Bengals vs. Chargers: 5 things to know about today’s season opener

The visiting Chargers won’t make it easy, either, as they bring one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the league to Paul Brown Stadium, seeking to spoil Burrow’s special day.

Here are five things to know going into the game:

1. Burrow brings high expectations

Burrow has been a known winner at least since high school when he led Athens High School to a Division III runner-up finish in 2014, then capped off his college career at LSU with a national championship. He isn’t ready to say his first game will set the tone for the rest of the season and especially not his career, but he’s in Cincinnati to win.

“I’m not here to go. 500 and squeak into the playoffs,” Burrow said in his first game-week press conference Wednesday. “I’m out here to win games and win championships.”

The Bengals are coming off a 2-14 season that enabled them to take Burrow No. 1 overall in the draft, and they haven’t had even a .500 record since going 12-4 in 2015. The Chargers finished 5-11 last year.

2. Another new quarterback

The Chargers also have a new quarterback this year as Tyrod Taylor steps into the starting role to replace retired veteran Philip Rivers. L.A. drafted Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick but Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said he has known for a while that Taylor would be the starter.

“He is a winning quarterback in this league,” Lynn said of Taylor. “…He’s one of the best in the league taking care of the football. He specializes so far in not turning it over, and I just believe you win a lot of games if you take care of the football and figure out how to take it away. So I think he’s very underrated. You know, I’ve always liked him, before I had him. … So, he did a helluva job for us backing up Philip Rivers. Players have a lot of confidence in Tyrod. He’s a leader on this team and I’m excited to have him.”

The Bengals had trouble against quarterbacks that can run last year, and Taylor has some explosiveness. The Bengals also will be without defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who is out with a shoulder injury, and backup Mike Daniels was limited by a groin injury this week but was a full participant Friday and expected to play.

Taylor also has Keenan Allen as a shifty receiver that causes problems in the secondary, but Taylor will be working behind a makeshift offensive line that will be missing center Mike Pouncey and could be without tackle Bryan Bulaga (hamstring) and guard Trai Turner (knee). Wide receiver Mike Williams also is questionable with a shoulder injury.

3. Big task for Burrow’s line

Defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram could give Burrow fits all afternoon if the Bengals' offensive line isn’t ready (and better than last year). Burrow is good friends with Bosa from their days together at Ohio State but has never faced him. Bosa was a starter while Burrow practiced with the second- and third-teamers. Burrow has never even experienced a hit in the NFL yet because of the cancelation of preseason games this year.

“Obviously they have (Joey) Bosa and (Melvin) Ingram, two of the best pass rushers in the league, so I’m going to have to get the ball out of my hands quickly and know what I’m looking at,” Burrow said. “If I don’t know what I’m looking at every snap, it’s going to be a long day. Those guys will get to me quick. I know the O-line will be ready for it, and I will be ready for it as well.”

The pressure will be on left tackle Jonah Williams, who will be making his NFL debut as well after missing his rookie season with a shoulder injury last year. Williams was the Bengals' 2019 first-round pick at No. 11 overall.

4. What can A.J. Green bring?

Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green will be making his first appearance since Dec. 2, 2018, and even after a full year to recover from his 2019 ankle injury, his health is still a concern. Green was sidelined by hamstring tightness for most of practices this preseason and only began full participation this week.

Green said he is 100 percent healthy now, but he needs to prove it. Burrow isn’t worried about a lack of chemistry with his most experienced receiver.

“We’ve gotten some work in on our own while he’s been rehabbing and he’s back out there now, and I feel very comfortable,” Burrow said. “One thing about A.J. is he’s very dramatic in the way he runs routes, so it’s very easy as a quarterback to read when and where he’s going to break, and he’s always right where you need him to be. He understands the offense, each route and how it plays off all the other routes.”

John Ross and rookie Tee Higgins also were limited this preseason because of injuries or absence. The Bengals are 3-21 since Green injured his toe in Game 9 of the 2018 season.

5. More comfortable in Year 2

Bengals coach Zac Taylor said it’s a “night and day difference” how he feels going into Year 2, compared to when he was preparing for his first game as a head coach last season.

“The players just have a better understanding of the schemes,” Taylor said. “That’s the bottom line. We have a better understanding of them. I know I’ve said that several times, but that’s really what it comes down to. It has nothing to do with me. Just everyone in this building has a better comfort level with one another and what the expectations are. We’re able to play a lot faster and a lot more comfortable.”

Taylor’s playbook really took shape this offseason as he now has a chance to build under a new quarterback that he chose and with all of the offensive weapons expected to be available to help Burrow. Running back Joe Mixon, wide receiver Tyler Boyd and other potential weapons like Green, Ross and Auden Tate give Taylor the ability to do what he really wants with the offense, if the line holds up.

TODAY’S GAME

Chargers at Bengals, 4:05 p.m., 700, 1530, 102.7, 104.7