With healthy QB Joe Burrow back in charge, Bengals expect to improve on last season's 9-8 record

CINCINNATI BENGALS (9-8)

EXPECTATIONS: With a season-ending injury to quarterback Joe Burrow last November, the Bengals were fortunate to finish a game over .500, albeit in last place in the AFC North. Burrow's surgically repaired right wrist is OK now, and for at least one more season he'll have receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins together as his primary playmakers. Chase ended his contract “hold-in” and practiced for the first time this summer on Sunday, Aug. 25, two weeks before Cincinnati opens the season against the New England Patriots. New running back Zack Moss had the best season of his career last season at Indianapolis (794 yards, five TDs), and tight end Mike Gesicki jumped from New England as a proven pass-catcher. As Burrow goes, so go the Bengals, so if the offensive line can keep his uniform clean, the 2024 season will be much better. The Bengals hope some new additions on the defensive line and another year of experience for some young defensive backs will help lessen the frequency of explosive plays allowed by the unit last season.

NEW FACES: Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, RB Zack Moss, TE Mike Gesicki, OT Trent Brown, WR Jermaine Burton (rookie), OT Amarius Mims (rookie), DT Sheldon Rankins, DT Kris Jenkins (rookie), S Vonn Bell, S Geno Stone.

KEY LOSSES: Offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, WR Tyler Boyd, OT Jonah Williams, RB Joe Mixon, TE Irv Smith Jr., S Nick Scott, CB Chidobe Awuzie, DT D.J. Reader.

STRENGTHS: When healthy, Burrow is one of the most creative, accurate quarterbacks in the NFL and he throws to Chase, one of the league's most versatile and dynamic playmakers. Higgins, who is playing with the franchise tag and likely will be gone after the season, gives Burrow another playmaker with whom the quarterback is completely comfortable. The Bengals are counting on newcomer Moss to step in at running back to eat up some yards and help protect Burrow. The No. 3 receiver position is wide open, with a number of possibilities there. The new tight end, Gesicki, has three 50-catch NFL seasons.

WEAKNESSES: Cincinnati's defense last season gave up way too many explosive plays, those that went for at least 20 yards in the air or 15 on the ground. They allowed those more often than any team in the NFL. The Bengals offensive line was pushed around, and the run defense was among the worst in the league. Having lost their main run-stopper, D.J. Reader, to free agency, Cincinnati signed free agent DT Sheldon Rankins and drafted DTs Kris Jenkins from Michigan and McKinnley Jackson from Texas A&M. They added S Geno Stone from Baltimore and brought back S Vonn Bell. The hope is 2022 first-round draft pick Dax Hill can lock down a cornerback spot after moving from safety.

CAMP DEVELOPMENT: The biggest question coming into camp was whether Burrow can bring back the magic to the Bengals offense after rehabbing his surgically repaired right wrist. The quarterback said he took his time with the rehab this time after adverse results from trying to come back too quickly from previous injuries. Burrow played the first series of the initial preseason game, completing 5 of 7 passes for 51 yards, including a 10-yard TD pass to Higgins.

FANTASY PLAYER TO WATCH: At 24, Chase is well-established as one of the league's premier wideouts. He had 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. He finished 2023 with 1,216 yards and seven TDs, and that was playing the final nine games with backup quarterback Jake Browning after Burrow went down. With a healthy Burrow, Chase should be poised for a huge year.

BetMGM Sportsbook: Win Super Bowl: 14-1. Over/under wins: 10 1/2.

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The Associated Press