13 teams not in the NFC East have played against an NFC East team so far this season, and the Cincinnati Bengals are one of the three teams that haven’t beaten a team from that sorry division yet. They’re the only one of the 13 that have played multiple NFC East teams and haven’t come out victorious.
It’s just another layer and perspective of futility to judge the Bengals on this year.
The Bengals will get their third chance at breaking through the NFL’s worst division this week in a home game against the 3-7 New York Giants. Such a task is easier said than done now that the Bengals’ best player and unquestioned leader is out for the year, and Zac Taylor’s team has a lot to prove without Joe Burrow carrying them for the remaining six weeks of the season.
In for Burrow this week will be Brandon Allen, who last started a football game just over one year ago for the Denver Broncos. Allen will have the Bengals’ full receiving corps—sans Auden Tate—but will have to survive behind the offensive line that was responsible for Burrow’s torn ACL and MCL in his left knee.
Luckily, the Giants’ pass rush might even be worse than the Bengals’ lackluster unit. New York’s NFC team is just unimpressive on multiple fronts and Daniel Jones is an inconsistent turnover machine. Their overall incompetence should give the Bengals hope for their third, and maybe final, win on the season.
For all the latest news, updates, and analysis on the Bengals’ Week 12 matchup with the Giants, use this steam as your need-to-know guide.