The Cincinnati Bengals had a roster that finished the 2024 regular season with five consecutive wins. And for everyone harping on a slow start, they could’ve had six straight if they had defeated the hated Pittsburgh Steelers. But despite scoring 38 points, the defense relinquished 44.
Missing out on the playoffs by one game was heartbreaking. Nevertheless, we knew that the team did not need to make wholesale changes, but rather tweak a few spots here and there. And that is precisely what they did.
The defense, which surrendered 18.8 points per game over the last five weeks, returns essentially intact.