Andy Dalton revenge game.
The last game between the Carolina Panthers and the Cincinnati Bengals looked a lot like the first two games of this season. That came back in 2022. The Panthers lost that game 42-21, but even that lopsided score line doesn’t do the game justice. The Bengals led 35-0 at halftime while the Panthers offense did this:
- 3-and-out
- 3-and-out
- 3-and-out
- Interception (2 plays)
- 4-and-out (thanks to a Bengals penalty)
- Interception (2 plays)
Then the Panthers fumbled a kickoff return with no time on the clock for good measure.
Thankfully, even though that game was just two seasons ago, very few of the players involved in that game are still around with the scars it created. PJ Walker started at quarterback and threw for nine first half yards. D’Onta Foreman led the team in rushing and Terrace Marshall led the team in receiving.
Things have changed a lot. Now the Panthers will be quarterbacked by former Bengals franchise quarterback Andy Dalton. Chuba Hubbard has carried a strong ground game, and the wide receiver group has talent. I’m going to be bold and guess that they’ll go over the 32 yards they gained in the first half of their last meeting with the Bengals.
- And while we’re talking about times a’changin’, the Bengals aren’t exactly the force they were supposed to be and have been in recent seasons. They’re 0-3 with all three losses coming by one score. The offense has been mostly fine after a clunky ten point showing in Week 1, but the defense has been underwhelming. They’ve allowed their opponents to score more points week over week, with rookie Jayden Daniels hanging 38 on them this past Sunday.
The Panthers offense was as effective last week as the Bengals defense was ineffective. They’ll try to replicate that on Sunday. Here’s how that happens.
- Keep the Bengals pass rush bogged down. The Bengals have had a pass rush equally as anemic as the Panthers’. They have just five sacks, and three are from Trey Hendrickson. Second on the team in sacks is a cornerback. If the Panthers are able to keep Hendrickson at bay like they did Maxx Crosby, there isn’t really anyone left on the Bengals front four that’s a good bet to create a ton of pressure.
- Get Xavier Legette involved. Adam Thielen went to IR with a hamstring injury, which means more snaps for Jonathan Mingo and Xavier Legette. Mingo’s touches have been terrifying this season, so it’d be nice to see the rookie out of South Carolina turn into the team’s number two. He looked explosive on a 35 yard catch and run against the Raiders. More of that would be nice.
- Keep the vibes high. Normally I talk more about the opposition, but the Bengals are so unremarkable defensively that it’s hard to pick out talking points. They’re not especially bad at anything, but they aren’t good at anything either. They’re devoid of star power on that side of the ball as well. That said, it’s up to the Panthers to continue riding the momentum they created in Week 3. On paper, the Bengals don’t look like they’re going to put up much more resistance than the Raiders did, so Dalton and the rest of the offense should be able to put up a respectable amount of points if they play like last week.
The Bengals are a theoretical good team that’s desperate for a win. That’s a scary adversary for a team like the Panthers, but the good guys have much better mojo working for them. A win is anything but certain, but the offense has every opportunity to produce another big day.