The Cincinnati Bengals lost three of their first four games in 2023 before finishing with a 9-8 record and in fourth place in the AFC North, and they followed that up by losing four of their first five in 2024 on their way to a 9-8 record and third-place finish in the division.
So, to say that the Bengals are slow starters has been an understatement in recent years, but head coach Zac Taylor is doing his best to put an end to this trend and get his team going on the right foot.
On Thursday, Taylor explained that while his team won't be holding joint practices in 2025, they'll be playing their starters more in preseason games and will practice in the morning more frequently throughout training camp (per CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones).
Cincinnati doesn't have the most difficult schedule this year. In fact, it's ranked 17th in strength-of-schedule based on their opponents' projected win totals from Vegas oddsmakers. And, to the start off the season, they have four winnable games in September with matchups against the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos.
If the Bengals can begin their upcoming campaign 4-0 or 3-1 in the first month, they'll give themselves some wiggle room for a tough three-week stretch later in the year when they take on the Baltimore Ravens twice with the Buffalo Bills in between the home and away.
Cincinnati has the offensive firepower to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league, but there are still many questions on the defense, especially considering Trey Hendrickson and first-round pick Shemar Stewart still aren't practicing due to contract situations.
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If these early practices and extra reps in preseason can help Al Golden's unit be ready to go full throttle for their season opener at Huntington Bank Field, they will have been worth it.
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