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NFL 2018: Every team’s biggest bust this season

By Randy Gurzi

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 28: Sammy Watkins #14 of the Kansas City Chiefs puts on the breaks in the open field to make a cut during the second half of the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 28: Sammy Watkins #14 of the Kansas City Chiefs puts on the breaks in the open field to make a cut during the second half of the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 2: Head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals shakes hands with head coach Vance Joseph of the Denver Broncos at the end of the game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Denver defeated Cincinnati 24-10. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 2: Head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals shakes hands with head coach Vance Joseph of the Denver Broncos at the end of the game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Denver defeated Cincinnati 24-10. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Bengals: Marvin Lewis

This offseason, it looked like the long-standing relationship between Marvin Lewis and the Cincinnati Bengals was coming to an end. More than one report surfaced that there was a mutual decision that the head coach would hand over his headset following 2017. It wasn’t anything negative as there were reports he would serve in a front office role with the team, but then that all changed. Instead of Lewis leaving, he ended up signing an extension to continue coaching the team. And it’s been a disaster.

Lewis and the Bengals started on fire, but then they cooled off big time. After their Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, they’re now sitting at 5-8 on the year. Making it look worse is the streak they’re on now. Cincinnati has now dropped five-straight games.

After the first loss of that streak, Lewis fired defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and he took over the duties himself. He also added one of his friends, Hue Jackson, who has one of the worst track records in the history of the league.

Jackson was given a weird title as a special assistant on the defensive side of the ball, but he was really brought there to help them beat the Browns who were on the schedule two more times. It was a cheap way to try to score a couple of wins, and they were thoroughly embarrassed in their first chance at such a win.

Again, the rumors are swirling that Lewis could be on his way out. Worse than that, there are those who think Hue Jackson could be the replacement — which would be incredibly bad. Cincy should have moved on from Lewis when they had the chance. Now, he’s given them another bad season and brought in a terrible potential replacement which could hurt them for years after he is gone.

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