Sunday | 1:00 ET
Coming off of a bye week, the Seattle comes into this matchup on a three game winning streak. The Seahawk offense has been cooking this year. It ranks 7th in overall offensive PFF grade, and it has produced 37 points in half of its games thus far. Cincinnati’s offense has been a different story. Joe Burrow’s preseason calf injury has clearly been affecting him through the first five weeks of the season, and the Bengals have been underperforming as a result. However, Burrow turned in his best performance- by far- last week in the offense’s first explosion game. How will the Bengals’ offense look on Sunday against a better Seahawks defense?
Joe Burrow looked much more like himself in Week 4 against the Cardinals, throwing for 317 yards and three touchdowns. More notably, he had a 10 yard run. His calf is clearly feeling better and is allowing him to play more comfortably. Still, the Cardinals defense has not been good in 2023. Seattle, on the other hand, is ranked 11th in defensive PFF grade (although they have given up a decent number of points).
Last time Seattle played, rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon was flying around the field, recording two sacks and a 99 yard pick six out of the nickel position. It will be interesting to see whether or not Pete Carroll moves him back into the boundary this week, as he was only there due to injury last time out. WR Tyler Boyd has easily seen the most snaps out of the slot for the Bengals, but he is the team’s third best receiver. Carroll and the Seahawks might rather have Witherspoon lined up with Chase or Higgins on the outside.
The Bengals will try to repeat last week, as Ja’marr Chase put up an insane 15 catch, 192 yard, 3 touchdown performance. The Panthers, Lions, and Rams were all able to put up 27+ points against the Seahawks this season, and each of them did it through the air. Each of these quarterbacks threw for at least 300 yards, two of them throwing for three touchdowns as well. We will likely see a lot more Ja’marr Chase as Joe Burrow should throw a lot of passes. I think that the Cincinnati offense will continue its hot streak and go shot for shot with the Seahawks.
QB Geno Smith and Seattle’s offense will face off against a talented Bengals defensive unit. It is tied for 5th in interceptions, and tied for 8th in sacks. However, it has also given up the 11th most points in the league. Seattle’s offense has been efficient this season, especially on the ground. RB Kenneth Walker has scored five touchdowns in his last three games. The Bengals have been susceptible to the run this year, so I expect Walker to get a big workload. Geno has only thrown one interception this year, so grabbing a pick or two would be huge for the Cincinnati defense.
This is a really tough game to forecast. I’m going to buy into the idea that the Bengals are back and I see them putting up another impressive offensive performance. I also think that the Seahawks are a strong team, and will also be able to put up points. This could be a shootout. If both offenses are on, I have the Bengals with a slight edge.