Bengals Face Challenges as NFL Rankings Highlight Weaknesses
WHO:
bengals.com - Kellen Moore enters his second season as head coach of the Saints.
bengals.com - Doug Nussmeier serves as the offensive coordinator for the Saints.
Heavy NFL - Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, rookie QB Tyler Shough, WR Chris Olave, TE Juwan Johnson, RB Alvin Kamara, head coach Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.
WHAT:
bengals.com - Tyler Shough finished second in Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
bengals.com - The Saints averaged 3.7 yards per carry, the second fewest in the league.
bengals.com - The Saints ranked sixth in yards per carry allowed (3.97) and third in third-down conversion rate allowed (34.3%).
Heavy NFL - The Cincinnati Bengals retooled their defense during the offseason.
Heavy NFL - No Bengals player appeared in ESPN's ranking of the NFL's top 10 off-ball linebackers for 2026.
bengals.com - The New Orleans Saints finished fourth in the NFC South with a 6-11 record in 2025.
bengals.com - Tyler Shough, a second-round pick from Louisville, finished 5-4 as a starter for the Saints.
bengals.com - Shough completed 67.6% of his throws for 2,385 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 11 games played and nine starts.
bengals.com - The Saints averaged 18.0 points per game, ranking 28th in the league.
bengals.com - The Saints averaged 219.3 passing yards per game, ranking 13th in the NFL.
bengals.com - Chris Olave recorded 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns, earning Associated Press Second-Team All Pro honors.
bengals.com - Juwan Johnson set a career-high with 889 receiving yards.
bengals.com - The Saints averaged 94.3 rushing yards per game, the fifth fewest in the league.
bengals.com - Alvin Kamara had a career-low 3.6 yards per carry.
bengals.com - The Saints ranked ninth in yards per game allowed (299.8) and fourth in passing yards per game allowed (179.2).
bengals.com - The Saints signed Travis Etienne to a four-year deal; he ran for 1,107 yards and added 13 total touchdowns last season.
bengals.com - The Saints also signed G David Edwards to a four-year deal and brought back LB Kaden Elliss.
bengals.com - The Saints selected USC WR Jordyn Tyson in the first round, Georgia TE Oscar Delp in the third round, and WR Bryce Lance in the fourth round during the draft.
bengals.com - The Bengals and Saints have played 15 times since 1970, with Cincinnati holding an 8-7 advantage.
bengals.com - The Bengals won the most recent matchup against the Saints in 2022, 30-26.
WHERE:
bengals.com - The Bengals return home in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints.
bengals.com - The Bengals defeated the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans.
WHEN:
bengals.com - The Bengals will face the New Orleans Saints in Week 12 of the 2026 NFL season.
WHY:
Heavy NFL - The Bengals aimed to address weaknesses in their defense after allowing too many games to slip away last season.
HOW:
bengals.com - The Saints signed G David Edwards from the Buffalo Bills on a four-year deal to solidify the interior of the offensive line.
bengals.com - The Saints brought back LB Kaden Elliss after long-time LB Demario Davis signed with the New York Jets.
bengals.com - The Saints focused on improving their ground game during free agency and the draft.
Kellen Moore is entering his second season as head coach of the Saints, with Doug Nussmeier serving as the offensive coordinator. Tyler Shough finished second in the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, while the Saints averaged just 3.7 yards per carry, the second fewest in the league. To strengthen their offensive line, the Saints signed guard David Edwards from the Buffalo Bills on a four-year deal and welcomed back linebacker Kaden Elliss after Demario Davis signed with the New York Jets.