Cincinnati Bengals: Their 2016 Season is All But Over

Nov 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) reacts after a turnover in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) reacts after a turnover in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Cincinnati Bengals are still mathematically able to win the division and make the playoffs. However, with today’s loss against the Ravens the Bengals season is all but done for 2016.

The Cincinnati Bengals dropped to 3-7-1 with the 14-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon. With the loss, the Bengals fall to 1-2 in the division and two and a half games back in the division with only five games remaining.

The Bengals best moment was when Vontaze Burfict had the acting job of the day causing Steve Smith Sr. to get a unsportsmanlike conduct. The defense had its own moments of greatness holding the Ravens to four field goals, including three from 50+ yards and only one touchdown.

Carlos Dunlap had the assist on the Bengals lone forced turnover, when Rey Maualuga intercepted a tipped ball. However, it was all for not as the Bengals returned the ball on a terrible snap by Russell Bodine. That ended up being the story of the Bengals offensive performance.

More from Stripe Hype

The Bengals, mainly Andy Dalton, was credited for four fumbles, two lost, but three were directly his fault including one lost. Dalton was sacked three times, lost a fumble late as the Bengals were driving for a possible game winning score. The offensive line struggle once again to protect Dalton, and the coaching could not make the adjustments needed to help Dalton.

Jeremy Hill played a huge role in the pass offense, especially with six receptions for 61 yards. Tyler Eifert had five targets for 68 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Boyd was right there with him for 62 yards one five catches. The Bengals offense was definitely missing  A.J. Green. Rex Burkhead did a fair job replacing Giovani Bernard, but Gio was definitely was missed as well in this offense.

NFL rules continue to make no sense. A whole team can hold, penalty called, allow the kicker to take a safety, and the game ends on that. So basically, they could have murdered somebody but it wouldn’t have mattered?

Either way, the Bengals squandered plenty of opportunities. Ken Zampese continues to fail to help this team win with offensive play calling. The Bengals defense had another solid game. Finally, the Bengals season is all but over because this team will not go 8-7-1 and even that will not be good enough to win the AFC North.