By Derek Fleming
There’s nothing special about the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense; they have no big names that the average fan will recognize. Last season, they ranked middle of the pack in yards allowed per game, points allowed per game, and fantasy points among all defenses.
Yet, come playoff time, they allowed an average of 20.5 points per game, which would have ranked fifth-best during the regular season. Not to mention, they held superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes to just three points in the second half of the AFC Championship game.
The Bengals’ defense found ways to win when on paper, it seemed like they were completely outclassed.
Outside of pro bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson and safety Jessie Bates III, the talent isn’t there, so Bates having a bounce-back season is critical for the Bengals to return to the playoffs.
Is Jessie Bates a top safety?
Even in a down season, Bates still was one of the better safeties in the league, but his play was nothing compared to his first three seasons in the league.
In each of his first three seasons, Bates recorded three interceptions. Furthermore, in all three seasons, he finished top 10 among all safeties in tackles, and in 2020 led all safeties in passes defended with 15.
At the top of his game, Bates is one of the best all-around safeties in the league. He earned second-team all pro honor in 2020 for a reason.
Even on a poor Bengals defense that ranked bottom ten in most stats, Bates got recognized for his outstanding play, which wasn’t as noticeable this past season.
While it was his worst season yet, by most safeties standards, it would have ranked among one of their best. His performance was still enough for the Bengals to place the franchise tag on him.
Next season, Bates will be earning $12.9 million, making him the 10th highest paid at his position.
With safety Minkah Fitzpatrick just recently signing a four-year deal, making him the highest-paid safety of at time at $73.6 million, if Bates bounces back next season, his salary figures may land somewhere in
that ballpark.
Can Bates and company stop the AFC North?
Unfortunately for the Bengals, the AFC North is one of the toughest divisions in the league, thanks to the quarterback talent within it.
Four dates with quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson won’t be fun for the defense, and if Bates can’t regain his all pro form, the defense may be in trouble.
Bates is used to facing Jackson, but when it came to facing Cleveland, everyone knew to stop the run-game because Baker Mayfield isn’t going to beat you. With Watson replacing Mayfield, life isn’t going to be easy for Bates and the Bengals.
Long story short, the Bengals need their star safety to play like a star, and if not, they’ll be fighting with the Pittsburgh Steelers for last in the division this season.