Cincinnati Bengals: 4 things we learned from Week 1 loss at Seattle

The Cincinnati Bengals lost a game they really should have won, falling to the Seattle Seahawks 21-20. Even though they open the 2019 campaign 0-1, Sunday showed a lot of promise for the coming season.

In the immediate afterglow of a close and competitive loss, the Cincinnati Bengals can feel good about where things stand after a 21-20 loss. On the road and in the rain, first-time head coach Zac Taylor found a lot to feel good about. While it’s only one game and a loss at that, the future may be brighter than many thought.

The Week 1 thing is key to remember. Yes, Andy Dalton had a remarkable day. John Ross looked and played great. They hung in against a good but rusty Seattle Seahawks. And but for some bad luck, they could have pulled a big Opening Sunday upset.

What’s next is what matters, and what matters is how they follow up Week 1 in Week 2. In the home opener, the Bengals get the San Francisco 49ers, who went to Tampa Bay and won 31-17. The Niners are a team who are still trying to get Jimmy Garopollo going, so catching them on another trip east may be great timing for a Cincinnati win.

Bengals fans should be excited about what they saw in Week 1. They should also have some concerns. The offensive line stymied the Cincinnati rushing game. And most importantly, the Bengals lose a game they should have won. That will mean something before the book is closed on the 2019 season.