La'el Collins Sam Greene-The Enquirer

Why Bengals' Week 16 woes are worrisome

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 12/26/22

The Bengals secured their seventh straight win vs. the Patriots. However, are Cincinnati's second-half struggles worrisome with just two weeks left in the regular season?

NFL Network's Peter Schrager says he didn't recognize the Bengals team he watched in Week 16.

"They're a different team than they were last year down the stretch. They're not playing the same way," Schrager said on "Good Morning Football."

"This is a call to arms, @AndrewWhitworth. Your buddy @Weddlesbeard did it. Finish the Amazon job with this Titans-Cowboys game on Thursday, sign a contract with Cincinnati, and be ready to win another chip- this time with the @Bengals- in February. Whatta ya say?"

-@PSchrags pic.twitter.com/eoahDhs87m
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) December 26, 2022

Cincinnati led 22-0 at halftime, but New England was able to storm back 22-18 as QB Joe Burrow threw two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and WR Ja'Marr Chase fumbled late.

When it rains, it pours. Tackle La'el Collins was lost for season with torn ACL and MCL as well.

After passing the initial ACL on field exam yesterday, #Bengals starting RT La'el Collins underwent an MRI today and it revealed he tore his ACL and MCL.

His season is over, recovery is expected to be 7 months, a source tells me. @Enquirer
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) December 25, 2022

"La'el Collins goes down with an injury. That's their starting tackle. He's been awesome this year," Schrager added. "Now I'm concerned. Is this going to be the Week 1 and Week 2 Bengals again?"

Burrow was sacked 13 times and threw four interceptions in Cincinnati's first two games and losses this season when the team's offensive line was still finding its cohesion.

If there's any positive takeaway, the Bengals defense stepped up once again, preventing a full Patriots comeback but the state of Cincinnati has many worried with the Bills (12-3) and Ravens (10-5) up next to close out the season.

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