The Cincinnati Bengals finally get their first win of 2024, beating the Panthers 34-24

There is no clearer example of the Bengals' early-season futility than this: They stumbled into Week 4 against the woeful Carolina Panthers, and Carolina has had more wins this season, as “1” is more than “0.” ”

But Carolina is usually well-suited to its opponents' problems, and Cincinnati managed to eke out a 34-24 victory, its first win of the season. Joe Burrow still lacks the sharpness he once had, and Cincinnati's defense has been far too generous to former Bengal Andy Dalton, but a win is a win.

The Bengals already had a great chance of making the playoffs; Only six teams have ever made the playoffs after starting 0-3, and only one — the 2018 Houston Texans — has done so since 2000. And only one team in NFL history – the then-1992 San Diego Chargers – made it into the playoffs after starting 0-4. Yes, Cincinnati lost its first three games of the season by a total of 12 points… but there is no “near miss” column in the standings. So for now, the Bengals are in a must-win situation from here on out.

Sunday won't go down in Bengals history as a pretty win, but it was necessary. The teams traded touchdowns for most of the first half, but Cincinnati took the lead with just over a second left before halftime when Burrow hit Zack Moss for a one-yard touchdown for a 21-14 lead. The Bengals would extend their lead to 31-14 before the Panthers got back on the field.

Burrow finished the day with 232 yards on 22 of 31 passing and two touchdowns. But he made some uncharacteristic mistakes, none more obvious or glaring than a fourth-quarter interception. Burrow struggled to escape the pressure and threw a pass in the vague direction of Ja'Marr Chase, but he ended up throwing it right into the hands of Carolina's Xavier Woods:

It was a bit of redemption for Woods, whose missed tackle on Chase early in the game led directly to a long Cincinnati touchdown:

Dalton, meanwhile, was solid in his second start after benching former No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young, throwing for 220 yards and two touchdowns against a first-quarter interception. It wasn't enough to win, but it was probably enough to keep Dalton in the QB1 role going forward.

There's still a chance for Cincinnati, which faces division rivals Baltimore and Cleveland in the next three weeks with a non-conference date with the Giants in between. The opponents will likely be tougher than Carolina, so now is the time for the Bengals to step on the gas.