Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals

Regardless of the Bengals' record right now, having Joe Burrow back makes it fun to watch them play. The crazy thing is... they still have more than a realistic chance of they can win out and win the AFC North. Alex Frank, Mike Santagana, and Art Valero discuss how serious we should be taking the Bengals' playoff prospects going into December.    Another things that's fun to watch with the Bengals...

The Cincinnati Bengals have a clear, but difficult road to the 2025 playoffs and a division title. James Rapien and Jake Liscow dissect the AFC North race as Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers stumble, as winning out is the Bengals’ most viable path. We dive into critical games, tiebreakers, and what needs to change for Cincinnati to seize the division crown. Join the Locked On Bengals Insid...

Joe Burrow's return to the field helped spark the Cincinnati Bengals to a statement win over the Baltimore Ravens, overcoming turf toe and questions about his mobility. Jake Liscow and Mike Santagata break down Burrow's film, highlighting standout throws, improved offensive line play—especially from Amarius Mims and Orlando Brown—and critical red zone adjustments. The conversation covers Al Golden...

Joe Burrow leads the Bengals to a ROAD win, on a short week, in prime time, on Thanksgiving in Baltimore against the red-hot Ravens. Alex Frank, Mike Santagana, and Art Valero break down this impressive performance by Joe Burrow and the Bengals in a game they needed to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.   It wasn't just Joe Burrow. The much-maligned Bengals' defense forced FIVE turnovers against...

Cincinnati Bengals roar back as Joe Burrow shakes off the rust for a statement win against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night. Is a late-season playoff push suddenly within reach? James Rapien and Jake Liscow break down the Bengals’ dominant defensive performance, spotlighting an opportunistic defensive performance led by Miles Murphy and Joseph Ossai, plus clutch plays from Ja’Marr Chase,...

An elite QB matchup in Joe Burrow's return against Lamar Jackson headlines the Cincinnati Bengals' Thanksgiving showdown in Baltimore. While both quarterbacks are battling injury questions, this was one of the best matchups in football in 2024. James Rapien and Locked On Ravens' Kevin Ostreicher dissect Joe Burrow’s return, the Bengals’ tiny playoff hopes, and the Ravens’ red zone struggles. The c...

The Cincinnati Bengals' defense showed more signs of progress against the New England Patriots with standout performances from DJ Turner, Jalen Davis, Geno Stone, and more solid play from Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai. Jake Liscow and Mike Santagata break down the Bengals' best defensive outing of the year, highlight adjustments by Al Golden, and expose lingering issues against tight ends. Plus, o...

The Cincinnati Bengals face a steep uphill climb, but Joe Burrow will be back from his turf toe injury for a critical Thanksgiving showdown against the Baltimore Ravens. With the team sitting at 3-8, will Burrow’s comeback ignite a late-season surge or simply expose the roster’s weaknesses? Jamar Chase’s public apology and mounting injuries to stars like Trey Hendrickson and Tee Higgins further co...

Zac Taylor, once again, mismanged crucial in-game situations as the Bengals fell to the New England Patriots 26-20 on Sunday at Paycor Stadium. Alex Frank, Mike Santagata, and Art Valero discuss how much increased pressure there is on Taylor after another head-scratching managing of the game. The lack of feel when calling plays and being a head coach, seven years and over 100 games into his head c...

Cincinnati Bengals suffered another heartbreaking home loss to the New England Patriots, with "what ifs" like Zac Taylor's fourth-down decisions in the way of nearly stealing a win. Jake Liscow and James Rapien spotlight a strong defensive effort, Chase Brown’s effectiveness, Evan McPherson’s record-setting field goal, and Geno Stone’s bounceback game as bright spots as Joe Flacco and the passing...

Joe Burrow may PLAY on Sunday after being a full participant in practice on Wednesday. What can the Bengals and their fans expect if Burrow returns from a Grade 3 turf toe injury, and can he be the SPARK the Bengals need? Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, though, is suspended for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots after SPITTING on Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Do the Benga...

Zac Taylor turned down multiple opportunities to rule Joe Burrow out for the Cincinnati Bengals' Week 12 matchup with the New England Patriots, then Burrow went "full" for the Bengals' Wednesday practice. That raised our eyebrows. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down why Burrow would come back this week, the pros and cons of his return now instead of later, and how much of a difference he makes...

The New England Patriots have surge to the top of the AFC with Drake Maye entering the MVP conversation, while the Cincinnati Bengals spiral after three straight losses and Ja'Marr Chase’s suspension. Can Joe Flacco and a depleted Bengals offense find answers against Mike Vrabel’s rejuvenated Patriots, or will Cincinnati’s tackling woes continue to haunt them? James Rapien and Nick Cattles break d...

With playoff hopes dashed, our Bengals films review shifts to assessing future building blocks as Myles Murphy and Dax Hill hand standout games against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jake Liscow and film analyst Mike Santaga spotlight Murphy’s promising showing amidst ongoing issues on defense. On the offensive side of the ball, the Bengals failed to adapt as double teams gave Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins...

Ja'Marr Chase let his frustration show LOUDLY in the Bengals 34-12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday. Alex Frank, Mike Santagana, and Art Valero react to frustration boiling over in the Bengals' meltdown in Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon. The defense still has the same issues, Joe Flacco looked like he didn't have any magic that he had the previous three games, and Zac Taylor looks like he is lo...

A bad season gets worse for the Cincinnati Bengals as Ja'Marr Chase will likely serve a one-game suspension this week after a spitting incident with Jalen Ramsey. And with Chase's absence, the offense will likely continue to spiral. James Rapien and Jake Liscow spotlight the implications of Chase’s absence, debate NFL precedent for suspensions, and gauge Zac Taylor’s leadership as injuries pile up...

The Cincinnati Bengals' season is all but over after dropping to 3-7 in Pittsburgh. The Steelers effectively shut down Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and the Bengals' offense that couldn't capitalize on early opportunities before the entire team wilted in the second half. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down how it all went wrong in a frustratingly predictable, crushing loss. Join the Locked On Be...

Joe Burrow is PLAYING FOOTBALL! He has been CLEARED to practice and is in the 21-day window to be activated off injured reserve, so when could we see No. 9 in GAME action? Could it be SOONER rather than later?   If the Bengals are going anywhere this season, though, their defense MUST improve. Can they even do that this point? Jake explains why the metrics indicate how bad this defense is and who,...

The Cincinnati Bengals face a make-or-break clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers as their 2025 playoff dreams are hanging by a thread. Can Joe Flacco and a surging offense overcome a historically poor defense and injuries to key players like Trey Hendrickson? James Rapien and Jake Liscow don't have much hope for the defense, but if they're going to be anything different, they need to start showing i...

The Pittsburgh Steelers reinvented their defense after Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins torched them, but can Aaron Rodgers snap the Steelers’ recent offensive slump? Joe Flacco’s surprising impact in Cincinnati, aided by a surging run game and explosive targets like Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins, poses new challenges. With Trey Hendrickson doubtful, will the Bengals’ historically struggling defense of...

Will Joe Burrow's comeback hinge on the Cincinnati Bengals' playoff hopes or his health? Jake Liscow and The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. discuss how much Burrow can make a difference as the offense has been humming without him, and whether medical clearance or football performance will drive his return to action.  Then we dive into what really matters in the second half of the Bengals' season. Key...

Joe Burrow returned to practice for the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, less than two months after his turf toe injury was surgically repaired in September. That opens his 21-day window to return to the Bengals' 53-man roster, but Burrow seems to be targeting a return for Thursday Night Football on Thanksgiving in Baltimore. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down what it all means, and how the Beng...

Editor's note: This was recorded before Joe Burrow returned to practice on November 10 - We plan content around his continued rehab as well! The Cincinnati Bengals' playoff hopes took a major hit after two brutal defensive performances, and James Rapien welcomes Robert Weintraub from Cincinnati Magazine to break it all down. Why did the Bengals' defense collapse? Should they have traded Trey Hendr...

Cincinnati Bengals’ young core faces growing pains in 2025, but rookie Dylan Fairchild’s growth spurs optimism for the offensive line’s future. Fairchild’s blend of strength and intelligence signals a potential franchise building block. Is the Bengals’ faith in youth beginning to pay off, or are looming struggles ahead? Jake Liscow and Mike Santagata evaluate the development of key Bengals prospec...

The Cincinnati Bengals' offense keeps firing as Joe Flacco and Tee Higgins ignite against the Chicago Bears, but defensive woes have derailed the season. Jake Liscow and Mike Santagata break down how the Bengals stayed explosive on offense, and the offensive staff’s creative adaptations, including play action, mesh concepts, and tendency-breaking run plays. Unfortunately, the problems on defense a...