Tee Higgins' Return Strengthens Attack of the Cincinnati Bengals

In the high-octane offense of the Cincinnati Bengals, every piece matters—but few pieces are as irreplaceable as Tee Higgins. When the 6’4” wide receiver was sidelined for four games with a concussion in the middle of the 2024 season, the Bengals’ attack showed cracks: Ja’Marr Chase was swarmed by double teams, red-zone efficiency dropped, and Joe Burrow lost a reliable target who thrives in contested-catch situations. But with Higgins’ return in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Bengals’ offense didn’t just bounce back—it reclaimed its status as one of the NFL’s most dangerous units. Higgins didn’t just play; he dominated, hauling in 6 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown, including a clutch 22-yard third-down reception that kept a game-winning drive alive. His presence isn’t just about stats, though—it’s about balance, threat, and the confidence he injects into every play. Tee Higgins' Return Strengthens Attack of the Cincinnati Bengals explores how his comeback has reshaped the Bengals’ offense, relieved pressure on teammates, and reestablished the team as a scoring powerhouse heading into the playoff push.

Tee Higgins' Return Strengthens Attack of the Cincinnati Bengals begins with the most immediate impact: the end of Chase’s solo battle against double teams. For the four weeks Higgins was out, opposing defenses made a clear choice—send two defenders to cover Chase on nearly every snap. The result? Chase’s catch rate dropped from 72% to 58%, and he went without a touchdown in three of those four games. But with Higgins back, defenses can no longer afford to focus solely on Chase. Against the Jaguars, Higgins drew coverage from Jaguars cornerback Darious Williams (a Pro Bowl candidate) for much of the game, freeing Chase to face single coverage—and Chase capitalized, catching 8 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. “Having Tee back is like giving Joe [Burrow] a second ace in the hole,” said Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters. “Defenses have to pick their poison now. If they double Ja’Marr, Tee beats them deep. If they single Ja’Marr, he torches them. You can’t cover both of them one-on-one, and you can’t double both—so they’re stuck.” This dynamic has turned the Bengals’ passing attack from “dangerous” to “unpredictable,” forcing opposing secondaries into constant, costly adjustments.

Tee Higgins' Return Strengthens Attack of the Cincinnati Bengals shifts to his dominance in the red zone—a area where the Bengals struggled mightily without him. Before Higgins’ injury, the Bengals scored touchdowns on 65% of their red-zone trips, one of the top rates in the NFL. During his absence, that number plummeted to 42%, as Burrow lacked a target who could outmuscle defenders for short-range passes. Higgins changed that instantly against the Jaguars: in the second quarter, he boxed out Jaguars safety Andre Cisco in the end zone, leaped to catch a 5-yard Burrow pass, and came down with a touchdown that gave the Bengals a 14-7 lead. It was exactly the kind of play the Bengals had been missing—Higgins’ size (6’4”, 215 lbs) and body control make him nearly unguardable in the red zone, where space is limited and contested catches are the norm. “Tee is our red-zone weapon,” Burrow said after the game. “When we get inside the 20, I know I can look his way and he’ll come down with it. He’s got that knack for finding the soft spot in the defense and making the tough catch.” For the Bengals, this red-zone resurgence is critical: as the playoff race tightens, every touchdown (not just field goal) could be the difference between winning and losing.

Tee Higgins' Return Strengthens Attack of the Cincinnati Bengals delves into the tactical flexibility he brings to offensive coordinator Brian Callahan’s playbook. With Higgins on the field, the Bengals can run formations they couldn’t use while he was out—like “12 personnel” (one running back, two tight ends, two wide receivers) with Higgins and Chase as the wideouts, or “empty sets” where Higgins lines up in the slot to create mismatches with linebackers. Against the Jaguars, Callahan used Higgins in the slot on three key plays, and each time, Higgins exploited slower linebackers: he caught a 15-yard pass on third-and-8, drew a pass-interference call that set up a touchdown, and made a 10-yard catch to move the chains in the fourth quarter. “Tee’s versatility opens up everything,” Callahan explained. “We can line him outside, in the slot, even motion him across the formation to create confusion. Defenses have to adjust their personnel every time we shift him, and that creates gaps for other players.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this flexibility isn’t just about looking flashy—it’s about winning. It allows the offense to adapt to any defensive scheme, whether it’s a cover-2 zone or a man-to-man press, and keeps opponents guessing from snap to snap.

Tee Higgins' Return Strengthens Attack of the Cincinnati Bengals explores how his presence has boosted the entire offense’s confidence—not just Burrow and Chase, but also the running game and the offensive line. When defenses are forced to focus on Higgins and Chase, they often pull defenders out of the box to cover wide receivers, leaving fewer players to stop Joe Mixon. Against the Jaguars, Mixon rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.8 yards per carry—his best performance since Week 8. The offensive line also benefited: with defenses less focused on blitzing (afraid of leaving Higgins or Chase uncovered), Burrow had more time to throw, being sacked just once all game. “Tee’s return makes everyone’s job easier,” said left tackle Jonah Williams. “Defenses can’t send extra rushers because they have to cover the wideouts, so we have more time to block. Joe has more time to read the defense, and Mixon has more room to run. It’s a domino effect.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this collective confidence is just as important as any single play. It turns a good offense into a great one, as every player knows their teammates have their back—and that the offense can score from anywhere on the field.

Tee Higgins' Return Strengthens Attack of the Cincinnati Bengals wraps up with what his comeback means for the Bengals’ playoff aspirations. As the Bengals enter December’s critical stretch—with games against the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and Cleveland Browns—they need an offense that can score against the AFC’s top defenses. With Higgins back, they have that. The Ravens’ secondary, which has struggled against physical wide receivers, will have to find a way to contain both Higgins and Chase. The Bills’ defense, which relies on press coverage, will face a mismatch with Higgins’ size and strength. And the Browns’ young cornerbacks will be tested by Higgins’ route-running and catch ability. “Tee’s return is the final piece of our offensive puzzle,” head coach Zac Taylor said. “We have all our weapons back, and we’re playing our best football at the right time. This offense is capable of scoring 30+ points every week, and that’s what we need to make a deep playoff run.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, Tee Higgins isn’t just a wide receiver—he’s a difference-maker. His return has strengthened the attack, united the offense, and given the team a fighting chance to compete for a Super Bowl. As the playoff push heats up, all eyes will be on Higgins—and the Bengals’ offense— to deliver when it matters most.