The Bengals' 2024 season featured a historic display of offensive firepower.
Cincinnati set a franchise record with 472 points scored, surpassing the 2021 total of 460, while leading the NFL in multiple statistical categories. The Bengals ranked fifth in the NFL with 57 total touchdowns and were top 10 in total yards and yards per game.
Per Pro Football Focus, the Bengals ranked fifth in touchdown drive percentage and first in passing touchdowns of at least 20 yards. In total, Cincinnati finished eighth in the league in points per drive, fifth in red-zone percentage and sixth in EPA/play. EPA is expected points added, and it essentially defines the value of each play by the effect it has on the offense's ability to score. It is a good measurement of how well a team performs relative to expectation. For the Bengals' offense, it exceeded the statistical expectation.
"I think we're the best offense in the league," quarterback Joe Burrow said after Week 17. "We've been so consistent this whole year. Guys stepping up in big spots and making big plays for us. Guys go down, somebody else has to step up and make plays, and we've just consistently done that."
Burrow led an elite passing attack, as the Bengals led the NFL in passing yards, passing yards per game and passing touchdowns. Pro Football Focus graded the Bengals as the best passing offense in the NFL with a 92.8-passing grade. PFF had Burrow tied with Buffalo's Josh Allen for the league lead in big-time throws, each with 37.
Receiver Ja'Marr Chase erupted this season, pacing the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns for the NFL Triple Crown. Tee Higgins tallied 911 yards and finished sixth in the NFL with 10 receiving touchdowns despite missing time with injury. Tight end Mike Gesicki had one of his best seasons as a pro in his first year with the Bengals: The former Dolphin and Patriot became the third Bengals tight end to have 60 catches in a season, finishing with 65, the second-most of his career.
"I take pride in the fact that everybody eats in this offense," Burrow said after Week 18. "Obviously, No. 1 [Chase] is going to get his touches because our offense runs through him. He's our best player, so we're going to get him the ball. But we have so many other weapons that we feel confident in, and whatever the look the defense gives us, the ball can go to so many different places. I take a lot of pride in that."
Running back Chase Brown broke out in a big way over the back half of the season as well. He provided a much-needed spark in the ground game, rushing for 990 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He went for at least 100 yards from scrimmage in five straight games, the first Bengals running back to accomplish that feat since BenJarvis Green-Ellis in 2012. Brown was 12th in rushing yards from Week 9 on despite missing Week 18, and he was third in receiving yards among running backs from that point on.
The Bengals' explosive offense ranked second in passes of 40+ yards with 12. They also converted in critical situations, finishing third in the NFL with 100 third-down conversions.
"We have the best offense in the league," defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson said after Week 16. "I feel like a parent on Christmas, watching my kids opening presents when the offense comes on the field."
