History has a way of repeating itself.

The Cincinnati Bengals are 5-4 at the bye week. They were 5-4 at the bye week last season. So then, will they make a late run in the second-half of this season, just like the team that won five of seven games to clinch the AFC North before making a deeper postseason run to the Super Bowl.

This year could pose a tougher challenge though. Cincinnati has the strongest strength of schedule among all teams in the NFL for the final nine weeks of the season. They'll have to go through the top teams in the AFC, including Kansas City, Buffalo and Tennessee among others at home and on the road.

On top of all of that, they'll have to navigate those teams with a hobbled secondary and a Ja'Marr Chase-less offense for the first few weeks coming out of the bye and beyond.

Despite the adversity and roadblocks ahead, will the defending AFC champions shock teams and repeat as back-to-back division champs?

The Strictly Stripes crew gives its takes and explains the Bengals' outlook for the second-half of the season:

Plus, the crew explains which players might be primed for a breakout second-half of the season, along with some interesting Flashback Friday discussions.

This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.

Music: Starfields by Hallman

Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/

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After a fairly strong start to the 2022 season, the Bengals defense has fared well through nine games.

Despite losing defensive tackle D.J. Reader for most of the first half of the year, Cincinnati's pass rush and run defense has mostly seen success, including containing Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in Week 5. Big name players like Logan Wilson, Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson are also building off their respective successes from last season.

However, there have also been challenges, including a hobbled secondary that has a long homestretch for the rest of the year. Several players have underperformed throughout the first half with a chance to turn the page against Pittsburgh in Week 11.

The Strictly Stripes crew hands out its midseason awards to the Bengals defense, including best play, worst play, underperformer, biggest surprise all topped off with an MVP. Later in the show, they also debated who brings the most "fun" amongst the Bengals' defense.

This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.

Music: Starfields by Hallman

Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/

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We have officially hit the halfway mark through the 2022 NFL season!

The 5-4 Cincinnati Bengals are currently enjoying the bye week after a roller coaster first-half start to the year. Offensively, the Bengals have finally begun to find their strides. However, that's come with some with bumps and bruises, including the season opener against Pittsburgh and a Monday night road loss to Cleveland.

With those strides have come some intriguing surprises and moments in different position groups, including plays, stat lines and memorable moments and players.

The Strictly Stripes crew gives out it's midseason awards for the Bengals' offense up to this point, including MVP, best/worst play, underachiever, biggest surprise and more intriguing honors and recognitions.

This episode features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.

Music: Starfields by Hallman

Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/

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The Cincinnati Bengals are resting up for the final homestretch of the 2022 season.

Now entering the bye week exactly halfway through the season, the 5-4 Bengals will to get healthy and rested. They'll need that as they face one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league this season.

With optimism over the return of nose tackle D.J. Reader and cornerback Mike Hilton, Cincinnati will look to take advantage of that. However, there could also be a rare change coming at one special teams position as well.

The Strictly Stripes Crew breaks down why the bye week couldn't have come at a better time.

This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.

Music: Starfields by Hallman

Music link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/

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The Cincinnati Bengals put Monday's loss to Cleveland behind them.

Cincinnati gets a blowout 42-21 win that saw the Bengals open the game with 35 unanswered points. From the very first play of the game until the final horn, there wasn't much, if anything that Carolina could do to comeback against the Bengals.

Joe Mixon had a career day with over 200 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns.

Defensively, there wasn't much the Bengals had to worry about against quarterback P.J. Walker. But, they stepped up when needed and came up with two critical interceptions in the first half.

Joe Burrow found his rhythm under center so well that he left the game early in the second half with Cincinnati in the driver's seat.

The Strictly Stripes crew breaks down everything that went right for the Bengals in the commanding win. Plus, they discusses what this means ahead of a much-needed bye week, along with some personal game balls.

This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.

Music: Starfields by Hallman

Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/

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The Cincinnati Bengals' secondary will have some more revamping to do ahead of Sunday's matchup with Carolina.

Now without cornerback Mike Hilton, who will be out with a finger injury, Cincinnati could also be without Tre Flowers, who's questionable with a hamstring injury as well. That means Jalen Davis will start for Hilton, and rookie safety Dax Hill could get more looks in sub-packages.

Relying on that depth could be a tall task for a Bengals team hoping to enter the bye week at 5-4 just like last season. How different does that make things look for Cincinnati this weekend and beyond?

The Strictly Stripes crew assess the Bengals' contingency plans for this weekend along with game predictions, prop bets and more previews.

This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.

Music: Starfield by Hallman

Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/

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The Cincinnati Bengals' offense will look to find itself once again this Sunday.

Coming off its worst loss of the season on Monday, quarterback Joe Burrow attributed part of the loss to a lack of rhythm. Veteran center Ted Karras said his offensive line's performance was "unacceptable." Mix in a season-low rushing day and missed catches and opportunities for the Bengals' wideouts, there's a lot the Bengals can and should improve upon.

Sitting at 4-4, the Bengals will look to enter the bye week 5-4, just like last season. Could that spark another magical run leading to a playoff berth?

The Strictly Stripes crew explains what went wrong in Cleveland offensively and what can go right, including:

Plus, the crew breaks down the "Number of the Week," which includes a special shoutout for an important leader on the Bengals.

This podcast features Andrew Gillis and Mohammad Ahmad.

Music: Starfields by Hallman

Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/

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Life is going to look a lot more different for the Cincinnati Bengals secondary this weekend.

With top cornerback Chidobe Awuzie headed to the injury reserve soon, the Bengals defense will have to adjust to the crushing blow. Nickelback Tre Flowers' status is up in the air, which could mean Cam Taylor-Britt won't be the only rookie seeing action against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

The upset-minded Panthers and quarterback P.J. Walker will look to come to Cincinnati and exploit that, while Lou Anarumo's defense hopes to rebound and build off of Monday night's loss to Cleveland.

The Strictly Stripes crew breaks down and sorts out all the injuries and chaos:

Later in the podcast, the crew reviews the latest NFL MVP odds, and discusses whether quarterback Joe Burrow can keep himself in the running for award conversation, and for how long.

The Strictly Stripes podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.

Music: Starfields by Hallman

Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/

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The Bengals suffered another loss to the Browns, this time 32-13 on Monday Night Football as Nick Chubb rushed for two touchdowns and Myles Garrett and Cleveland’s defense frustrated Joe Burrow, who is 0-4 against Cleveland.

Garrett sacked Burrow five times and held the Bengals (4-4) to 229 total yards.

The Bengals were without top receiver Ja’Marr Chase because of a hip injury.

Burrow finished 25 of 35 for 232 yards with two TDs and one interception.

Cincinnati has a lot to work on before it plays a Sunday home game against the Carolina Panthers. Add in the fact Chidobe Awuzie and Tre Flowers each exited Monday night’s game with their respective statuses up in the air, that raises even more concerns moving forward.

In this postgame late-night edition of the Strictly Stripes podcast, Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Mike Niziolek break down what the loss means, and what impact it will have on the Bengals going forward.

Music: Starfields by Hallman

Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/

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The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns have both been bitten by the injury bug this week.

While the Bengals won't be placing Ja'Marr Chase on the injured reserve, they're without another backup receiver and could be without starting cornerback Eli Apple who's doubtful with a hamstring injury. On the flipside though, linebacker Logan Wilson and defensive end Trey Hendrickson should be in good shape to return from their respective injuries.

Conversely, the Browns find themselves in a much deeper predicament as at least six players will be out, including cornerback Denzel Ward and tight end David Njoku.

The Strictly Stripes crew analyzes how much those injuries hurt the Browns and/or Bengals, along with their final thoughts on game previews, prop bet predictions and even the best food spot in The Land.

This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.

Music: Starfields by Hallman

Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/

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