Bengals lose key defender prior to matchup with Browns in Week 16 as they battle to keep their playoff hopes alive in this week’s AFC North showdown against the Browns.
Early in the season, struggles for both Ohio teams—Cleveland and Cincinnati—were magnified (cue the “Cincy is in Kentucky” jokes) as neither squad could find their footing. However, since Week 6, the Bengals have slowly started to turn things around and remain in the AFC playoff picture, clinging to slim hopes with a 6-8 record. Meanwhile, the Browns have largely floundered, both on and off the field.
As these two teams gear up for their Week 16 clash, Cincinnati will need significant help to stay in the playoff hunt and to replicate their Week 7 victory over Cleveland.
In Week 15, the Bengals even got creative, designing a fun play to get defensive end Sam Hubbard into the end zone.
Although Hubbard showed no signs of injury during his touchdown celebration, he hurt his right knee on the play and did not return to the game. On Monday, it was announced that the thrilling play had also brought an end to Hubbard’s season
This season, Hubbard has recorded just two sacks in 14 games, but his standout performance came in Week 7 against the Browns. The Ohio State alum filled the stat sheet with an interception, a sack, a pass defended, a forced fumble, a tackle for loss, and three quarterback hits.
With Hubbard sidelined, Joseph Ossai will step into much of his role. Ossai is currently tied for second on the team with three sacks, though he trails far behind team leader Trey Hendrickson. Notably, no other Bengals defensive end has registered a sack this season.
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