The Cincinnati Bengals commanded the news cycle ahead of their Week 8 game against the San Francisco 49ers in large part thanks to an unfortunate development surrounding an injury to a rookie.
Beyond that, the team issued its final injury report for the game, declaring two players out. Star wideout Ja’Marr Chase also made a pretty revealing comment about the offense.
Plus, it’s NFL picks time for Week 8, with plenty of experts weighing in on whether they think the team will keep the hot streak going against a good 49ers team.
Here’s a look at the must-know Bengals news, notes and quotes for October 28.
Bengals fans want Hayden Hurst -- Bengals Wire
This one just keeps gaining steam, at least with fans. Bengals fans really want to see the return of Hayden Hurst via trade, so much so that it’s one of the most common topics amongst fans right now.
Chase Brown injury update -- Bengals Wire
It’s not great. One day after it sounded like coaches had a bigger plan for the fifth-round rookie running back, the team had to declare him out on the final injury report due to a hamstring injury suffered in practice. The search for answers behind Joe Mixon continues.
Ja'Marr Chase's comments -- Bengals Wire
Chase had some pretty revealing comments on Friday, noting that a big scheme change is a big reason the offense should only keep getting better as the season continues. It also might go a long way toward explaining why the offense had such a slow start this season.
Bengals thrilled with Dax Hill -- Bengals Wire
Bengals coaches are incredibly happy with Dax Hill’s development so far. After losing Jessie Bates, his ability to quickly come in and provide a steady presence has been a boon for the defense. Now he gets a major test against 49ers tight end George Kittle.
Experts split on Bengals-49ers -- ESPN
Of the two experts polled at ESPN, they each pick a different team in this one. But this is a notable excerpt to keep in mind:
Bold prediction: Cincinnati’s offense will hit 30 points against the 49ers. During San Francisco’s two-game skid, the 49ers are allowing 5.8 yards per play. This is a bad trend to have right now considering Burrow is the healthiest he has been all season. — Ben Baby
Three of five experts take 49ers -- NFL.com
Elsewhere, just two of five experts take the Bengals in this matchup. One explains why it’s the 49ers: “I tend to believe Kyle Shanahan when he says he trusts backup Sam Darnold. The coach knows how to juggle quarterbacks. On the other hand, I’m not quite ready to trust Lou Anarumo’s run defense, at least not in this matchup. Just when it looks like these two teams are heading in opposite directions, I like San Francisco to earn a hard-fought victory at home heading into the bye week.”
One more for the 49ers -- CBS Sports
While predicting a 27-24 49ers win, CBS Sports offers this, primarily arguing picking the Bengals by a +5.5 spread, but not outright: “The 49ers have lost two straight games and the defense struggled against Kirk Cousins. Now they get a good Bengals offense that is coming off a bye, which is good for Joe Burrow and his calf. I think Burrow and the Bengals offense will be able to keep this one close.”
Last year helps make this year's pick -- The Athletic
The Athletic is all-in on the Bengals, in large part because of how similar things feel to last year: “Their QB, Brock Purdy, is in the concussion protocol, but I am on the Bengals regardless if he plays or not. Last season, the Bengals won nine straight games, including the postseason, after their bye week. This season, they won two straight before last week’s bye and Joe Burrow looked like his old self after people questioned him and the team after a 1-3 start. The Bengals defense is also seventh in pressure rate.”
Buying up the Bengals
This pick boils down to something simple enough — not overthinking it while comparing quarterbacks…and it’s not close: “I could see the 49ers creating turnovers and running their way to a win here. But it could be Darnold vs. Burrow, and Burrow is getting more than a field goal? I’m sorry. I’m not going to overthink it.”
