It feels like it has become almost impossible to pick Cincinnati Bengals games to start the 2022 season.
In reality, this year’s 0-2 start and flirtation with 0-3 isn’t all that different from last year’s slow start, the difference being a few unlucky breaks this time out.
But they now enter their third game in a row as notable favorites as they visit the New York Jets. They did the same before losses to the Steelers and franchise quarterback-less Cowboys.
Comparing things to last year again though, Week 3 is where Joe Burrow and the offense really heated up. It’s safe to think that can happen again against the 1-1 Jets, losers of a 24-9 blowout at the hands of the Ravens and winners over an erratic Browns team.
One of the keys will be the Joe Mixon-led running game, as the Jets cough up 123.5 yards per game on the ground on average. If the ground game can get going, Zac Taylor’s formations won’t be so predictable and the Jets won’t have a choice but to bring down more help, which means more big passing plays down the field.
Much has to go right, of course. Burrow’s line needs to play well and especially at right tackle, where La’el Collins battled a back injury all week. Easier said than done against the likes of Carl Lawson. And the defense has to not cough up 14 quick points early like it did last week against a Jets defense averaging nearly five yards per carry with Joe Flacco under center.
Hurdles on the road or not, this does feel like a get-right game for the Bengals. This is a step down from the defensive lines of the Steelers and Cowboys by a wide margin and across the defense just as Burrow and Co. really feel that desperation to avoid having a season ruined by Week 4.
Expect a heavy dose of Mixon, which enables a few big splash plays through the air to keep this one comfortable.
Prediction: Bengals 24, Jets 14
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