The Raiders will host the Bengals in a critical Week 11 game in Las Vegas. With both teams sitting at 5-4 and entering this matchup on two-game losing skids, the winner will be in prime position to make a run at the playoffs. Meanwhile, the loser will likely be in a tough spot in a crowded conference.
To preview this game, we spoke with Chris Roling of Bengals Wire about their team and the outlook for this game. Enjoy!
1. How has Joe Burrow progressed in Year 2?
Burrow came back quicker than expected from the knee injury and didn’t really skip a beat. More impressively, he was candid about using rehab time to also tweak his throwing motion, allowing him more power. He’s indeed got better zip on his passes this year, even out toward the sidelines.
He’s progressing as you’d expect for a guy who really just passed the 17-game mark as a pro and his rather high interception number is inflated by receiver mistakes/bad luck. You’d like to see less locking on Ja’Marr Chase and taking bad hits as this year continues.
2. Has the offensive line played any better this year?
On the left side, yes. Jonah Williams is developing into a strong presence on the edge and Quinton Spain has been a quality get for guard.
Center Trey Hopkins has dramatically regressed after coming back early from a season-ending injury suffered late last year. Right guard has been a revolving door and Riley Reiff on the right edge has been solid as expected. As a whole, the unit is marginally better than last year’s squad.
3. Who is an under-the-radar player to watch in this game?
Tight end C.J. Uzomah doesn’t get the spotlight behind Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. But he’s quietly scored five times and is quickly becoming a guy Burrow turns to when it matters most. He’s made big plays to set up a pair of game-winning field goals already.
4. Just how good has Ja’Marr Chase been as a rookie?
Great, then solid. He started the year hot and on a historic pace, capitalizing on that pre-built connection with the quarterback while defenses inexplicably threw lazy coverages his way.
He’s cooled off though and drop issues have re-emerged over the last two games, including a pair of dropped scores. He’s creating a ton of separation and is the only reason there’s a deep passing game in Cincinnati, otherwise, the offense would look just as bad as last year’s unit.
5. Who wins this game and why?
It’s nearly impossible to trust a Bengals defense that has regressed to 2019 and 2020 form over the last two games. The team needing to start Eli Apple in place of Trae Waynes again figures to be a problem Las Vegas can exploit, too.
More than anything, the Bengals enter this one after a bye — the club is 2-7 after the bye since 2012 (2020, 36-10 loss. 2019, 49-13 loss). Add in a trip west for one of three non-1 p.m. ET kickoffs all season and it’s safe to feel like the Raiders can slip past late. Raiders 27, Bengals 23
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