The Bengals are expected to make Burrow one of the highest paid players in NFL history. The top 10 quarterbacks in the league make $40 million per year, with Aaron Rodgers topping out at $50.2 million per year. The Bengals once made Carson Palmer the richest quarterback in the league. Could they follow suit and make Joe Burrow the next $50 million quarterback? I personally feel the contract negotiations should start simply with this: a blank check. Tell him to write his own number. He’s probably worth more to this organization than anything he’d write down.
Stock Down:
Officiating. The Bengals had their opportunities to win the game and couldn’t get the job done. Ultimately that’s the story: missed opportunities. However, the officiating made things very hard to swallow. There were missed and inconsistent calls: the Chiefs’ late hit on Burrow on the Bengals final drive that was not called, Trey Hendrickson being held on the final Mahomes’ first down run, Joe Mixon being late hit out of bounds. There were blown calls, a pass interference call on Mike Hilton for example. And then there was the third down “do-over,” which gave the Chiefs an extra play to convert a third down. It was one of the most unacceptable officiating moments that’s ever been.
Ron Torbert was the head referee. Torbert has been responsible for two of the most infamous penalties in Bengals history. He called the back-breaking penalty against Ossai on Sunday. He also called the very questionable pass interference penalty against the Bengals’ Logan Wilson last year in the Super Bowl that set the Rams up for the game-winning touchdown with under two minutes left.
Offensive Line. Once again, they were the storyline—which is a shame. For most of this season, the revamped offensive line was capable and healthy. Though they had played admirably against Buffalo, overcoming the loss of three starters ultimately became too much of an obstacle. Burrow was sacked six times against Kansas City, the most sacks the Bengals had surrendered since Week 2. On the game’s final offensive play of the season, Burrow found himself in the dirt, ending their chance at a game-winning drive. Here’s hoping next postseason, the Bengals finally find themselves with a satisfactory offensive front.
It was a very memorable season for the Bengals. This 2022 team was one of the best teams in franchise history. That’s why it hurts. This team had the talent, the confidence and the ability to win it all. Opportunities like this can often be fleeting. As previously mentioned though, there is so much to be excited about for next year. I believe in Joe. I believe in Zac. I believe in the talent and camaraderie in the locker room. Let’s run this thing back in 2023! Who-Dey?!
Jon Bunch is an avid life-long Bengals fanatic. Raised in the 740. West Pointer, Army and Iraq War veteran. Passionate evangelist of the Who-Dey spirit. @WhoDeyBunch
