The Bengals rank last in the NFL in total defense (413.0 YPG) and second-to-last in scoring defense (29.5 PPG) as they travel to Cleveland for a Week 16 matchup.

Analysis: Cincinnati had one of their better defensive outings of the season in last Sunday's win against Oakland, as they allowed 16 points and 297 yards of offense while forcing two turnovers. It only took facing one of the worst and most depleted offenses in the league to garner such a performance, but still, progress in progress. The last meeting with the Browns came Week 12 and Cleveland scored 35 points through the first three quarters to hand Cincinnati a lopsided defeat. The Browns rank in the…read more

Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict is nursing a concussion as Sunday's game against Oakland inches closer.

Analysis: Burfict's presence would certainly give the Bengals a boost, but probably to no avail. Cincinnati draws an Oakland offense in Week 15 that has endured its struggles. Yet, it seems more stars would have to align for the Bengals to begin warranting our serious attention. Cincinnati currently sits on a throne of disappointment as the league's worst-ranked total and scoring defense (421.9 YPG, 30.5 PPG). Some teams warrant matchup plays depending on the opposition. Cincinnati is one of the few…read more

Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick is nursing a foot injury ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Analysis: Regardless if Kirkpatrick plays, the Bengals are another defense to avoid in Week 14. Much of the season has been a struggle in Cincinnati, and while injuries are certainly responsible for the backwards slide, the defense has been (nicely put) lackluster in 2018. The Chargers have been somewhat overshadowed by their LA counterpart this year, but they're not a team to sleep on this week. Even without Melvin Gordon (knee) the Chargers hung 33 points on the Steelers during last week's 33-30…read more

The Bengals boast the league's worst-ranked total defense (439.6 YPG) entering Week 13 action.

Analysis: It's been a struggled to say the least for Cincinnati in 2018 and perhaps rock bottom was met following last week's 35-20 home loss to the Browns. The defeat marked the fourth time in the last five games in which the Bengals allowed 34-plus points. At 5-6, Marvin Lewis' squad is not out of contention for a wild card berth, but things appear to trending in the wrong direction...fast. Sunday's pivotal draw against Denver will featurew a pair of 5-6 teams with everything to lose. Although not…read more

The Bengals enter their Week 12 game against the Browns allowing a league-worst 449.2 yards per game.

Analysis: The Bengals managed to break a string of three straight games allowing 500-plus yards of offense in last week's 24-21 loss to the Ravens, but still managed to allow 265 yards rushing, including 117 to rookie QB Lamar Jackson in his first career start. Middle linebacker Preston Brown (knee) has now been placed on injured reserve while Nick Vigil continues to nurse a knee issue, as the injuries have debilitated the group of linebackers. The Browns offense has been inconsistent this season with…read more

The Bengals surrendered 509 total yards of offense during last week's 51-14 loss to the Saints. Cincinnati takes on the Ravens in Week 11.

Analysis: On one hand, it seems as though nobody has discovered the formula for slowing the Saints' offense. Even so, Cincinnati's Swiss-cheese defensive efforts have been a recurring bug. The poor defensive showing marked the third consecutive game in which the Bengals have conceded 500-plus yards of offense. Likewise, Marvin Lewis' squad has yielded at least 28 points in each of its last four contests. The only way for Cincinnati to win is apparently to score on each possession, otherwise it's a lost…read more

The Bengals enter Week 10 with NFL's 30th-ranked scoring defense (29.6 PPG). They'll face the Bengals on Sunday.

Analysis: It shouldn't take much persuasion to deter you from the league's 30th-ranked scoring defense, but if there was any evidence needed look no further than Cincinnati's opponent this week. Not only do the Saints possess the league's second-best scoring offense generating 34.9 PPG, but New Orleans is also one of only seven teams netting over 400.0 YPG this season. Barring any 32-person league formats, Cincinnati seems like an obvious pass for Week 10 action.

LB Vontaze Burfict is nursing a hip injury ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Analysis: There's a possibility the Bengals could be without two starting linebackers in Burfict and Nick Vigil (knee), but absences from either or both players shouldn't change mindsets too much considering the team's collective defensive struggles up to this point. The Bengals rank 31st in the NFL in total defense (429.4 yards per game allowed) and rank 28th in scoring defense (29.0 points per game). Tampa Bay has cooled off a bit since its sizzling-hot start, but there has been little to no evidence…read more

The Bengals rank 29th in the NFL with 409.2 yards allowed per game heading into Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Analysis: The Steelers racked up almost 500 yards of offense Week 6 in their 28-21 win over Cincinnati, a game in which the Bengals lost top tackler Nick Vigil to a sprained MCL. Kansas City ranks second in the league in scoring (35.8 points), fifth in yards (418.5 yards), first in sacks allowed (six), and tied for second in fewest giveaways (five). Second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes is enjoying an impressive season, throwing for over 300 yards or multiple touchdowns in each of the first six games.…read more

Cincinnati ranks 25th in total defense (394.8 yards per game) entering the Week 6 contest against Pittsburgh.

Analysis: The Bengals defense came up big in the second half against Miami last week. Not only did Cincinnati hold the Dolphins to just three second-half points after allowing 14 points in the first half, but the unit also scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to aid a comeback from a 17-point deficit. Pittsburgh is more formidable offense than Miami, so it's unlikely Cincinnati will be able to dig themselves out of a similar hole should one be presented during Sunday's affair. Aside from last…read more

The Bengals rank 29th in the NFL in total defense (419.3 yards per game).

Analysis: Cincinnati's offensive output has largely masked some deep defensive holes through the first four games of the year. The Bengals have given up 20-plus points in each contest this year despite coming away victorious in three of those games. It's tough to score at will in this league and the defensive inefficiencies could ultimately catch up to the Bengals if they don't correct some of their issues sooner than later. The Bengals will draw a Miami team fresh off their first loss of the season in…read more

Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson (knee) is deemed questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Analysis: The Bengals will do all they can to make sure Johnson is ready for Sunday's contest. Having lacked a strong, consistent pass rush in Week 3's loss to Carolina, Cincinnati realizes the recipe for limiting the high-octane NFC South offenses starts and ends with a viable pass rush. Despite the 2-1 record and a position atop the AFC North standings, the Bengals defense has been somewhat underwhelming through three games. In each of the three contests, Cincinnati has surrendered 23 or more points…read more

Cincinnati linebacker Preston Brown (ankle) is considered to be questionable for Sunday's game at Carolina.

Analysis: Brown was held out of last week's divisional showdown but the Bengals were able to stymie Joe Flacco for most of the game before the Ravens offense finally began clicking a little too late. We're two games in and the Bengals have knocked off two AFC teams each by a score of 34-23. Sunday's trip to Carolina will likely bring about a much more challenging opposition with Cam Newton under center. The Panthers are only averaging 20.0 points per game, but Ron Rivera's bunch is more capable of an…read more

Bengals linebacker Preston Brown (ankle) is considered questionable ahead of Thursday's divisional tilt with the Ravens.

Analysis: The short week does Brown no favors as he looks to get back to full health following the Week 1 ankle injury. There is no disputing Brown's value to this defense, but the Bengals were able to stay afloat after Brown was forced out of Sunday's contest. Cincinnati's second half defensive dominance, capped by Clayton Fejedelem's 83-yard fumble return for a touchdown, proves that Marvin Lewis' squad is bigger than one man. Thursday's matchup against Baltimore could bring about a more challenging…read more

Linebacker Vontaze Burfict's status for Sunday's game against the Ravens is unclear as he deals with a shoulder injury.

Analysis: The Bengals gave up 77 points to the Bears and Vikings during Burfict's two-game absence earlier this month, so if he is unable to play the regular season finale the defense's fantasy prospects dwindle significantly. Even so, the Ravens have been a much better offense in the latter stages of the season and are tied for sixth in the NFL with only 16 giveaways. Baltimore also ranks ninth in sacks allowed (26), but still average only 304.9 total yards per game. The Bengals rank middle of the…read more

Linebacker Vontaze Burfict is clear of his concussion and won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Lions.

Analysis: Burfict missed the last two games and his return should provide a significant boost to the Bengals team that gave up 77 points to the Bears and Vikings over the last two weeks. Cincinnati gives up a league-worst 131.5 rushing yards per game and also ranks 31st with only 12 takeaways. Burfict's return should make a major difference for the entire unit, and the Lions offense is currently in the bottom half of the league with 21 turnovers and has a nearly non-existent running game. The matchup…read more

Linebacker Vontaze Burfict and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick have both been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings with concussions.

Analysis: Linebacker Nick Vigil (ankle) has also been ruled out and safety Shawn Williams (hamstring) is listed as questionable, while linebacker Kevin Minter (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve this week. Suffice it to say the Bengals defense will be operating at less than full strength this week. The Vikings have committed only 13 turnovers this season (fourth in the NFL) and rank seventh in total yardage (369.3 per game). The Bengals have been a solid defensive unit in 2017 but injuries coupled…read more

Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict is dealing with concussion-like symptoms ahead of Sunday's game against Chicago.

Analysis: Normally the distributor, Burfict fell victim to a brutal blindside block during Monday's game against the Steelers that left him visibly shaken up. While Burfict is as tough as they come, he'll have to clear the league's concussion protocol before he can find his way back onto the field. With the prospects of his availability rather murky, it's possible the Bengals will have to rely on the likes of Jordan Evans or Carl Lawson to fill a void. Even if he can't play, the Bengals figure to hold…read more

Bengals linebacker Nick Vigil is dealing with an ankle injury ahead of Monday's game against Pittsburgh.

Analysis: Even if Vigil can give it a go Monday, the prospects of a Cincinnati strong showing defensively against one of the league's most potent offenses seems rather low. Steelers wideout Antonio Brown is in another stratosphere despite facing double teams week in and week out and Le'Veon Bell leads the league in rushing with 981 yards. The duo are too dynamic to shutdown and betting against them should carry a hefty fine. No disrespect to the Bengals defense, but the Pittsburgh offense is just too…read more

Linebacker Vinny Rey and safety Shawn Williams have both been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns with hamstring injuries.

Analysis: Despite the injuries, the Bengals will be one the the best defensive fantasy options this week as they go up against the Cleveland Browns. Cincinnati has been solid defensively this season, allowing 19.9 points and 323 yards per game, while Cleveland features the NFL's worst scoring offense at 15 points per game. The Browns have 28 giveaways on the season, including a staggering 20 interceptions, which should greatly benefit a Bengals defense that has struggled to force turnovers. Cincinnati is…read more

Safety Shawn Williams continues to deal with a hamstring injury.

Analysis: Williams was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday after sitting out last Sunday's loss to the Titans, so his status for Week 11 remains up in the air. With or without Williams, the Bengals matchup against the Broncos on Sunday is bound to draw some attention, as Denver's offense continues to be one of the worst in the NFL. The Broncos are averaging only 12 points per game since Week 2, scoring 20 points or more only once in that span. Turnovers have been a major issue as well with 21…read more