Just when you thought maybe the Cincinnati Bengals had something figured out against one of their biggest defensive issues, that hope quickly dissipated even in a victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Tell me if you've read this before. The Bengals allowed a season-best game to a tight end. Of course you have.
Well, it happened again against the Tennessee Titans. And there is a strong chance it'll occur again against the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid, Spain.
Spark of hope against Ravens quickly extinguished versus Titans
Ahead of their matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, we pontificated about how Baltimore's tight ends could rebound against Cincinnati's defense. Fortunately, that did not come to pass as Cincinnati held Josh Cuevas and Mark Andrews to five catches for 58 yards.
At that moment, it seemed as if the Bengals’ defense was heading in the right direction, limiting the opposing Titans after having struggled up to that point in the season. However, Cincinnati reverted to its old ways against the Tennessee Titans just one week later.
Tight end Gunnar Helm led Tennessee with 76 receiving yards on five catches against the Bengals. Those totals, along with his nine targets, were the most for Helm this season, because, of course, they were.
Helm's nine targets led the Titans. His 76 receiving yards were the most of his two-year career, because, of course, they were.
Cam Ward also connected with his other tight end, Daniel Bellinger, three times for 36 yards. Bellinger also recorded season highs in targets (4), receptions, and yards.
In all, Cincinnati gave up eight catches for 112 yards to the position for a 1-7 team that has struggled offensively all season long.
But at least the Bengals defense won't have to deal with a talented tight end room when they face the Atlanta Falcons.
Oh, wait...
Don’t be fooled by Falcons’ monsoon game against Bucs
Things went horribly for everyone involved last weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as Atlanta scored zero points and lost 16-0.
Even the Buccaneers had their issues, winning while completing zero passes and attempting only three. Fortunately, the Falcons' defense was miserably horrific against Tampa Bay's rushing attack, which saw Bucky Irving rush for 170 yards and Kenny Gainwell for 140.
And in that shut-out loss, only Austin Hooper and Kyle Pitts recorded catches for Atlanta's tight ends. But don't get too excited about that being any indication that the Falcons' tight ends are slowing down ahead of what is unfortunately shaping up to be an advantage for them.
It was all good just a week ago for Falcons’ tight ends versus 49ers
Versus the San Francisco 49ers, Penix and the Falcons targeted their tight ends 10 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
Penix didn't stick to throwing to just one, as all four tight ends on their active roster caught a pass against the 49ers. The Falcons QB spread the ball around to Kyle Pitts, Austin Hooper, Charlie Woerner, and Nick Muse.
Pitts and Muse were recipients of two of Penix's three touchdowns that afternoon, when the Falcons upset San Francisco, 29-20.
The Falcons took out the juggernaut and heavy favorite 49ers with their passing attack, significantly aided by their tight end room. Weather permitting, that could happen again against the team that ranks second in the league in yards per game surrendered to tight ends.
‘Can't stop them, can only hope to contain them’
This is where we're supposed to offer solutions or wax poetically about how defensive coordinator Al Golden is cooking up a master class to shut down one of his defense's most significant looming issues heading into a matchup against a team that will undoubtedly put that weakness to the test.
Unfortunately, if he hasn't found a solution in a season and a half, we're not sure he can do so on the plane trip to Spain.
Back in its heyday, when ESPN SportsCenter was at the peak of its power, legendary broadcaster Dan Patrick would say, "You can't stop him. You can only hope to contain him."
That is exactly the approach that Cincinnati must take against tight ends for the rest of the season, or until the team gets the players or scheme that can make a difference.
The Bengals have a few defensive leaks and cannot patch them all this season. Therefore, when it comes to the tight end position, it may not get any better than what we saw against the Baltimore Ravens.
With the defensive line, headed by Dexter Lawrence, playing well enough to cause opposing quarterbacks stress in the pocket, QBs will continue to look to get rid of the ball fast, taking advantage of their edge over whatever is causing Cincinnati's defense to allow season, and at times career-best outputs from tight ends.
At this point, we are not looking for Al Golden’s defense to shut down the tight ends in any significant way. However, if the Bengals can keep opposing tight ends from having their best games against Cincinnati, that would be fantastic.
Hopefully, as with the Titans, the Bengals defense will do just enough to limit the tight ends enough, giving Joe Burrow in the office enough time to do what they do best against the Falcons.
A Jordan Battle interception or two on targets intended for one of Atlanta’s tight ends would also help.
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