Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals are searching for answers on offense and defense

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 11/3/22

The Bengals offense looks lost without WR Ja'Marr Chase. It seems they're searching for answers on defense as well.

Cincinnati didn't have a receiver eclipse 50 yards in the team's 32-13 loss to the Browns in Week 8. It remains to be seen why the Bengals struggled so much even without Chase, but the team is hoping they have their defensive answer in 2022 first-round pick Daxton Hill.

Hill hasn't seen a lot of playing time this season but has looked impressive when on the field.

Dax Hill through 8 games:

• 27 coverage snaps
• 1 target
• 1 reception allowed (2 yards)
• 0 penalties

The Bengals rookie safety has been SHUTDOWN when he’s on the field pic.twitter.com/tkeZxgH7Ey
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) November 1, 2022

Hill is switching from safety to cornerback to help fill the void left by CB Chidobe Awuzie who was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

With Chidobe Awuzie lost for the season with a torn ACL, it's important to take stock of how significant this loss will be for the #Bengals defense.

Of all CBs seeing at least 20 targets this year, he was second in the NFL in completion percentage allowed (18 of 43 - 41.9%).
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 1, 2022

However, Hill can't even remember the last time he played cornerback.

"I haven’t played it in some years, so it’s going to take a little bit of time," Hill told reporters. "Literally everything is just different in terms of technique."

Hill is unsure whether or not his number will be called this weekend as Cincinnati (4-4) looks to bounce back vs. the Panthers (2-6).

"I don’t know what my role’s gonna be," Hill added. "I’ll be ready whenever my number is called."

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