Fresh off the bye week, the 3-1 Seahawks take their show back on the road against the 2-3 Cincinnati Bengals. As Seattle looks to keep their winning streak alive, here are six things to know about their AFC North opponent.
Getting Open: Ja'Marr Chase off to Red-Hot Start
Third-year Bengals wideout Ja'Marr Chase is nearly halfway to the 1,000-yard mark after five games, with 476 yards through five games. In Cincinnati’s 34-20 win over the Cardinals, Chase set a franchise-record 15 receptions, going for 192 yards and three scores. The Week 5 NFC Offensive Player of the week has been targeted at least eight times in all five of Cincinnati's contests. Preventing the two-time Pro Bowl selection from having a big game will be a priority for Seattle's secondary.
Trey Hendrickson: Mr. Consistent
Seventh-year defensive end Trey Hendrickson continues to be one of the league's premiere pass rushers, producing six sacks through five games. Since joining the Bengals in 2021, Hendrickson has accounted for 28 sacks in 36 games, along with seven forced fumbles. The Seahawks have allowed quarterback Geno Smith to be sacked just seven times in 2023. Preventing Hendrickson from another impact game could help the Seahawks in their quest for a road victory.
Joe Burrow: 'Close to 100 Percent' Ahead of Week 6
A strained right calf has hobbled Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throughout the early 2023 season, but the Louisiana State University alum put up a season-high 317 passing yards in Cincinnati's 34-20 win over the Cardinals in Week 5. Following Wednesday's practice, the 2020 No.1-overall selection gave an update on his health, saying he’s in the best shape of the season.
"By far," said Burrow. "I'm confident I can run around and extend plays right now. It's tough to say a percentage … It's getting better and better."
Coming off his first three-score game of the season, Seattle will look to create pressure. Cincinnati's offensive line has allowed Burrow to be sacked 11 times through five games.
Smokin' Joe Mixon
Bengals seventh-year running back Joe Mixon is just 36 yards shy of climbing to third place on Cincinnati's all-time rushing list, with 5,706 career yards. The Oklahoma alum has rushed for 328 yards on 84 carries, scoring one touchdown. Mixon looks for his first 100-yard game of the season Sunday, after recording a season-high 81 yards against the Cardinals in Week 5. With a season-high of 25 carries last week, Mixon could look to challenge Seattle's stifling run defense, which is holding opponents to just 3.2 yards per carry (1st) and 87.5 rushing yards per contest (6th).
Chidobe Awuzie: Day-to-Day (Back)
Seventh-year cornerback Chidobe Awuzie did not practice Wednesday for Cincinnati, after sustaining a back injury in the Bengals 34-20 Week 5 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The Colorado alum has played in 26 games with Cincinnati, after starting his career with the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Zac Taylor addressed his absence at the team’s presser.
"We'll just limit him (Awuzie) with the trainers," said Taylor. "Just day-to-day right now."
Light on Linebackers: Akeem Davis-Gaither, Devin Harper (DNP)
Cincinnati claimed linebacker Devin Harper off waivers in September, as fellow backer Akeem Davis-Gaither’s recovery from a lingering knee injury continues. But a hamstring injury kept Harper from practicing Wednesday, leaving the Bengals thin at the position.
The Seahawks and Bengals face off on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. Kickoff is set for 10:00 a.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Bengals.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Steve Largent (80) is seen in action against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Louis Breeden (34) during an NFL game Sept. 6, 1981, Cincinnati. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Cris Collinsworth shakes a Seattle Seahawks defender as he runs for an 18-yard gain on a pass from Bengals quarterback Turk Schonert in the second quarter of the Bengals 27-21 win in the season opener at Cincinnati, Sept. 6, 1981. (AP Photo)
Cincinnati Bengals Ickey Woods (30) runs away from Seattle Seahawks Jacob Green in the second quarter of the Bengals 21-13 AFC semi-final victory in Cincinnati, Jan. 2, 1981. The Bengals will play for the AFC championship next Sunday in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80) gets a pat on the helmet from teammate Norm Johnson after Largent caught his 100th career touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Dec. 10, 1989. Largent broke the 44-year-old NFL record he shared with Don Hutson. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent catches his 100th career touchdown pass in the first half of their game with the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium, Dec. 10, 1989. The touchdown broke the 44-year-old record held by Don Hutson. (AP Photo/Rob Burns)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason carries the ball during the Bengals AFC divisional playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks in Cincinnati, Dec. 31, 1989. The Bengals will play the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl XXIII, in Miami on January 22. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Stanford Jennings, center, of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled by Nesby Glasgo, bottom, and Cortez Kennedy (96) of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of NFL game in Seattle, Oct. 2, 1990. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Seattle's quarterback Dave Krieg steps away from a Cincinnati defender in the second half of NFL game in Seattle, Oct. 1, 1990. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Nose tackle Cortz Kennedy (96) of the Seattle Seahawks rushes quarterback Boomer Espason (7) of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1991. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
The Seattle Seahawks play against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Kingdome in Seattle, Wash., Sunday, Nov. 6, 1994. Seattle lost 20-17. (AP Photo/Bill Chen)
Seattle Seahawks running back Ricky Watters (32) is shown Nov. 7, 1999 in their game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna (3) releases a pass while avoiding a sack by Seattle Seahawks' D.D. Lewis, right, in the third quarter,Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, in Cincinnati. Kitna completed 19 of 31 passes for 240 yards as the Bengals won, 27-24. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Itula Mili pulls in a first-quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (9), center, hands the ball off to running back Kenny Watson (33) during in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007 at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh catches a pass in the end zone as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Kelly Jennings, left, and safety Brian Russell defend and carry him out of bounds denying the Bengals a touchdown during the first quarter of their football game in Seattle, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007. The Seahawks went on to win 24-21.(AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, second from right, passes to wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, left foreground, for a 35-yard touchdown with Seattle Seahawks' Chuck Darby defending during the first quarter of their football in Seattle, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) runs for yards in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007 at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch in action against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Leon Washington returns kick against the Cincinnati Bengals during a game on October 30, 2011. The Bengals defeated the Seahawks 34-12.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ben Obomanu pulls in a reception over Bengals defensive back Leon Hall during a game on October 30, 2011. The Bengals defeated the Seahawks 34-12.
Seattle Seahawks' Tarvaris Jackson in action against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks face off in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton sets to pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks Thomas Rawls (34) during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 11, 2015.
( Tom DiPace via AP )
Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson (3) during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 11, 2015.
( Tom DiPace via AP )
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) runs the ball in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Cincinnati. The Bengals won 27-24. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Seattle Seahawks' team captains take the field for the pregame coin toss during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 11, 2015. The Bengals defeated the Seahawks 27-24.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson evades Bengals defenders as he looks to pass down the field during a game on October 11, 2015. The Bengals defeated the Seahawks 27-24.
