The Cincinnati Bengals are 2-0, and the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season have given us plenty of reasons to feel good about this team — but there are still some major questions that need to be answered. John Sheeran breaks down two things he already feels confident about and two things he still doesn't know about the Bengals after their first two games. The first answer is Amarius Mims. After emerging as one of the NFL's best right tackles late last season, Mims has continued to dominate in 2026. Through roughly 73 dropback situations, Mims has allowed only one pressure and has a pass-blocking efficiency above 99%, putting him among the league leaders at his position. John explains why Mims has already established himself as a cornerstone piece of the Bengals roster and why the conversation around him has finally shifted away from his injury history and toward his performance on the field. The second answer is D.J. Turner. After an impressive 2025 season and a strong training camp, Turner has continued to play at a high level through two games. He's been strong in man coverage, has recorded multiple pass breakups and has quietly established himself as one of the most important players in Cincinnati's secondary. But there are also two major questions. The first is linebacker Barry Carter. Carter has shown plenty of promise against the run, but his struggles in coverage were exposed against Houston. John explains why Cincinnati needs to determine whether Carter can improve enough in coverage to remain on the field in critical situations. The second question involves the Bengals' receiver depth. With Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins commanding defensive attention, Cincinnati needs its other receivers to contribute. John examines the roles of Andre Joseph, Colby Young, Dante Meyers and Yoshi, and whether some of the younger receivers could eventually earn more opportunities. The Bengals are 2-0, but the season is still very young. John also explains why it's too early to make sweeping conclusions about Cincinnati or the rest of the NFL after only two weeks. What do we know about the Bengals? What are we still waiting to find out? And which players could dramatically change Cincinnati's ceiling over the next few months? John Sheeran breaks down the two biggest answers and two biggest questions surrounding the Bengals after their 2-0 start. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, analysis, game reactions, player breakdowns, previews and everything you need throughout the 2026 NFL season. #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL 0:00 The Bengals are 2-0, but I still have questions 0:42 Why 2-0 tells us a lot about Cincinnati 0:52 The Bengals' defense has raised their ceiling 1:25 Two things I know and two things I don't 2:02 Amarius Mims has ARRIVED 2:28 Mims is playing like an All-Pro 3:10 Mims is already a Bengals cornerstone 3:35 D.J. Turner is becoming a star 4:15 Turner is one of the NFL's best cornerbacks 4:47 The Bengals still have questions at linebacker 5:12 Barry Carter's coverage problems 5:35 Could Demetrius Knight take Carter's role? 6:20 The Bengals' receiver depth is a BIG question 7:00 Is Yoshi losing his role? 7:50 Don't overreact to the Bengals' 2-0 start 8:18 What will we know three months from now? Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals may have built one of the deepest defensive lines in the NFL. Dexter Lawrence is the star of the group, but the biggest development through the first two games of the 2026 season is just how many different pass rushers Cincinnati can throw at opposing quarterbacks. Against the Houston Texans, the Bengals generated an incredible 41 pressures. Even more impressive, five different Bengals pass rushers recorded at least five pressures in the same game: Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, Cashius Howell and Cedric Johnson. John Sheeran breaks down why that depth could make Cincinnati's defensive line one of the biggest strengths on the entire roster. The Bengals entered the offseason with a clear objective: build their pass rush from the inside out and create enough depth to attack opposing offenses in waves. Cincinnati added Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen, but that wasn't going to be enough by itself. The Bengals needed their young players to develop. They needed Myles Murphy to continue progressing. They needed Boye Mafe to become a consistent contributor. They needed to hit on Cashius Howell in the draft. And they needed players like Cedric Johnson to prove they could handle meaningful snaps. Two games into the season, the early results are extremely encouraging. Cashius Howell has already established himself as Cincinnati's third-best edge rusher behind Mafe and Murphy, according to John's evaluation. Howell has shown the ability to string together pass-rush moves, generate pressure and win in multiple ways. Cedric Johnson may be the biggest surprise. Johnson produced four pressures, a sack and three hurries on 11 true pass-rush opportunities against Houston, winning 45.5% of those pass-rushing opportunities. If that level of production continues from the Bengals' fourth defensive end, Cincinnati's defensive line becomes much more dangerous. Then there is Dexter Lawrence. Lawrence has been the star of the unit, but his impact extends beyond his own statistics. The attention he commands from opposing offensive lines creates one-on-one opportunities for teammates like T.J. Slaton, who has taken advantage of those opportunities. That is the bigger story. The Bengals don't need every pass rusher to be a superstar. They need enough players capable of winning their individual matchups that opposing offenses can't simply focus on one or two players. That's what Cincinnati appears to have built. The Bengals' defense also showed that it doesn't need turnovers to survive. Houston couldn't run the football, converted only two of 13 third downs and stayed out of the end zone for the entire game. Now Cincinnati gets to continue developing this defensive line with B.J. Hill working his way back from injury and Shamar Stewart gradually increasing his role. Could this defensive line become the foundation of the Bengals' 2026 season? Is Cashius Howell already proving to be one of Cincinnati's biggest draft hits? And just how good can this pass rush become if everyone continues developing? John Sheeran breaks down why the Bengals' defensive line is much deeper — and potentially much more dangerous — than most people realize. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, analysis, game reactions, player breakdowns and everything you need throughout the 2026 NFL season. #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL 0:00 The Bengals' defensive line just changed everything 0:37 Cincinnati's stars showed up against Houston 1:13 The pass rush suddenly came ALIVE 1:58 Five Bengals had 5+ pressures 2:25 41 pressures is absolutely insane 2:59 The numbers behind Cincinnati's pass rush 3:16 Cashius Howell is becoming a HUGE piece 4:12 Howell's pass-rush moves are impressive 4:57 Cedric Johnson shocked everyone 5:49 Cedric Johnson's incredible pressure numbers 6:26 Shamar Stewart adds another weapon 6:48 Dexter Lawrence is making everyone around him better 7:29 The Bengals' second defensive line is dangerous 8:11 This was the plan all along 8:32 The Bengals can attack quarterbacks in WAVES 8:59 Dexter Lawrence is only part of the story Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

Joe Burrow is dealing with back tightness entering the Cincinnati Bengals' Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans. John Sheeran breaks down the latest on Burrow's injury, what it means for the Bengals heading into Sunday and why Cincinnati appears to be handling the situation cautiously. Burrow was limited during the Bengals' first practice of the week and did not participate fully in the team's stretching period. He was taking what he described as "mental reps" and wasn't throwing with his normal level of force. The good news for Bengals fans is that Burrow has said he expects to play against Houston barring a major or unexpected development. So how concerned should Cincinnati be? John explains why the Bengals may actually be doing the right thing by limiting Burrow's workload early in the week rather than pushing him through every practice. The Bengals have dealt with injuries to Burrow before, including his 2023 calf injury, and John believes Cincinnati has learned from that experience. But there is another important question surrounding Burrow's health: how can the Bengals protect him during the game? Cincinnati frequently uses Joe Burrow on quarterback sneaks in short-yardage situations. If his back tightness is connected in any way to taking contact on those plays, John believes the Bengals could consider using backup quarterback Joe Flacco for some of those situations. Flacco is one of the biggest reasons the Bengals have more insurance behind Burrow than they have had in recent years. Cincinnati gave Flacco a significant contract to serve as its backup quarterback, and John explains why this situation demonstrates exactly why the Bengals made that investment. John also discusses another major offensive adjustment for Week 2: getting Ja'Marr Chase involved earlier and more often. Chase finished the Bengals' Week 1 win over Tampa Bay with only two receptions for 12 yards, and John believes Cincinnati cannot afford to have its No. 1 receiver remain that uninvolved for multiple games. Houston could use a similar defensive approach to Tampa Bay, particularly with All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. expected to spend significant time matched up against Chase. The Bengals need to find creative ways to get Chase the football while still taking advantage of the opportunities that his defensive attention creates for the rest of the offense. Will Joe Burrow play Sunday? How serious is his back tightness? Should the Bengals use Joe Flacco in short-yardage situations? And can Cincinnati get Ja'Marr Chase more involved against Houston? John Sheeran breaks down the latest Joe Burrow injury news and what it means for the Bengals heading into Week 2. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, injury updates, game previews, postgame reactions, player analysis and everything you need throughout the 2026 NFL season. #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #JoeBurrow #WhoDey #NFL 0:00 Joe Burrow is dealing with back tightness 0:20 What happened at Bengals practice? 0:54 Burrow expects to play Sunday 1:14 Why the Bengals are managing Burrow carefully 2:15 When did Burrow's injury happen? 3:14 Burrow says he didn't feel it until after the game 3:44 The Bengals MUST protect Burrow 3:53 Cincinnati needs to get Ja'Marr Chase going 4:52 Chase needs to be more involved 5:21 Could Joe Flacco help protect Burrow? 6:34 Should Flacco take quarterback sneaks? 7:34 Burrow is expected to play 7:57 Why Joe Flacco's signing matters 8:51 How serious is Burrow's injury? 9:13 The Bengals are handling this correctly 9:18 Final thoughts Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals are heading into Week 2 with a major opportunity. After studying the Houston Texans' Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills, John Sheeran believes Cincinnati has identified a major weakness that the Bengals offense can attack. The Texans have one of the NFL's most talented defensive fronts, led by elite edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, along with standout players like Derrick Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre. But there is one area where Houston is vulnerable. The middle of the defense. The Texans are dealing with major injuries at linebacker, including Henry To'oTo'o missing this matchup and additional uncertainty at the position. That could create opportunities for the Bengals' new-look rushing attack. John breaks down why Chase Brown and Cincinnati's commitment to under-center runs, 12 personnel and inside rushing concepts could be the perfect formula to attack Houston. The Bengals found success running directly behind the center against Tampa Bay in Week 1, and John explains why that could continue against a Texans defense that struggled defending those same areas against Buffalo. Cincinnati's offensive line will play a major role. If Ted Karras, Dylan Fairchild and Dalton Risner can create movement against Houston's defensive tackles, Chase Brown could have opportunities to get into space and attack the Texans linebackers. But the matchup is not just about the run game. If Houston continues prioritizing stopping Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the outside, that could create opportunities over the middle of the field. John explains why Mike Gesicki could once again be an important weapon for Joe Burrow, especially against a Texans linebacker group that has struggled with injuries and depth. The Bengals also need to find creative ways to get Ja'Marr Chase involved. After a quiet Week 1 statistically, Cincinnati will look for more opportunities to move Chase around the formation, including using him in the slot and attacking the middle of the field. Can the Bengals exploit Houston's biggest weakness? Will Chase Brown have a breakout performance? Can Cincinnati's offensive line win the battle in the trenches? And can the Bengals improve to 2-0? John Sheeran breaks down the biggest matchup advantage the Bengals have heading into their Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, game previews, postgame reactions, player analysis and everything you need throughout the 2026 NFL season. #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL 0:00 Bengals vs Texans Week 2 preview 0:53 Houston's surprising Week 1 loss 1:56 The Texans' biggest defensive weakness 3:01 Why Chase Brown could have a big game 4:06 The numbers behind Cincinnati's run advantage 5:11 How the Bengals can attack Houston's linebackers 5:39 Mike Gesicki could be a problem again 6:23 Getting Ja'Marr Chase more involved 7:01 Don't overreact to Week 1 7:44 The biggest Bengals advantage in Week 2 8:17 Final thoughts and predictions Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals are 1-0, but two of their biggest stars didn't exactly light up the box score. Ja'Marr Chase finished Week 1 with just two catches for 12 yards, while Dexter Lawrence failed to record a sack or tackle for loss in his Bengals debut. So should Bengals fans be worried? John Sheeran explains why the answer is no. The box score doesn't tell the full story. Ja'Marr Chase may not have put up his usual elite numbers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but his impact was still felt throughout the game. John breaks down why Chase's presence alone forced Tampa Bay to account for him defensively, creating opportunities for other Bengals receivers like Mike Gesicki. The Buccaneers consistently adjusted their coverage around Chase, and that attention helped open up the rest of Cincinnati's passing attack. There were also multiple moments where Chase was still winning his matchups. John explains why Chase was still getting open, how Cincinnati designed plays to get him involved and why Bengals fans should not overreact to one quiet statistical performance. The second half of the breakdown focuses on Dexter Lawrence. The numbers don't jump off the page. No sacks. No tackles for loss. One solo tackle. But the tape tells a completely different story. John breaks down how Lawrence consistently disrupted Tampa Bay's interior offensive line, generated pressure on Baker Mayfield and helped create opportunities for players around him. Lawrence's impact helped free up teammates like Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe and Myles Murphy, allowing the Bengals defensive line to make game-changing plays. This is the type of performance where a star player impacts the game without dominating the stat sheet. John also explains why this should actually encourage Bengals fans moving forward. The Bengals don't need Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Dexter Lawrence to have perfect games every week in order to win. They now have enough talent around their stars to survive when their best players have quieter performances. Are Ja'Marr Chase's Week 1 numbers a concern? Was Dexter Lawrence actually dominant against Tampa Bay? And why should Bengals fans feel encouraged after Cincinnati's season opener? John Sheeran breaks down the film and explains why Bengals fans should not panic after Week 1. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, game analysis, player breakdowns, injury updates and everything you need throughout the 2026 NFL season. #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL 0:00 Ja'Marr Chase and Dexter Lawrence did NOT play badly 1:06 Why the box score is misleading 1:55 Ja'Marr Chase only had 2 catches... should Bengals fans worry? 2:47 The plays that show Chase was still winning 4:07 How Chase helped other Bengals receivers 5:15 Dexter Lawrence's quiet box score 7:03 Why Dexter Lawrence actually dominated 8:29 How Lawrence helped the entire Bengals defense 9:22 The Bengals don't need perfect games from their stars 10:14 Final thoughts before Week 2 Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals offensive line just answered one of the biggest questions surrounding this team. After years of criticism and concerns about Joe Burrow's protection, Cincinnati's offensive line delivered one of its most impressive performances in recent memory during the Bengals' Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. John Sheeran breaks down why the Bengals offensive line may finally be a strength — and why that could completely change Cincinnati's ceiling in 2026. The biggest reason this performance was so impressive? The Buccaneers had a legitimate defensive front. Tampa Bay entered the matchup with a talented group featuring promising rookie Rueben Bain, explosive edge rusher Yaya Diaby and one of the NFL's most talented interior pass rushers in Calijah Kancey. But Cincinnati's offensive line handled the challenge. According to Pro Football Focus, the Bengals allowed only seven pressures on 37 Joe Burrow dropbacks and gave up just one sack. The biggest standout was Amarius Mims. Mims faced first-round rookie Rueben Bain in his NFL debut and completely shut down the highly touted pass rusher. John breaks down why Mims' footwork, patience and technique were the biggest reasons he dominated the matchup. But it wasn't just Mims. Ted Karras and Dalton Risner delivered strong performances inside, while Orlando Brown Jr. also showed why Cincinnati believed he could still be an important piece of this offensive line. The most impressive part of the performance came in the second half. After Tampa Bay struggled to generate consistent pressure early, Todd Bowles turned up the aggression and blitzed on a huge percentage of passing plays. The Bengals responded. Even when Tampa Bay sent extra rushers, Cincinnati's offensive line consistently gave Joe Burrow time to operate. And that could be the biggest development for the Bengals moving forward. For most of Joe Burrow's career, Cincinnati has needed him to overcome offensive-line issues. The Bengals have relied on Burrow's ability to make impossible throws under pressure. But this game showed a different formula. The Bengals can win games because their offensive line makes life easier for Burrow. That could allow Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals offense to reach another level. Is the Bengals offensive line finally fixed? Did Amarius Mims prove he can be a franchise tackle? And what does this mean for Cincinnati's chances in 2026? John Sheeran breaks down why the Bengals offensive line just made a massive statement. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, game reactions, roster analysis, injury updates and everything you need throughout the 2026 NFL season. #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL 0:00 Bengals offensive line just proved everyone wrong 0:42 Tampa Bay's defensive front was a HUGE test 1:19 The Bengals OL dominated by the numbers 2:27 Joe Burrow was finally kept clean 2:37 Amarius Mims DESTROYED Reuben Bain 3:17 The rest of the Bengals offensive line steps up 4:03 Tampa blitzed 64% — and Cincinnati handled it 4:58 The Bengals won because the OL carried them 5:34 Joe Burrow still has room to improve 6:07 The Bengals don't need Burrow to be Superman 7:22 This changes the Bengals' ceiling 7:50 The Bengals finally have a new offensive line Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals are finally entering Week 1, and after months of offseason moves, training camp practices and preseason games, we are finally going to get a chance to see what this team actually looks like when the games count. John Sheeran breaks down the three biggest things he will be watching for when the Bengals take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The first is Joe Burrow and the Bengals' offensive approach. Cincinnati has spent the offseason trying to diversify its offense, and John wants to see how often Burrow operates under center against Tampa Bay. The Bengals have traditionally relied heavily on shotgun formations, but there are reasons to believe they could lean more on an under-center run game this season. That could mean more opportunities for Chase Brown and the Bengals' rushing attack, while also creating play-action opportunities and forcing Tampa Bay's defense to respect the run. More importantly, establishing a legitimate run threat could help Cincinnati protect Burrow. The Bengals have frequently left Burrow in shotgun and relied on him to get the football out quickly, but forcing the defense to account for the run could slow down the pass rush and give the offensive line some additional help. The second major storyline is Dexter Lawrence. The Bengals spent the offseason completely reshaping their defensive line, and Lawrence was one of the biggest additions. He was arguably the MVP of Cincinnati's training camp, consistently creating problems for the offensive line and even earning praise from Ted Karras for the intensity he brought to practice. Now it's time to see that production in a real game. Tampa Bay has an elite left tackle in Tristan Wirfs, but John believes the Buccaneers' interior offensive line is a potential weakness. Graham Barton, Ben Bredeson and Cody Mauch are all capable players individually, but Cincinnati has an opportunity to attack that group with Lawrence and B.J. Hill. John believes Lawrence needs to make an immediate impact in his Bengals debut. The third thing to watch may ultimately be the most important: Can Cincinnati close the game? The Bengals have spent much of training camp focusing on situational offense and learning how to finish games. That means protecting leads, controlling the clock and making the right decisions when the game reaches its most important moments. That pressure won't fall entirely on Joe Burrow. John also puts the spotlight on Zac Taylor and his decision-making in high-leverage situations. The Bengals have had their share of struggles closing games in recent seasons, and Week 1 could provide an immediate test. The Bengals don't need to be perfect Sunday. But they do need to show that the changes they made this offseason are starting to translate onto the field. Can Cincinnati establish the run? Can Joe Burrow operate from under center more effectively? Can Dexter Lawrence dominate Tampa Bay's interior offensive line? And when the game reaches the fourth quarter, can the Bengals make the plays necessary to win? John Sheeran breaks down the three things he's watching most closely in the Bengals' Week 1 matchup against the Buccaneers. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, game previews, postgame reactions, injury updates, roster analysis and everything you need throughout the 2026 NFL season. #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL 0:00 Bengals Week 1 is finally here 1:34 The 3 things John is watching 2:17 #1 How often does Burrow go under center? 4:35 #2 Dexter Lawrence MUST make an impact 5:58 Can the Bengals make Tampa one-dimensional? 6:26 #3 Can Cincinnati close the game? 7:02 The pressure on Zac Taylor 7:47 Final Bengals-Bucs prediction 8:11 Week 1 is finally here Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals are finally ready to play meaningful football, and Week 1 brings a fascinating matchup against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. John Sheeran is joined by A to Z Sports Tampa Bay's Evan Winter to break down everything Bengals fans need to know before Sunday's season opener. The Buccaneers enter the season with several major storylines of their own. Baker Mayfield just received a massive contract extension, locking him into Tampa Bay for the next several years. Evan explains how the deal came together, why the structure gives the Buccaneers flexibility and why he believes the new contract could actually motivate Mayfield even more heading into the 2026 season. Tampa Bay also has a new offensive coordinator in Zac Robinson. Evan explains what Bengals fans should expect from Robinson's offense, including his approach to the running game and how the Buccaneers could look different after moving away from some of the concepts they used under Liam Coen. That creates one of the biggest questions heading into Week 1: can Tampa Bay's rushing attack find success against a completely revamped Bengals defensive line? Cincinnati has added significant talent and depth up front, and John and Evan break down how that matchup could determine the game. The Buccaneers also have one of the most intriguing rookies in the NFL in defensive lineman Rueben Bain. Bain was selected in the first round after the Bengals traded away their first-round pick, and Evan explains why Tampa Bay believes Bain could immediately become a major factor. He also breaks down how Bain could match up with Amarius Mims and Orlando Brown Jr. in his NFL debut. On the other side of the ball, the Bengals' passing game could create major problems for Tampa Bay. Evan has serious concerns about the Buccaneers secondary going up against Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. If Cincinnati can consistently get the ball to its two star receivers — especially downfield and after the catch — Tampa Bay may be forced to adjust its defensive approach. That could open up even more opportunities for Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense. John and Evan also identify the Buccaneers players Bengals fans need to know, including safety Tykee Smith, who Evan believes could be a major factor because of his ability to create turnovers and play all over the formation. Then comes the biggest question of all: Who wins? Evan believes the Bengals have the edge. He expects Cincinnati to cover the four-point spread and predicts a close Bengals victory at home, with the Bengals potentially winning by four or five points. Can Cincinnati get off to a fast start? Will Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins dominate Tampa Bay's secondary? Can the Bengals' new defensive line shut down the Buccaneers' rushing attack? And will Baker Mayfield return to Cincinnati and spoil the Bengals' Week 1 celebration? John Sheeran and Evan Winter break down the entire Bengals vs. Buccaneers matchup ahead of Week 1. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, game previews, postgame reactions, injury updates, roster analysis and everything you need throughout the 2026 NFL season. #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL 0:00 Bengals vs. Bucs Week 1 preview 1:14 Meet Evan Winter 1:57 Baker Mayfield gets PAID 5:19 Why Tampa hired Zach Robinson 7:47 The Bucs' biggest offensive question 9:05 Bengals vs. Tampa's rushing attack 9:53 Rueben Bain's NFL debut 12:28 The biggest matchup of the game 13:13 The Bucs player Bengals fans need to know 14:41 Evan's prediction for Bengals-Bucs 19:35 Final thoughts and Week 1 Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

HOW TO ENTER: 1. Visit and make sure A to Z Sports is checked 2. Comment GO BENGALS below! If selected, you must be able to verify that A to Z Sports was selected as a preferred source. A to Z Sports Giveaway Terms & Conditions: The 2026 Cincinnati Bengals are finally here, and John Sheeran has three bold predictions for what this team could accomplish during the regular season. Some of these predictions may sound aggressive at first. But John explains why each one has a legitimate path to happening. The first prediction may be the boldest of all: Joe Burrow will be sacked fewer times in a full season than ever before. Burrow has been one of the NFL's most productive quarterbacks when healthy, but sacks have been a consistent problem throughout his career. He was sacked at least 41 times in each of his three full seasons, including an NFL-high 51 sacks in 2021. John believes that could change in 2026. The Bengals' offensive line has more continuity than it has had in years, with Orlando Brown Jr., Dylan Fairchild, Ted Karras, Dalton Risner and Amarius Mims all starting the final seven games of last season. During the final six games with Joe Burrow at quarterback, Cincinnati allowed just 12 sacks. That's an average of two sacks per game. If Burrow can maintain something close to that rate over a full 17-game season, John believes a total around 34 or 35 sacks is realistic — which would be the lowest sack total of Burrow's career in a full season. The second prediction involves one of the Bengals' most intriguing young offensive players: Erick All. John predicts that All will lead Cincinnati's tight ends in receiving touchdowns in 2026. That may sound surprising considering the Bengals also have Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample, but All brings a unique skill set to the offense. He can block inline, line up attached to the formation, play in the slot or split out wide as a receiver. The biggest question is health. All has struggled to stay on the field throughout his career, but if he can play consistently throughout the season, John believes the Bengals will find ways to get him involved — especially in the red zone. The third prediction may be the boldest defensive prediction. John believes the Bengals will record at least 45 sacks in 2026, which would be the most sacks the team has recorded in a season this decade. The key is not one dominant pass rusher. The Bengals no longer have Trey Hendrickson leading the way with double-digit sack totals, but they have an incredible amount of defensive-line depth. Dexter Lawrence can create consistent pressure from the interior. Myles Murphy has a chance to lead the team in sacks. BJ Ojulari, Boye Mafe, C.J. Mosley, Johnson, B.J. Hill and the rest of Cincinnati's defensive line should all have opportunities to make plays. John's prediction is that Cincinnati can reach 45 or more sacks without a single player recording 10 sacks. If that happens, it would be a sign of just how difficult this defensive line could be for opposing offensive lines to handle. So which prediction is most likely to hit? Will Joe Burrow finally have his best-protected season? Will Erick All emerge as Cincinnati's top touchdown-producing tight end? Or will the Bengals' defensive line overwhelm opposing quarterbacks all season long? John Sheeran breaks down all three bold predictions for the 2026 Cincinnati Bengals. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, game previews, postgame reactions, injury updates and analysis throughout the entire 2026 season. #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL 0:00 3 bold Bengals predictions 1:55 Prediction #1: Burrow gets sacked less 5:37 Prediction #2: Erick All leads TEs in TDs 7:50 Prediction #3: Bengals get 45+ sacks 10:05 Why the defensive line could dominate 10:20 Week 1 is almost here Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

HOW TO ENTER: 1. Visit and make sure A to Z Sports is checked 2. Comment GO BENGALS below! If selected, you must be able to verify that A to Z Sports was selected as a preferred source. A to Z Sports Giveaway Terms & Conditions: The Cincinnati Bengals are officially entering Week 1, and the team has some major updates to share heading into Sunday's matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. John Sheeran breaks down Cincinnati's new captains, the latest injury developments and several important storylines heading into the Bengals' first regular-season game of 2026. The Bengals named seven team captains for the upcoming season: Ted Karras, Evan McPherson, Dexter Lawrence, Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, D.J. Turner and Brian Cook. Several of those selections were expected, but D.J. Turner becoming a captain for the first time is particularly notable. Turner has gone from a player who spent his first three seasons fighting for opportunities to one of the Bengals' most important defensive players. After becoming a full-time starter last season and establishing himself as one of the NFL's top young cornerbacks, Turner has carried that momentum into 2026. John explains why Turner's captaincy is another sign of the respect he has earned inside the Bengals locker room especially considering he has continued to show up and perform despite uncertainty surrounding his contract extension. Cincinnati also has a new defensive leader in Brian Cook. The hometown safety has championship experience from his time with the Kansas City Chiefs and quickly established himself as a vocal leader in the Bengals' secondary. John also explains why Dexter Lawrence has been such an important presence since joining Cincinnati, including how his daily competition with Joe Burrow has helped raise the intensity of the Bengals' practices. But the biggest news may be coming from the injury front. Shemar Stewart returned to practice and, more importantly, practiced without the large knee brace he had been wearing after hyperextending his knee earlier in training camp. That development gives Stewart a legitimate chance to be active for Week 1 against Tampa Bay. John explains why he still doesn't expect Cincinnati to immediately throw Stewart into a huge workload after such a long absence, but why simply seeing him practice without the brace is a major positive development. The Bengals also received positive news on Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Both receivers were normal participants in practice Monday, and John expects both to be available for the season opener. Chase is coming off a knee hyperextension while Higgins dealt with a heel contusion, but both players received extended rest following the preseason and are now ramping back up for game week. John explains why Bengals fans and fantasy football managers should not be overly concerned about either receiver heading into Sunday. Another important development involves second-year middle linebacker Baker Carter. Cincinnati has confirmed that Carter will wear the green-dot helmet and handle the defensive communication responsibilities, putting him directly in charge of getting the defense lined up before each play. The Bengals have brought significant veteran and championship experience into their defense this offseason, but Carter will still be asked to take command in the middle of it. Week 1 is finally here. How healthy will the Bengals be against Tampa Bay? Will Shemar Stewart make his regular-season debut? Can Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins return to full strength? And what does D.J. Turner's new captaincy say about his growing role in Cincinnati? John Sheeran breaks down all the latest Bengals news before Week 1. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, injury updates, roster news, analysis and everything you need heading into the 2026 NFL season. #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL 0:00 Bengals are finally entering Week 1 0:45 Bengals announce seven captains 2:00 Why Brian Cook and Dexter Lawrence matter 4:05 D.J. Turner becomes a captain 5:30 Baker Carter gets the green dot 6:50 Shemar Stewart's HUGE injury update 8:25 Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins return 9:15 Bengals Week 1 is finally here Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball