The Cincinnati Bengals were officially eliminated from playoff contention after a 24-0 loss to the Ravens. They are now set to face off against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday. When asked about playing in games without postseason ramifications, Zac Taylor said,“These types of games are good character games… we know we aren’t going to the playoffs”
Unfortunately for the Bengals, they may be without star receiver Tee Higgins yet again. Despite returning to practice on Wednesday, Higgins was not spotted in the early portions of practice on Thursday.
He later joined the team during practice and was seen arriving with his helmet. Higgins has yet to clear concussion protocol. It remains to be seen whether he will clear concussion protocol in time to face the 6-8 Miami Dolphins.
Zac Taylor’s Job Security
Amidst the Bengals disappointing season, there have been plenty of rumors regarding head coach Zac Taylor’s job security. When asked about the topic, Taylor said, “I don’t think it really matters.
I coach every day like it’s my last, and I’ve been through years in 2019 and 2020 that were literally you coach every game thinking it could be your last game, and I’ve seen how we responded after that…so this year is no different.
For me, it’s going through adversity coaching every game in this profession like it could be your last one.”
Perhaps this thought process is the biggest reason why the Bengals are opting to start quarterback Joe Burrow for the remaining three games of the season, despite being technically meaningless. In fact, the Bengals would be best suited with losses in their remaining three games, as it would improve their draft position. Right now, The Cincinnati Bengals currently hold the ninth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. They have not selected that high since taking Ja’Marr Chase with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 Draft. Wins in their remaining three games might knock them out of a top ten selection.
Upcoming Game Against Miami
The Bengals will now face off against the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday. Despite the shutout loss, the Bengals defense allowed a season-low 24 points against the Ravens. Facing a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start, the Bengals defense will hope to build on last week’s performance and make life difficult for the seventh-round draft pick.
The Bengals last faced off against the Dolphins in 2022 on Thursday Night Football. On that occasion, Cincinnati came out victorious 27-15. The aforementioned Tee Higgins was the Bengals top offensive player in the game as he had seven receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown.
If Higgins is unable to play, star receiver Ja’Marr Chase will be expected to hold more of the offensive workload. Chase saw 16 targets and had 10 receptions for 132 yards against the Ravens, where Higgins was inactive. The Bengals wide receiver will likely face off against veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas, who won the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week award for his effort in Week 14 against the Jets.
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