Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton expressed his perspective on Joe Burrow’s injury, acknowledging that winning the division might be a challenging goal given their current standing, but he remains optimistic about their chances to make it to the playoffs. The loss in Baltimore on Thursday, coupled with concerns about Burrow’s sprained wrist, cast a shadow over Cincinnati’s prospects.
The Bengals, with a 5-5 record and ranked 10th in the AFC, face a tough road ahead, especially having lost all three division games this season, twice to the Ravens. The upcoming schedule includes formidable opponents like Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Minnesota, Pittsburgh again, Kansas City, and Cleveland.
Even with a healthy Burrow, overcoming the setbacks from earlier in the season would be a daunting task. Mike Hilton emphasized the significance of Burrow’s absence, acknowledging the challenge but emphasizing the “next man up” mentality.
Hilton believes that, despite the division possibly being out of reach, the playoffs remain a viable goal, and he sees the team as a formidable force if they make it to the postseason.
The article points out that the Bengals’ ability to contend will depend largely on the severity of Burrow’s wrist injury. While backup Jake Browning showed promise in the Thursday night game, relying on a quarterback with limited experience for the rest of the season poses a risky proposition.
Looking ahead, the Bengals had positioned themselves for a deep playoff run, but back-to-back losses and Burrow’s injury have put their postseason hopes in jeopardy. The 2024 offseason will bring crucial decisions about key players like Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.
Despite the challenges, head coach Zac Taylor remains optimistic, emphasizing a week-by-week approach and the need for every player on the roster to contribute. Taylor believes that the team can regroup and control its destiny in the remaining seven weeks, starting with a pivotal home game against Pittsburgh.
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