A week ago, the theme the “Bengals are back” surrounded the Cincinnati Bengals after the explosive post-bye showing.
That’s only amplified to extreme degrees after the Sunday night win over the Buffalo Bills.
Just like that, the Bengals have won four in a row, fully looking like the Super Bowl contender that was promised before Joe Burrow’s calf injury over the summer.
Not only have the Bengals won four in a row, they took down two other purported contenders during a sequence many fans would have been fine with going 1-1 by beating the 49ers in San Francisco and the Bills on primetime.
Here’s a look at some of the national reactions to the showing for the Bengals.
Kay Adams
Bengals.
The quarterback.
The defense.
The fans.
The experience. Tops.— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) November 6, 2023
A fun, all-encompassing look at the Bengals right now — and especially Joe Burrow’s numbers over the last two games.
Pat McAfee
The Cincinnati Bengals are ALL the way BACK#PMSLive #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/ytKUkZEJ1x
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 6, 2023
“They know what they have right now” is a great line to explain what the understanding of both the organization and fans as the team looks ready to gear up for another deep playoff run.
Good Morning Football
"I like the way that [the Bengals won] because it wasn't just the Ja'Marr Chase show… It just showed a lot of balance for them offensively."@ShaunOHara60 on the Bengals 4th straight win pic.twitter.com/CngS1DggqQ
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) November 6, 2023
GMFB liked the way the Bengals used so many different weapons besides the obvious.
Speak
“Joe Burrow when he’s healthy is top 2 to me… and I wouldn’t really entertain much discussion”
#WhoDey @Bengals pic.twitter.com/KLxC1dNLsM
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) November 6, 2023
Top quarterback discussions start with Joe Burrow right now.
First Things First
"Joe Burrow is clearly the 2nd best quarterback in the league. The Bengals are clearly the 2nd most dangerous team in the AFC, more than the Ravens. … But Cincinnati's schedule is still brutal."
— @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/XfE6veF1O9
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) November 6, 2023
And again, albeit with some concerns about Cincinnati’s schedule
Albert Breer
Bengals playing like a team that is 8-0: “Indeed, Burrow’s running to extend plays and pick up first downs, and doing everything we’ve become accustomed to seeing him do. Which means I, at least, am getting close to the point where I don’t feel the need to ask about the calf much anymore.”
ESPN
Burrow back in MVP talk: “It may seem early, but the answer is a resounding yes. Now that he’s back to full strength following his right calf injury, Burrow has steered the offense to two quality performances and helped the Bengals beat two division winners in back-to-back weeks (San Francisco and Buffalo). Burrow was 31-of-44 for 348 yards and two touchdowns against the Bills.”
NFL.com
The defense is heating up too: “At one point, the Bills went four straight possessions without running more than five plays, with the first three of those drives combining for no yards. It wasn’t a perfect night — the Bengals gave up ground late and also hovered under a 20% pressure rate until deep in the fourth quarter — but the lack of pass rush might make the successes even more impressive. Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt and linebacker Germaine Pratt were the standouts.”
