Williams: See predictions for Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals rest of the season
Watch the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati.
The Browns seem to have the formula for how to win without their starting quarterback.
They can run the ball and play stingy defense.
The Bengals haven't been able to do either consistently, and they may not win another game after losing Joe Burrow for the season with a wrist injury.
Cincinnati (5-5) will play its first full game this season without Burrow on Sunday at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bengals Steelers NFL investigation of Bengals, Joe Burrow's wrist injury could take 'weeks'
Bengals Steelers Breaking down what new quarterback Jake Browning brings to the Bengals
It could be one of the few remaining chances the Bengals have of winning another game in a season that started with Super Bowl aspirations.
The outside world will blame Burrow’s injury if the Bengals sputter down the stretch, and understandably so. It wouldn’t tell the whole story, though.
The final seven-game stretch will likely expose how the Bengals missed an opportunity to upgrade their running game in the offseason and also made a mistake by not re-signing at least one of their former starting veteran safeties – Vonn Bell or Jesse Bates.
The upcoming stretch could show how the Bengals cut corners at other positions in order to pay Burrow an NFL-record $275 million contract. They should've paid him and still spent money on a free-agent running back and on one of the safeties (likely Bell).
And if the losses start piling up, the struggles could sting Bengals fans even more if the rival Browns keep winning.
Cleveland lost quarterback Deshaun Watson to a shoulder injury recently. He’d been up and down all season with injuries, and yet the Browns still are 7-3 and in second place in the AFC North. They even lost four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb to a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 and still rank third in the NFL in rushing yards per game. On defense, the Browns allow the fewest yards per game in the league.
It's hard seeing the Bengals running game turning things around. It's not been effective since the 2021 season. But if Cincinnati's defense can regain the form it had during the three-game stretch against Seattle, San Francisco and Buffalo − all wins − then the Bengals should be in most games down the stretch.
Now then, let’s take a stab at predicting the rest of the Bengals’ season:
Pittsburgh Steelers at Bengals (Sunday)
The Steelers have many reasons to be motivated. Their offense will get a boost after the firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada this week. The Steelers are coming off a loss at Cleveland, and Mike Tomlin’s team hasn’t lost back-to-back games since October 2022. Steelers win, 17-14.
Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars (Dec. 4)
Monday Night Football on the road against a first-place team. Need you be reminded that the Bengals haven’t won a road primetime game in a decade? And have we mentioned Burrow is out? Jaguars win, 28-17.
Indianapolis Colts at Bengals (Dec. 10)
Both teams’ starting quarterbacks are out for the season. The Colts are scrappy and rank ninth in the NFL in points per game, but homefield advantage will be the difference. Bengals win, 21-20.
Minnesota Vikings at Bengals (Dec. 17)
The Bengals have already beaten Joshua Dobbs once this season, when he was Arizona’s starting QB before being traded at the deadline to Minnesota. Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will have a solid plan to keep Dobbs in check, and the Bengals will complete their season sweep of NFC teams. Bengals win, 20-17.
Bengals at Steelers (Dec. 23)
No way Tomlin and the Steelers’ defensive line will let Jake Browning come into their house and win this one. Steelers will be looking to bury the two-time defending AFC North champions' playoff hopes. Steelers, 14-13.
Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs (Dec. 31)
What a shame Burrow got hurt. This could’ve been a candidate for AFC Game of the Year. Instead, it’ll be a playoff tune-up for Kansas City. Chiefs win, 31-14.
Browns at Bengals (Jan. 7)
What a shame Burrow got hurt. For once, this could’ve been a relevant, late-season game with playoff implications on the line for both teams. Instead, it’ll be a playoff tune-up for the Browns, who will bookend the regular season with victories vs. Cincinnati. Browns win, 13-9.
Bengals final record prediction: 7-10.
Email columnist Jason Williams at jwilliams@enquirer.com and let him know your predictions for the rest of the Bengals' season.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Predicting rest of season for Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals
