What’s wrong with the Cincinnati Bengals?
Certainly, the loss of quarterback Joe Burrow to a season-ending wrist injury hurt. And the loss of run-stopping nose tackle DJ Reader to a torn quadriceps tendon only made matters worse.
But it’s more than that. The Bengals’ woes can be summed up in one word: Physicality. Or lack thereof.
“Physicality and turnovers,” said slot cornerback Mike Hilton. “You do those two things, you can definitely win this division.”
Cincinnati has done one of those two things. Coming into Saturday’s contest with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bengals stood second in the league in forcing turnovers with 23: 15 interceptions and 8 fumble recoveries.