Bears poised for potential quarterback advantage against struggling Bengals
The Chicago Bears may be in for a favorable matchup this Sunday as they prepare to face the Cincinnati Bengals, who could be without their veteran quarterback, Joe Flacco. Recent reports indicate that Flacco is dealing with a shoulder injury, casting doubt on his availability for Week 9.
Bengals’ quarterback situation in flux
Jake Browning, who stepped in as the Bengals’ starter after Joe Burrow’s unfortunate toe injury in Week 3, struggled significantly in his three starts, leading the team to an 0-3 record. During that stretch, the Bengals averaged a mere 12 points and 278 yards per game. The arrival of Flacco, however, revitalized the Bengals’ offense, as they averaged 29 points and 378 yards over the last three games, culminating in a competitive performance against the winless New York Jets last week.
Yet, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed Flacco will not practice on Wednesday, leaving his status uncertain. “We’ll see what we can potentially get out of him [on Thursday],” Taylor noted, suggesting a 50-50 chance of Flacco taking the field on Sunday.
Impact on Bears’ offense and defense
Should Flacco be sidelined, the Bears could capitalize on a Bengals defense ranked dead last in the league, allowing 31 points per game. Cincinnati has allowed 27 or more points and 350 yards in seven consecutive games, matching an unwanted record for the longest such streak in NFL history.
The Bears, coming off a disappointing 16-point outing against the Baltimore Ravens, need all the help they can muster. Their offense will be looking to exploit a defense that has shown vulnerability throughout the season. Adding to the Bears’ potential advantage, Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals’ standout defensive player and current NFL sacks leader, has also missed practice this week due to a lingering hip injury.
A critical juncture for the Bears
As the Bears aim to turn their season around, they find themselves in a position where facing a struggling Bengals team—especially one that may have to rely on Browning—could provide a much-needed boost.
With the stakes high, both teams will enter this matchup with everything on the line. For the Bears, a chance to seize a much-needed victory against a historically poor defense could be the turning point they’ve been searching for.
