Cincinnati Bengals – Seattle Seahawks
USA - NFL
15-10-2023 19:00 CET
The Cincinnati Bengals entered the season as one of the top contenders for the title after playing in the conference finals and Super Bowl in the previous two years. However, five weeks into the season, things took a sudden turn. The Bengals sit at 2-3, and after this game, they'll face the San Francisco 49ers and the Buffalo Bills, two top 3 teams in the NFL. This means that if they lose to the Seattle Seahawks and fall to 2-4, making it to the playoffs will become a very challenging mission. The reason for the poor results in the first few weeks is the calf injury of their superstar, Joe Burrow. He didn't feel comfortable until last week when the Bengals outplayed the Arizona Cardinals on the road (20:34). When Burrow is at 100%, the Bengals' offense is one of the most powerful in the league, although the offensive line is below par. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins form a lethal wide receiver tandem, and running back Joe Mixon is always there to deliver.
The Seattle Seahawks enter this game after a bye week, having had more than enough time to prepare for the Cincinnati Bengals. After a loss in the opening week to the Los Angeles Rams, Pete Carroll's team achieved three consecutive wins, although some of the opponents were the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants, two of the weakest teams in the NFC. The triumph against the Detroit Lions was exceptional, but far from them shining enough to be classified among the best teams in the conference. Their defense plays really well, while Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf can always make a game-changing play. There's no doubt that this team will be exceptionally well-prepared for their visit to Ohio, but that's no guarantee of securing a victory.
Before the start of the season, the Cincinnati Bengals were considered a top 5 team in the NFL, while the Seattle Seahawks were expected to be a fringe playoff team. The Bengals' poor results in the first few weeks changed that perception, although the reasons for this were already mentioned. Burrow performed excellently against the Arizona Cardinals, and it seems he's close to being 100%. When that's the case, the Bengals' offense can destroy any defense in the league. The Seahawks' offense is good, but not good enough to keep up with the opponent this week. The Bengals know that a loss could end their season here, and there's no doubt they'll be highly motivated to achieve a crucial win and prevent their season from slipping away when they have the potential to go all the way if things align.