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By Jeff
Zrebiec and Jay Morrison Sep 17, 2021
Each
week during the season, and at other points from February to August, our AFC
North beat writers discuss their teams and provide a look at some of the key
storylines making an impact on the division.
Week 1 always spurs the biggest overreactions. What was the
biggest one concerning the team you cover — either positive or negative — that
came out of the opener?
Jay Morrison (Bengals): I almost forgot what the view looks like from up here.
Anyway, the biggest overreaction in Cincinnati is that the offensive line is
going to send Joe Burrow to
the hospital again. Yes, the Bengals gave up five sacks and another two
quarterback hits, one of which was right under Burrow’s chin, but head coach
Zac Taylor pinned only two of the five on the line, citing poor eyes and missed
assignments from the backs and tight ends as the cause of the others.
Center Trey Hopkins had
his toughest day as a pro, but he suffered a torn ACL in the season finale last
season and was on a load management plan all of camp. The rust is off, and he
should look more like himself each week. It’s also worth noting that tackles Jonah Williams and Riley Reiff didn’t give up a single pressure
on 31 dropbacks Sunday, and Reiff finished with a pass rush win rate of 100
percent.
(Top photo of Chase Claypool: Mark Konezny
/ USA Today)
