... title="impact the absence of rookie linebacker Rey Maualuga">impact the absence of rookie linebacker Rey Maualuga would have on their defense, but they didn't realize it would be this bad.

Maualuga was placed on injured reserve after he broke his ankle in the Bengals 17-10 win over the Kansas City Chiefs during Week 16. The injury could not have come at a worse time for a team making their first playoff appearance in four years.

Before their 37-0 blowout loss to the New York Jets, the Bengals entered the game with the second best rushing defense in the NFL, allowing opposing teams to gain just 87.7 yards per game. They also allowed just two runnin...

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