#Bengals safety Geno Stone with a strong endorsement of defensive coordinator Al Golden and the Bengals scheme: “It’s not the scheme. It’s definitely not the scheme. It’s people doing their job. The scheme he puts together is setting everyone up to be successful."

After a 33-31 win over the Steelers on Oct. 16, optimism remained for the Bengals. Their next two home games against the Jets and Bears seemed winnable, offering a chance to climb above .500 and rejoin the AFC North race. However, that optimism quickly faded.

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden has been in coaching for 30 years. When Cincinnati opens its season on Sunday at the Cleveland Browns, Golden will call defensive plays in the NFL for the first time. “I’m excited ...

The Bengals are a mess, and somehow managed to get even messier on Sunday in a 47-42 loss to the Bears. It dropped them to 3-6, put a potentially devastating dent in whatever small playoff hopes they still had and seemed to result in some post-game finger-pointing from the offense toward the defense.