The Cincinnati Bengals have a game to prepare for on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Yet, their game this past Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers remains a big talking point in several ways.
On both a local and national basis, people collectively recoiled after Monday’s game. It was a game full of brutal hits and injuries for many people to watch. Regardless of which team if any you were rooting for. There’s a big question for the Bengals going into Sunday. Will they be able to shake off the impact of Monday night?
Many considered Monday’s game a must-win for the Bengals. Mostly because losing turns the remaining games of the season into must-win games. This is the situation the Bengals now find themselves in. A loss on Sunday against the Chicago Bears means the Bengals will finish at best 8-8. Likely missing out on the playoffs for a second year in a row.
The 3-9 Bears don’t have much to play for record wise. They will finish under .500 and aren’t going to the playoffs. The Bears can play the spoiler role on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Bengals will go into Sunday looking to move past the Steelers game. It won’t be easy considering several Bengals won’t play due to injury.
The Bengals will have to manage without six starters on Sunday. Including Dre Kirkpatrick, Vontaze Burfict and Joe Mixon among others. Those three Bengals suffered concussions on Monday night. Shawn Williams, Adam Jones and Nick Vigil wont play on Sunday either. Plus, earlier this week the Bengals found out rookie John Ross will be out for the rest of the season.
The impact of injuries is just part of the overall impact from Monday’s game. The game raised national concerns in it’s own way for the NFL as well. Given that players on both teams suffered serious injuries. Brought on by dirty hits and an intense rivalry. The injuries are ultimately leaving an impact on both teams.
The Bengals were in the national sports media spotlight throughout the week. Given how the game unfolded on national television in primetime. Their big challenge is to move beyond Monday. While learning from the mistakes made in that game. With their focus on the Bears and the remainder of the season.
The Bengals and Bears will face off at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at 1 PM Eastern time.
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