Matt’s Take: Did Joe Flacco just save the Bengals' season?

By Matthew McAdow
HCP columnist

With the season on the line, Joe Flacco might’ve just saved the Bengals' season after taking down the highest paid defense (Steelers) in epic fashion.  

He absolutely cooked this defense and got the football out to the stars, while the run game finally took off.

It was an epic game, and one that I will remember for the rest of my life, but this team is still just 3-4 and currently out of a current playoff spot. Will that change under Flacco? Only time will tell.

Let’s dive in.

At 3-4, Cincinnati is in second place in the AFC North, trailing Pittsburgh who sits at 4-2.

Cincinnati is currently 9th in the AFC standings. Seven teams make the playoffs and Cincinnati is only trailing the Chiefs, Jaguars and Chargers by a single game.  

The Bengals' next five games are: Jets (0-7), Bears (4-2), Steelers (4-2), Patriots (5-2) and Ravens (1-5).

The Steelers' next five games are: Packers (4-1-1), Colts (6-1), Chargers (4-3), Bears (4-2) and Bills (4-2).

With the offensive weapons healthy, I think Flacco can thrive under this offense. However, I expect a lot more pressure this week from the Jets. Win this game and show the city that he can really expand and lead this team, and I believe Cincinnati will be in a good place in just a few short weeks for a rematch with Pittsburgh. 

Ja’Marr Chase, if healthy over his career, might go down as a top three receiver of all time. The Steelers knew where Flacco was going every time and there was simply nothing they could do about it – 16 receptions, are you kidding me? 

Chase Brown average 9.8 yards per carry against a divisional opponent? If this is a sign of what is to come, I think many defenses are going to have to find a way to adjust in a hurry.  

DJ Turner II is becoming a top 5 player at his position. He already has two interceptions, 13 passes deflected, and is a PFF machine in the rankings.  

When Cincinnati signed Flacco, multiple Steelers accounts and even Bengals accounts laughed. He still has an arm and for once in his career, has the receivers needed to use it. Mike Tomlin was scared of Flacco for a reason, he can still play.  

Crazy stats and comments

Ja’Marr Chase joined Jerry Rice and Randy Moss as the only NFL players ever with 6,000-plus receiving yards and 50-plus receiving touchdowns in their first five NFL seasons. We’re approaching greatest ever territory.
  
Without Trey Hendrickson, this team is really struggling to get to the quarterback, as expected. I’d love to see Shemar, Myles, Ossai, and company to find a way to be effective. Bradley Chubb might be a good pickup if Cincinnati could pull off a trade. Trey is expected to play against the Jets. 

The Steelers are 0-8 in road games against divisional opponents on Thursday night. Lights too bright, Tomlin? Under Tomlin, they are 9-11 overall on Thursdays in general. As a Bengals fan, Cincinnati has had their fair share of primetime statistics, but woof!