Captains’ Code: Breaking Down 2025 NFL Team DNA — Cincinnati Bengals
Edition #270
Everyone’s doing season previews — but we’re doing something different. The
Captains’ Code is all about what really makes or breaks an NFL team. It’s not just about rosters or vibes. It’s about the identity, the pressure points, the bold calls, and the one thing that could send everything crashing down… or finally take them over the top. No filler. Just straight-up football breakdowns that tell you what actually matters heading into 2025.
The X-Factor That Will Make or Break This Season
Last year's defense was atrocious, and someone’s got to fix it. That doesn’t exactly hinge upon one or two positions, though. It’s going to be up to Al Gordon, the new defensive coordinator. If the Bengals want to be any threat in the playoffs, let alone make it, Gordon really has to develop someone like Shemar Stewart really fast. It’s probably going to be hard to do it all without Trey Hendrickson, so the Bengals really need to try to lock him in fast. At least he’s showing up to training camp.
Last Year’s Numbers:
In the 2024 NFL regular season, the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense was one of the better units in the league. They ranked 6th in points scored with 472 (27.8/g). Their passing attack was particularly strong, ranking 1st in passing yards per game with 272.9 and 9th in total yards per game with 365.5. However, their rushing offense ranked 30th in the league with 92.6 yards per game. Defensively, the Bengals allowed 434 points (25.5/g), ranking 25th in the league. They ranked 25th in total yards allowed per game. The Bengals’ defense registered 48 sacks and had 15 interceptions. Their turnover ratio for the season was +3. The Bengals had the 7th-worst scoring defense.
Key Player(s) to Watch: The Heroes and the Wild Cards
Shemar Stewart.
Stewart was the first-round pick for the Bengals this season, and he, too, sat out the entire offseason over a contract dispute. If the Bengals want to make the playoffs this season, Stewart needs to show up. Even if they’re able to sign Hendrickson to a new contract, and even though they signed a new defensive coordinator, the players have to play well, and Stewart has to do exactly that. Otherwise, I don’t have much hope for this Bengals team.
Coaching: What’s Different This Year?
The Cincinnati Bengals made several coaching changes for the 2025 season, highlighted by the hiring of Al Golden as defensive coordinator to replace Lou Anarumo. Other defensive staff additions include Jerry Montgomery as defensive line coach/run game coordinator, Mike Hodges as linebackers coach, Sean Desai as senior defensive assistant, and Mike Moon as defensive assistant. On offense, Scott Peters was hired as offensive line coach, Michael McCarthy as assistant offensive line coach, and Jordan Salkin was promoted to assistant wide receivers coach.
The Bold Prediction
Now the Bengals usually struggle at the start of the season, at least under coach Zac Taylor, but if Cincinnati can find a way to win the first two games of the season, which they hopefully shouldn’t have a problem with since they are playing the Cleveland Browns and the Jacksonville Jaguars, then I believe the Bengals will have a great season.
The Realistic Win Total & Why
11-6. I’m very high on this Bengals team, and I know that when this team comes together, they can ball out. The defense was the weakness last year. It’s the same this year. Trey Hendrickson has ended his holdout to help the younger players grow, and Shemar Stewart has finally signed. Those are all good signs, but they’re going to need to make some acquisitions if they want to get to this point, which I predict they will do.
The Biggest Question Mark Heading Into 2025
Can the defense play to the level of the offense?
My Takeaway
Like I said before, I believe that this team is very good, and with most of their key guys (aside from Hendrickson) being locked up for the future, they have a medium-sized window to win it all, but they have to use it.
Benglas lose to the Browns on week1