Tee Higgins – Page 4 – Syndication Server

Giants vs. Bengals: 4 causes for concern in Week 6

The New York Giants square off in a Sunday night battle against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6. Here are four reasons for concern.

The New York Giants will host the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night in Week 6, looking to carry some of the momentum generated in an upset of the Seattle Seahawks a week ago.

Despite the Giants being home under the bright lights against a 1-4 Bengals team, New York opened as 3.5-point home underdogs ahead of Sunday Night Football.

With the Giants hoping to get back to .500 in Week 6, here are four causes for concern.

Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bengals’ passing game

The Bengals have two premier talents at the wide receiver position in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and a heck of a quarterback in Joe Burrow throwing their way.

After an impressive rookie year, Deonte Banks has had a rough start to his sophomore campaign. He did, however, have a great game last week.

Banks has already had to deal with Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, and DK Metcalf. The road does not get any easier with Chase on the horizon.

Shane Bowen’s defense will have to figure out ways to throw off the Bengals’ passing game. It may have to come to the Giants pass rush, which leads the league in sacks.

Giants’ pass rush short-handed

The Giants pass rush took a hit on Wednesday when news broke that edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux would be week-to-week following wrist surgery.

Although Thibodeaux isn’t the most important piece on the defensive line, his presence has certainly been felt this season. He may not show up on the stat sheet as much as he or the fans would like. However, he has been making big plays occasionally and drawing penalties as well.

Without Thibodeaux, the Giants’ strength on the defense certainly took a hit and they will have to find a way to continue getting pressure on the quarterback.

Bengals desperate for a win

Cincinnati is a team that came into the season with much higher expectations than the Giants. Quite simply, the Bengals’ backs are against the wall. They need a win in the worst way with the division and their season slipping away one game at a time. If they have any chance at turning the season around, they will have to win Sunday and avoid dropping to 1-5.

Giants in primetime

We all know how bad Daniel Jones and the Giants have been in primetime. They will have to prove their doubters wrong and put an end to the ugly streak. A statement win against a Joe Burrow-led Bengals team could go a long way in quieting the talks about the Giants’ lack of success in primetime games.

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Giants secondary gearing up for latest stress test vs. Bengals

The New York Giants secondary faces a stiff challenge from Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on Sunday night.

The New York Giants’ young secondary could use a breather after facing a gauntlet of some of the NFL’s best wide receivers over the first five weeks — Seattle’s DK Metcalf, Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb, Terry McLaurin of Washington, and Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson.

This Sunday night, the Cincinnati Bengals come to MetLife Stadium sporting two more of the game’s elite pass catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Head coach Brian Daboll has seen mixed results from his secondary thus far but they’ve been respectable. None of those players mentioned had over 100 yards receiving in their games against Big Blue this year.

The coach was asked what improvements he’d seen in the unit this year.

“Well, again, they’re young,” Daboll said of the group level-setting expectations and providing some context. “So, the more playing time you get, the more experience you get, the more you improve. And we’ve played against some pretty good receivers. Metcalf being the last one, McLaurin, CeeDee Lamb, Jefferson, and now here comes Chase and Higgins.

“So, they’re improving at their craft. They’ve been working hard. The communication process, their technique, their fundamentals. Jerome (Henderson) has been working with them. (Michael) Treier has been working with them.

“Again, a young group of players that continues to improve. We have a huge challenge this week against this quarterback, who’s one of the best in the league, and the skill set of Chase and Higgins. They can score at any time.”

Daboll was asked how the team plans on handling two No. 1-type receivers this week.

“Yeah, very difficult,” he said. “They’re two different types of players, both outstanding at what they do. They put Chase everywhere. He can take it from a one-yard pass, 80 yards. Over 4,200 yards, 35 touchdowns, 34, whatever it may be.

“He’s as good as it gets. And then throw Higgins in there, who’s a top pick of the second round, who’s big. Even when he’s covered, he’s not covered. It’s very challenging. That’s why they put up so many points. When you add (Joe) Burrow to the mix, who’s one of the premier passers in this league, it’s difficult.”

Chase had 10 receptions for 192 yards last week against Baltimore. It is the most receiving yards in a single game by an NFL player this year.

Higgins caught a season-high nine passes in the game for 83 yards after beginning the season with a hamstring issue.

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Tee Higgins says what everyone is thinking about Zac Taylor’s OT calls

The Bengals WR was honest about the OT collapse.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow isn’t happy right now coming out of that shocking overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Neither are teammates such as Tee Higgins as head coach Zac Taylor draws the ire of fans.

Higgins was one of many players asked after the game about Taylor’s decision to run the ball three straight times while setting for a field goal attempt of longer than 50 yards in overtime.

While trying to keep it measured and fair, Higgins still said quite a bit.

“Personally, I think we should have gone a little bit more aggressive in the first and second downs just to try to get Evan in better field goal range,” Higgins said, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. “You know he makes those from that deep. I’m not putting it on him at all, you know what I’m saying. So it’s a team effort, we lost as a team, but we could have did a better job at putting him in better field goal range to make it an easier kick.”

Indeed, considering Burrow finished the day with a 30-of-39 mark with 392 yards and five touchdowns against one interception.

While onlookers will bemoan the pick and a few offensive hiccups like sacks, the numbers speak for themselves — against a defense like Baltimore.

And even looking beyond the numbers, the Bengals have one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league and two of the best wide receivers in the game, plus an assortment of other weapons.

Handing the ball off three straight times and not letting Burrow go attempt to win it deserves every bit of criticism it’s receiving, including from players.

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Ravens vs. Bengals: Top photos from Baltimore’s 41-38 win in overtime at Paycor Stadium

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 41-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime at Paycor Stadium in Week 5

Lamar Jackson and company rallied from a late fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime with a 56-yard field goal from Justin Tucker. In overtime, the Bengals recovered a Jackson fumble but could not win it after Evan McPherson missed a 56-yard field goal of his win.

At one point in the fourth quarter, Joe Burrow was 27-for-34 for 353 yards and five touchdown passes, while former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase had nine catches for 174 yards and two scores.

Burrow finished 30-39 passing for 392 yards, five touchdowns, and one costly interception. His MVP counterpart, Lamar Jackson, was 26-42 passing for 348 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson also had 12 carries for 56 yards on the day.

***

Joe Burrow dominates early, but Ravens rally for a 41-38 win over Bengals in overtime

After a week of pundits and experts questioning Joe Burrow’s demise, the former LSU star put the NFL back on notice with a dominant, five-touchdown performance against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium.

Still, it wasn’t enough, as Lamar Jackson and company rallied from a late fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime with a 56-yard field goal from Justin Tucker. In overtime, the Bengals recovered a Lamar Jackosn fumble but were unable to win it after Evan McPherson missed a 56-yard field goal of his win.

Baltimore used a big Derrick Henry run to get into field goal position, and Justin Tucker’s 24 field goals gave the Ravens their third straight win.

JUSTIN TUCKER’S FG IS GOOD AND THAT’S A DUB!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/AGCETSwxFW

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 6, 2024

At one point in the fourth quarter, Burrow was 27-for-34 for 353 yards and five touchdown passes, while former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase had nine catches for 174 yards and two scores against a Ravens secondary full of first-round picks and high-paid defenders.

After a slow start, Derrick Henry finished things with a bang, rushing for 91 yards on 15 carries, with one rushing touchdown.

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NFL insider oddly names Bengals’ Tee Higgins in trade speculation

Let the odd Bengals-Tee Higgins trade speculation begin…

The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t trading star wide receiver Tee Higgins.

Fans know that much — but they also know that it won’t stop his name from coming up in trade speculation talk ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline in November.

Case in point, Higgins is one of the names proposed by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini while talking about what the Kansas City Chiefs might do to replace the injured Rashee Rice:

The question now: Will the Chiefs roll the dice again as they chase a three-peat? Names I’m keeping an eye on before the NFL trade deadline:

• Amari Cooper, Browns
• Tee Higgins, Bengals
• George Pickens, Steelers
• Christian Kirk, Jaguars
• DeAndre Hopkins, Titans

The Bengals especially aren’t trading Higgins to a team like the Chiefs, for what it’s worth.

Alas, Higgins’ name will come up anyway because he’s playing this year on the franchise tag and will likely leave via free agency the following offseason.

But the Bengals aren’t prone to trading away any players, let alone their best — even if the return might be huge, as it could be in the case of Higgins.

Further harming any outside Higgins trade ideas is the fact that a sliver of hope remains that the two sides find a way to keep him in town on a long-term extension.

While extremely unlikely because of the Ja’Marr Chase extension drama and other factors, NFL teams have done wilder things with cap space in the past. And the Bengals won’t be ignorant of the fact that the offense has looked incredibly better since Higgins got back from his hamstring injury over the last two games.

Despite the tag, Higgins worked throughout training camp and continues to be a key piece. Even if the Bengals were at 0-4 and counting, a move feels extremely unlikely.

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Amari Cooper headlines 5 AFC North trade targets Cowboys must ask about before NFL deadline

If the Cowboys are going to contend, they’ll need to reinforce several problem areas. Here’s who the AFC North has to potentially offer. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys have, temporarily, stopped the bleeding. Playing on short rest, it wasn’t a pretty exercise defeating the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football in Week 3. They paid a steep price, too, losing both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence to lower-extremity injuries and likely for multiple weeks.

Beyond those injury issues, the Cowboys have other needs as well. There has been very little contributions to the passing game beyond All-Pro CeeDee Lamb, and although they were able to shut down the Giants’ run game, it’s been less than a week since they allowed 464 combined rushing yards across two games. There is a need to improve the roster and they should consider trading to do so.

The Cowboys extended both QB Dak Prescott and Lamb before the season started, opening up a large amount of 2024 cap space to make in-season moves. If they are so inclined, Jerry and Stephen Jones have over $25 million of space to bring in help from the outside. Blessed with a minibye to sit back and watch other teams operate, it makes sense to identify teams which may be looking to cut bait on players in exchange for draft picks.

Picks are a commodity for the Cowboys moreso than most teams. That makes it unlikely they want to part with any unless the price is in their favor. But with four comp picks on deck for 2025, perhaps the Cowboys would be willing to part for any of these players who could help.

Our first look is at the AFC North, where entering the weekend, three of the four teams are below .500. The Pittsburgh Steelers are 3-0, but both Baltimore and Cleveland are 1-2 and the Bengals are winless. The Ravens aren’t going to stay bad, so the focus of these trade offers will be on Cincinnati and the Browns’ talent.

WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5)

Higgins is currently playing on the franchise tag as he and the Bengals were unable to work out an agreement all summer. Playing on the fifth-year option, he’s earning $21.8 million a year, so he’d cost Dallas a large chunk of their remaining space at $1.2 million for each week left in the season when acquired.

But the Bengals are struggling, already at 0-3 for the year. If they don’t win a few games in a row, the season is lost and it would make perfect sense to give up Higgins for a fourth rounder in 2025. The kicker? The two-time 1,000-yard receiver be a free agent rental that will likely get his next team a 2026 third or fourth-round comp pick.

DT BJ Hill, Bengals

Another potential Bengal to keep an eye on is interior defensive lineman BJ Hill. Hill is the player Dallas was hoping Jordan Phillips was, a 310-plus three-tech with pass-rush and run-stopping ability. The 2018 Giants’ third-round has three different seasons with at least 4.5 sacks.

DE Trey Hendrickson, Bengals

Likely a non-starter, but the Cowboys have a need at the position. This becomes more true if Lawrence is out for much of the season as the team has been a bit cryptic on exactly what is wrong with his foot.

Hendrickson is a similar build to Lawrence, though a more prolific sack artist and not as good at setting the edge. He’s not the best fit as he has only played on the right side, Parsons’ side, and rarely kicks inside. He’s also signed through 2025 and won’t be a free agent like the others on this list, but he’s too good of a talent to not ask about if the Bengals go Fire Sale.

WR Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns

Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper celebrates after scoring on the team’s first drive during the first half against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cleveland.

Cooper made waves this summer, threatening a holdout and got the final year of his contract (originally written by the Cowboys) guaranteed. But if the Browns continue to flounder, perhaps the Cleveland front office would bite the bullet and send him back down south.

Cooper had a career high in yards in 2024, 1,250, and would make a great compliment to Lamb; they’ve proven what they could be as a duo already.

DT Quinton Jefferson, Browns

Jefferson is a traveling veteran three-tech who just signed with the Browns for about $4 million in the offseason. A lost season means he should be able to be acquired for little draft compensation and would help in a rotation in Dallas.

Key matchups for Panthers vs. Bengals in Week 4

Once a weakness, the Panthers’ offensive line has proven to be a major strength this season. But they’ll have to deal with a big loss in Week 4.

Which sets of claws should we be focusing on in Sunday’s cat fight at Bank of America Stadium?

Here are four key matchups for the Week 4 clash between the Carolina Panthers and the Cincinnati Bengals:

Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard vs. Bengals’ front seven

Quarterback Andy Dalton may have been the star in Carolina’s stunning 36-22 upset win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but it was Hubbard who was the engine. The fourth-year back rushed for 114 yards on 21 carries while adding another 55 yards and a score on five catches.

Hubbard will be facing a Bengals defense that has allowed 142.3 rushing yards per game, the seventh-most in the league.

Panthers LG Chandler Zavala vs. Bengals DT Zach Carter

Hubbard can find some more holes with the help of Zavala, who will be starting in place of an injured Damien Lewis. The second-year lineman will have to step up in pass protection as well, as Lewis’ 80.9 pass-blocking grade ranks sixth amongst all NFL guards.

He’ll be matching up against a fellow spot starter in Carter, who’s in for Sheldon Rankins. Carter got the start in last week’s loss to the Washington Commanders, where he recorded half a sack.

Panthers CB Jaycee Horn vs. Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase

Cincinnati’s Week 4 loss to the Commanders also saw Chase hit the end zone for the first time in 2024. In fact, he hit it twice—once on a 41-yarder and once on a 31-yarder.

Horn, who had Las Vegas Raiders star Davante Adams strapped in last Sunday, will have to prevent Chase from finding the big play with quarterback Joe Burrow.

Panthers CB Mike Jackson vs. Bengals WR Tee Higgins

We have another intriguing wideout vs. corner battle, as Jackson has proved to be quite a late-summer find for Carolina. The sixth-year vet notched a team-high nine tackles and an interception in Week 3, further solidifying his role as the No. 2 across from Horn.

He’ll have his hands full with Higgins, who is fresh off his season debut.

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NFL expert picks: Almost no one gives the Commanders a chance to beat the Bengals

Almost no one thinks the Commanders have a chance.

The Washington Commanders (1-1) are looking for their second consecutive win on Monday night as they head to Cincinnati to face the winless Bengals (0-2).

Washington opened the week as a 7.5-point underdog to the Joe Burrow and the Bengals. Cincinnati looked like it would pick up its first win last week over the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, but a fourth-down penalty kept a late drive alive before a last-second field goal took down the Bengals.

So, the Bengals come into Monday night looking to avoid starting 0-3 and also received some good news as wide receiver Tee Higgins returns to action. He missed the first two games with a hamstring injury. Now, the Commanders’ struggling secondary must worry about defending Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins.

Few believe the Commanders can pull off the upset. According to NFL Pickwatch, 97% of the expert picks believe Cincinnati will defeat Washington.

If you’re looking for hope, remember in 2022 when the Commanders strolled into Philadelphia on a Monday night and took down the then-undefeated Bengals?

This Washington team has a dynamic young quarterback in Jayden Daniels.

Tee Higgins making his 2024 Bengals debut on MNF is a huge boost for fantasy football teams

Fantasy football teams, rejoice! Tee Higgins is back.

If your fantasy football team has been struggling in the last two weeks, worry not.

One of the best wide receivers in the NFL is making his season debut on Monday.

Cincinnati Bengals superstar Tee Higgins will return from injury on Monday Night Football, which is a massive boost to any starting lineup that needs more punch at wideout or in one of the flex spots.

While Higgins shares receptions with fellow superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, he figures to factor heavily once again into the Bengals’ passing attack.

Against a vulnerable Washington Commanders defense, Higgins could make a splash in his 2024 debut. Your fantasy team should benefit from here on out if Higgins is on the roster and stays healthy.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins set to play vs. Commanders on Monday night. pic.twitter.com/GeKayIZLuG

— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2024

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