LA Chargers: Complete roster comparison vs. Cincinnati Bengals
By Jason Reed
The offenses:
Quarterback: Advantage, Cincinnati Bengals
I know I am going to get ridiculed for this but I do think that first overall pick Joe Burrow is a more talented quarterback than Tyrod Taylor. There is a reason why Burrow went first overall and admittedly, I have always been a big fan of his.
I think you could make the case for Taylor being better in Week 1 because he is a veteran but he has not started a game in two years, so that is a moot point. To be fair, Taylor ranked 27th in Bolt Beat’s starting quarterback rankings while Burrow ranked 20th, so I am not alone.
Running backs: Advantage, LA Chargers
Joe Mixon is a really solid running back but he is currently questionable for the game and even at his best, I am not sure if he is that much better than Austin Ekeler, if he is better at all. Mixon is the better ball-carrier, sure, but Ekeler is more dynamic.
I also like the running backs behind Ekeler more than I like Giovany Bernard and co. in Cincy.
Wide receivers: Advantage, Cincinnati Bengals (if Mike Williams doesn’t play)
If Mike Williams does not play then the Bengals have the overall better receiving corps. Keenan Allen is the best receiver on the field, but the quartet of A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, John Ross and Tee Higgins is more talented than Allen, Jalen Guyton, Joe Reed and K.J. Hill. If Williams plays then it is advantage, Chargers.
Tight ends: Advantage, LA Chargers
The Bengals have one of the worst tight end rooms in the league while the Chargers have a top-eight pass-catching tight end, a solid blocking tight end behind him and some fun potential with Donald Parham.
Offensive line: Advantage, LA Chargers
Savor this, Charger fans. This might be the only team in the NFL that the LA Chargers have an offensive line advantage over. Personally, I am still not very high on this O-line, but it can be league average if everything goes right for the team. At the end of the day, though, it is still not as bad as the Bengals’, thankfully.
Overall offensive advantage: LA Chargers
The Cincinnati Bengals are only better in two areas because of an injury to the receiving corps and the fact that they had the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, who could still struggle in his first professional football game.