The Cincinnati Bengals showed some improvement in Week 2 compared to their Week 1 performance, but they still couldn’t secure a victory. Now sitting at 0-2 for the third season in a row, they’re desperate to avoid an 0-3 start. A win against the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football in Week 3 is crucial.
Here are three key issues the Bengals must address ahead of their matchup with Washington to boost their chances of finally claiming their first win of the season.
Lack of involvement for Ja’Marr Chase
One pressing issue the Bengals need to resolve is Ja’Marr Chase’s limited involvement in the offense. In the season opener, Chase recorded six catches for 62 yards on six targets, followed by a quiet four-catch, 35-yard game against Kansas City in Week 2, with only five targets in that matchup.
For a receiver as talented as Chase, these numbers are far from acceptable. After two games, he has just 10 receptions on 11 targets for 97 yards and no touchdowns—especially concerning given that Cincinnati’s second-best receiver, Tee Higgins, was sidelined for both contests. A player of Chase’s caliber needs to be a much bigger focal point in the Bengals’ offense.
The Bengals must find a way to get Chase more involved in the offense moving forward. Cincinnati’s attack is most effective when Chase is utilized as a downfield threat, which not only boosts the passing game but also opens up opportunities for the running game—a problem area that the Bengals also need to address.
An anemic ground game
Just as the Bengals need to involve Ja’Marr Chase more, they also have to get their ground game on track. Through two games, Cincinnati is averaging only 72 rushing yards per contest, ranking third-worst in the NFL, ahead of just the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams.
To build momentum in the run game, the Bengals need to commit to it. Starting running back Zack Moss has totaled only 21 carries in the first two games, while second-string back Chase Brown has had just seven attempts. Despite his limited chances, Brown is averaging an impressive 7.8 yards per carry this season. It might be worth giving him more opportunities to see if he can spark the run game.
Run defense
While the Bengals have had trouble jumpstarting their own ground game, they’ve also struggled to stop opponents from running all over them. Cincinnati has allowed 319 rushing yards through two games, averaging 159.5 yards per contest—one of the worst in the league. Allowing that many yards on the ground makes it difficult to win, as it enables opponents to control the pace of the game. The Bengals need to find a way to tighten up their run defense.
By improving their ground game on both sides of the ball, Cincinnati should put themselves in a much better position to secure their first win of the season against Washington.
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