One number you need to know for every AFC team: Part I

And why it matters

We are now eight weeks through the season, which is as good a time as any to take stock of where the league is at. Modern analysis is flooded with all kinds of nerdy numbers and metrics – metrics that this here writer likes to indulge and pair with film analysis. But there can be paralysis through the numerical analysis. There are So. Many. Data. Points.  

So, here’s a helpful cheat sheet for the first half (just about) of the season. Here’s a figure you need to know about every team in the AFC and why it matters. Next week: The NFC.

(A programming note: I’m splitting this piece into two because Substack has a word/size limit on emails)

Cincinnati Bengals

Over the span of eight first quarters this season, the Bengals have scored just 24 points. The week-to-week breakdown looks like this:

Week One: Vikings – 0

Week Two: Bears – 0

Week Three: Steelers – 7

Week Four: Jaguars – 0

Week Five: Packers – 7

Week Six: Lions – 7

Week Seven: Ravens – 3

Week Eight: Jets – 0

Woof. Joe Burrow et al. have consist…