Here are three things I’m watching from the Bengals tonight, starting with how they’ll cope without one of their top receivers.
Can Mike Gesicki keep the offense rolling? With Tee Higgins (quad) expected to miss a third consecutive game the Bengals need a potent weapon opposite Ja’Marr Chase. The Higgins replacement hasn’t been a receiver, but Gesicki, the tight end/receiver who they’ve used all over the field. His splits on the season in games with and without Higgins are crazy.
Even more encouraging than his stats have been the words coming from the mouth of Joe Burrow. Following Gesicki’s 100-yard, two-touchdown performance on Sunday against the Raiders Burrow offered effusive praise of the tight end and its apparent their trust is trending upward. If he can provide the counter to doubles and clouds expected to follow Chase tonight, that could prove enough to keep up with Lamar Jackson and company.
