The Cincinnati Bengals have been relatively healthy this year. Bumps and bruises have caused some concern here and there but overall, when you consider other teams injury fate this year the Bengals have had some pretty good fortune in that department.
12/24/22 the Bengals took home a 4 point victory 22-18 over the New England Patriots but in the process of doing so lost right tackle La'el Collins to a torn ACL/MCL. A big hit to the O-line who has managed to work out kinks and start protecting Joe Burrow, allowing time in the pocket and getting a good push for Joe Mixon and the run game.
Fast forward to 1/8/23, the week 18 contest against the Ravens, OG Alex Cappa suffers a left ankle injury in the third quarter. Wild card weekend. LT Jonah Stillman Williams dislocates his kneecap in the second quarter of the match-up again against Baltimore. The Bengals have ruled both out for the divisional match-up against the Bills.
With the Bills already having home field advantage, the injury advantage gives them even more of an edge. Buffalo still down Von Miller, Micah Hyde and Damar Hamlin amongst others comes into the game with a 76.6 BUS ranking this week while the Bengals come in under that at 73.2 after falling from an 80.6 in wild card weekend and an 83.1 going into week 18 prior to Cappa's injury.
Why is this so important?
The Predictors data shows that offensive line and defensive line health can have a bigger affect on overall team success than many other positions. For instance, last years superbowl the Rams had a healthy D-line, while the Bengals had some O-line health issues. Burrow was sacked 7 times that game. The year before Tampa bay had a strong D-Line and the Chiefs were missing Eric Fischer a key piece to the stability of their O-line. With Patrick Mahomes turf toe injury mobility was an issue and Tampa was able to expose that getting 3 sacks for 27 yards and holding KC to just over 100 yards rushing in the game.
Offensive line health is an important factor when discussing wins and losses and unfortunately for the Bengals, being on the wrong end of it doesn't prove to be a good sign. With them missing three of their starters they are going to have to make some adjustments and hope that they can get some exceptional play from those stepping into that role.
