The Cincinnati Bengals have again started 0-2. It isn't an ideal start, but heading into the season, everyone knew their Week 2 battle in Kansas City against the Chiefs was not going to be easy.
The Bengals gave the Chiefs a much better game than most expected, and as we've said over the last few years, it was a game they certainly should've won outside of a few timely penalties.
Cincinnati lost 26-25 after losing 16-10 to the Patriots to open the season. Now, Week 3 at the Washington Commanders will be a near must-win game. That said, let's dive into how national media views them after that discouraging Week 2 loss.
It's OK to feel better about the Bengals after Sunday. They should have won at Kansas City and would have if not for a Chiefs fumble return for a touchdown or a late defensive pass interference call. Maybe they can use that as momentum, but it needs to happen fast.
A faceplant against an inferior team and a near miss against the Chiefs mean an 0-2 record in Cincy as well. Yet the issues here have the potential to linger much longer if disgruntled WR Ja'Marr Chase continues to come unglued.
The Bengals found their true selves by seeing Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on the other side in Kansas City. Cincinnati just made one more mistake and one less clutch play, dropping to a familiar hole they hope they can dig out of, unlike last season.
They are 0-2 after losing a tough one at Kansas City, but they showed better than they did in Week 1. They will be fine.
This was a much more promising showing from the Bengals than in Week 1. The offense was much improved, and they very nearly got out of Arrowhead with a win. However, 0-2 is where they sit, and it leaves little room for error. Since the NFL went to a 17-game season, only two teams have recovered from 0-2 to make the playoffs. Cincinnati was one of those teams back in 2022, so they will know it can be done.
The offense still leaves a lot to be desired, ranking 21st in terms of EPA. However, the defensive performance has been promising and is something to build on. All is not lost in Cincinnati, but Week 3 against the Commanders just took on a new level of importance.