Del Duduit: Bengals trounce Cardinals — why haven’t the Bengals played like this all year? (Opinion)

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CINCINNATI — If I heard the question once, I heard it 342 times on Sunday after the Bengals knocked off Arizona 37-14 at Paycor Stadium.

That question: “Why didn’t the Bengals play like this all season long?”

The answer — according to head coach Zac Taylor — is that he expected his team to go out and win because that’s who they are.

“Really, really pleased with the way our guys responded this week,” he said. “Just building off what we thought was a good game last week, particularly in the second half. Just challenged our guys to show up and keep that momentum going. I thought defensively we shut down the run game early on — outside of that early touchdown. Proud of the way they played today. Not surprised at all.”

The Bengals played like a playoff-contending team and dominated from the beginning.

Quarterback Joe Burrow was flawless. He threw for 305 yards and completed 24 of 31 passes with two touchdowns and a passer rating of 129.1.

“We were pretty productive,” Burrow said after the win. “Pretty efficient. I thought we were — Chase Brown was great — he’s been great all year. We made plays when we had to. We stayed on schedule, and I thought it was an efficient performance.”

Brown finished the game with 101 yards rushing and on 22 carries and scored two TDs, both in the third quarter which gives him five touchdowns in the last two third quarters.

But the Bengals are not a playoff team and there is room for growth, according to Burrow.

“Individual growth is transferable,” Burrow added about what to expect next year.

“When you have young guys starting to impact the game at a high level for the first time you have to carry that through the off-season. Just because you do it one year doesn’t mean it will happen next year.”

Once again, the question emerged — why haven’t they played like this all season long?

The answer is easy. There was no pressure on Sunday to win and Cincinnati played a team that is 3-13.

But that’s not the questions everyone should be asking. And there are several.

Here are some other questions to consider and they are in no certain order.

Question one: Who are the Bengals (6-10) going to select in the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh?

THAT’S a tough one since the Cincinnati brass have fumbled the last several drafts.

The team drastically needs to fill obvious and glaring holes in the defense.

The offensive unit is set and only needs only one or two linemen to protect Joe Burrow.

On defense, they need to address to secondary and the horrible tackling. Geno Stone misses tackle after tackle each week, and nothing is done about it. No change is ever made. And the secondary gives up the big play with ease.

Two defensive backs, one solid and scary linebacker and one pass rusher will propel them back in contention and into the playoffs next year.

Forget about defensive end Trey Hendrickson. He won’t be back next year unless he’s willing to take a drastic pay cut from his ginormous $30 million contract where he played in only seven games.

The defense has been a bust the past two seasons and needs to be THE only priority in the off-season. There is a reason the defense has been ranked at the bottom of the league the past two years — it’s bad.

Let’s hope the Bengal brass knows this and makes the needed changes. After two disappointing drafts, perhaps the team should recruit the top NFL Fantasy Football League champion and solicit their input. Just a thought.

Question two: Will Taylor be back next year?

Quick answer — yes, he will.

But if he wasn’t, who would replace him? Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuola would be a good choice. He’s been with the Chiefs since 2019 and comes from a winning franchise. His last head coaching gig was from 2009-2011 when he headed up the St. Louis Rams. He knows defense — and that is what the Bengals lack.

But it won’t happen.

Question three: What about Bill Belichick as head coach?

No way. He won’t come to Cincinnati because the 74-year-old head coach at North Carolina doesn’t want his 24-year-old girlfriend around Burrow for one Who Dey minute.

Question four: Who could replace Taylor?

What about Indiana University football head coach Curt Cignetti? He has made football relevant at a basketball school. In a short time, since 2024, he’s turned the Hoosier football team into the top-ranked squad in the nation. He brings a winning culture and holds players accountable. That would be a welcomed change.

Final question: At random. When will the organization ditch the “Bengals Growl” theme song?

Not soon enough.

But sadly, the answer is never.

That theme song was written in 1968 by George “Red” Bird and was popular then.

But today, it’s a mockery especially when a team as talented as the Bengals fail to make the playoffs three straight years.

It’s time for a change. It does not strike fear into any opponent. Just a rant on my end.

Change the song — change the defense — and change the coach.

The Bengals host the Browns — which surprised the NFL world with the win over Pittsburgh — on Sunday at the Jungle in the final installment of the Battle for Ohio and will put an end to the dismal 2025 season.

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