Panthers looking to start a Win Streak against Bengals

by Sharon Thorsland

The Panthers are riding high after their first win of the season and are looking to keep the momentum going Sunday when they host the Bengals. Can they repeat the success they had in Las Vegas? It won’t be easy, even thought the Bengals sport an 0-3 record. You heard that right: Joe Burrow and the Bengals are winless to start the season after losing to the Commanders on Monday Night Football.

But don’t count them out just yet. The Bengals have star quarterback Joe Burrow and a bevy of weapons, including Pro Bowl receiver Ja’Marr Chase and former Clemson standout Tee Higgins. Veteran tight end Mike Gisecki is also a threat. But it all runs through Burrow, who is healthy again after a wrist injury limited him last season. “He’s talented, he checks every box,” said Panther safety Nick Scott. “He’s smart, he can make every throw, has great receivers – he’s the whole package.”

While the Bengal’s passing game is doing just fine, the run game isn’t so great. The Bengals are managing just 89 rushing yards per game, that’s 28th in the league. Running back Joe Mixon was traded away and replaced with former Colts starter Zack Moss. He teams with second year player Chase Brown, who is averaging an amazing 7.4 yards per carry. The Panthers did a much better job stopping the run against the Raiders last week than they did in the first two games, so look for them to continue that effort against the Bengals.

Stopping the run has also been a problem for the Bengals, who give up 142 yards per game on the ground. Injuries have been part of the problem, as standout defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and former Wolfpacker B.J. Hill have both been out with hamstring injuries. But Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson is still there and he creates problems for opposing quarterbacks – he had a career high 17.5 sacks last season and has picked up where he left off with three already this season. Veteran linebackers Logan Wilson and former NC State standout Germaine Pratt each have 33 tackles on the season, that’s tied for 4th in the NFL.

The Bengals are very good against the pass, limiting teams to just 168 yards per game through the air, that’s 8th in the league. Anchoring the secondary is hard hitting safety Vonn Bell, who is back in Cincy after spending last season with the Panthers. He’s very familiar with quarterback Andy Dalton, who posted 319 passing yards and three touchdowns against the Raiders.

This is just the 8th time these teams have met – the last meeting was back in 2022, a Bengals win. The Panthers have won all three matchups at Bank of America stadium, though, and you can bet Dalton is fired up to face his former team. “Their record doesn’t show exactly who they are,” said Dalton. ‘“Everybody knows what kind of players they have over there and the success that they’ve had. You can’t take them lightly.