The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2024 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, but the reality is clear: they are too talented to be sitting at 4-6 after 10 weeks of football. This team, led by quarterback Joe Burrow and a dynamic group of playmakers, should not be struggling this much. Yet, here they are—caught in a cycle of close losses, missed opportunities, and untimely mistakes.

So, what’s going wrong for a team that many had pegged as one of the Super Bowl contenders this year? The answer isn’t simple, but it’s rooted in a mix of bad luck, inconsistent play, and uncharacteristic mistakes that have kept them from living up to their potential.

Joe Burrow: A Star in a Slumping Team

At the heart of the Bengals’ struggles is Joe Burrow, a quarterback who has already established himself as one of the most elite passers in the NFL. When healthy, Burrow is a difference-maker—a player who can make any throw, lead game-winning drives, and elevate his team in the most crucial moments. But in 2024, Burrow has been playing catch-up from the start, thanks to an offseason calf injury that sidelined him for much of training camp.

That injury seemed to linger into the early part of the season, preventing Burrow from being at full strength. However, over the past few weeks, we’ve seen flashes of the Burrow we all know and love—the player who led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in 2022 and nearly won an MVP in 2023. In recent games, he’s thrown for over 300 yards in three of his last four outings, and his connection with star receiver Ja’Marr Chase remains as potent as ever.

Despite these flashes of brilliance, Burrow and the Bengals have struggled to find consistency, particularly in the red zone, where they’ve often failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. In the NFL, if you’re not converting in the red zone, you’re not winning games. But it’s not just Burrow’s play that’s been inconsistent—it’s the entire offense.

The Offense: Not Living Up to Expectations

The Bengals offense on paper should be among the league’s best. With Burrow at quarterback, Chase and Tee Higgins at receiver, and Joe Mixon in the backfield, Cincinnati has all the weapons it needs to put up points. However, the offensive line has been inconsistent, and without Higgins for a few games due to injury, the offense has looked disjointed at times. Even when the Bengals are moving the ball well, untimely turnovers and missed opportunities have been the story.

The inability to finish drives has been a theme for Cincinnati in 2024. In losses to teams like the Ravens and the Steelers, they’ve had chances to put the game away but couldn’t deliver. Against the Ravens in Week 10, for example, the Bengals had a two-touchdown lead at one point but couldn’t hold on, ultimately losing by a field goal in a game they likely should have won. Despite huge performances from Chase and some big-time plays from Burrow, the Bengals’ offense faltered when it mattered most.

The Run Game Struggles
Joe Mixon is a capable back, but the running game as a whole hasn’t been as effective as it should be. The offensive line, which was supposed to be improved this year, has often failed to generate consistent push in the running game. Without a reliable ground attack, the Bengals’ offense becomes more predictable, and opposing defenses can key in on Burrow and the passing game.

Mixon’s struggles to get going in key moments, paired with the lack of a dominant offensive line performance, means that the Bengals are forced to rely on Burrow and the passing game to win games. While Burrow is certainly capable, having a balanced attack would make life much easier for the entire offense.

The Defense: More Than Good Enough, But Not Consistent Enough

When you look at the Bengals’ defense, you see a unit with a lot of talent—players like Trey Hendrickson, Logan Wilson, and Jessie Bates (who left in free agency but is still sorely missed)—and yet, they have been unable to deliver in crucial situations. Over the past few seasons, the Bengals’ defense has stepped up when needed, particularly in the playoffs, where they shut down some of the league’s best offenses. This season, however, the defense has struggled with consistency.

In games like their Week 9 loss to the Ravens, the defense played solidly for much of the game, limiting Baltimore’s run game and keeping Lamar Jackson in check. But when it mattered most, especially late in the game, they couldn’t make stops. A fumble recovery for the Ravens and a string of big plays from Jackson and wide receiver Zay Flowers allowed Baltimore to claw back into the game and eventually win.

While Cincinnati’s defense is far from bad, their ability to close out games and make critical stops has been lacking. Too often, the Bengals have allowed opposing offenses to go on game-deciding drives in the fourth quarter, something they cannot afford to do if they want to make the playoffs.

The Playoff Picture: Still Alive, But Running Out of Time

At 4-6, the Bengals’ playoff hopes are still mathematically alive, but they’re quickly running out of room for error. They still have games against division rivals like the Steelers (twice) and the Browns, as well as key matchups against playoff-contending teams like the Chargers. It’s not impossible for Cincinnati to run the table and finish the season 10-7, but it’s going to take some serious adjustments.

First and foremost, the Bengals need to find consistency. Whether that’s fixing the offensive line issues, establishing a better run game, or limiting turnovers, they need to clean up the mistakes that have been hurting them. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase have shown that they can dominate, but they need more help from their teammates to get over the hump. The defense also needs to be more opportunistic and avoid giving up crucial plays in late-game situations.

But the biggest question mark for Cincinnati remains: Can they put everything together in time to make a playoff push?

Why the Bengals Are Too Good to Be Losing

The Bengals are too good to be losing so many games because they have the talent, leadership, and skill to beat anyone in the NFL. Joe Burrow is a top-tier quarterback, Ja’Marr Chase is one of the best receivers in the league, and the defense has playmakers at every level. This team is more than capable of being a Super Bowl contender, and yet, they find themselves struggling with the basics—consistency, execution, and finishing games.

The window for this team is still open, but the clock is ticking. If they don’t figure things out quickly, they may find themselves watching the playoffs from home come January. If they can clean up their issues and play to their potential, though, there’s still plenty of time for the Bengals to make a serious run. They are too good to be stuck in mediocrity, and if they find their stride, the sky’s the limit.

Cincinnati fans can take comfort in knowing that the talent is there. But until the Bengals start playing up to their potential, the frustration will only continue to mount.