Like a golfer who hits a bad drive, the Bengals are used to having to make recovery shots. For a second straight year, Cincinnati is 5-4 after nine games following this past Sunday’s loss to the Texans. The Bengals ended last year on a 12-game winning streak, and they’ll look to create similar magic now, starting Thursday night against the Ravens in a game they are putting significant weight on.
“I think it feels like a playoff game in November,” Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said of Thursday night’s showdown in Baltimore, via the team’s website. “Usually when we play them, it’s going to come down to probably the last possession or two. It’s usually how all these games against have gone. And you’re just mentally ready for it.”
Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who has four interceptions in his past five games, echoed Callahan’s sentiments shortly after Sunday’s loss to Houston.
“We’ve got to go win it,” he said, via FOX19. “I think it’s as simple as that man. … I don’t want to go home. Gotta go make that happen.”
A loss on Thursday night wouldn’t be the end of the world for Zac Taylor’s team. Theoretically, the Bengals could lose three more times and would probably still grab one of the AFC’s wild card spots. But a loss would be damaging given the Bengals’ 0-3 record against divisional opponents and the teams Cincinnati still has left on its schedule.
Each of the Bengals’ next three opponents (Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Jacksonville) have winning records. Their final four opponents (Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Cleveland) have a combined record of 25-12. The only remaining team the Bengals’ face that does not have a winning record is the Colts, who at 5-5 are just behind Cincinnati in the AFC standings.
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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bengals-getting-ready-for-playoff-game-in-november-against-ravens-on-thursday-night-in-week-11/
Author : Bryan DeArdo
Publish date : 2023-11-14 16:21:53
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