Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year sees the sky clearing up for the Bengals after rough first game

Week 1 overreactions are very common in the NFL. I listed some specifically for the Cincinnati Bengals this week.

But is the sky really falling after one bad loss to the New England Patriots? No. There's a lot of football left to be played, and the Bengals have shown to right the ship later in the past seasons.

This is why former NFL All-Pro linebacker and Cincinnati native Luke Kuechly believes the same can happen for the Bengals this year.

Kuechly, the 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and St. Xavier High School alum, is well aware of Cincinnati’s tendency to lose early in the season. He also knows the main reason why things tend to turn around for them later on: Joe Burrow

Even when Burrow doesn't play well in one week, like Sunday against the Patriots , his ability to put bad games quickly in the past and rebound has been a reliable theme for the Bengals.

In an appearance on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams , Kuechly referenced the one trait Burrow has always had since emerging as a star.

"I grew up in Cincinnati. I know what the fans are like Cincinnati. The one positive in Cincinnati is the confidence that Joe Burrow has," Kuechly said. "He has confidence in himself. He has confidence in Zac Taylor, he has confidence in his guys on the offensive side of the ball. So, yeah, they start slow.

"You'd love for them to kind of figure that out. But as long as you got him back there, you have a chance to win."

Burrow is undoubtedly the straw that stirs the drink for the Bengals, and when his top receivers are available and playing up to their level, it makes things even tougher for the opposition. Kuechly mentioned Ja'Marr Chase getting more in-game reps will help, as will the eventual return of Tee Higgins.

"Tee comes back, Ja'Marr gets a little bit more in football shape," Kuechly said. "You can say what you want, until you go out there and you run and you cut and you have guy's leaning on you. It's a different game once the ball gets snap versus just being in off-field offseason shape."

The goal for the Bengals was to avoid all of this, but with Burrow going through his regular motions to start the season and Chase coming off an entire training camp missed, they're back in the same spot they've been in for the last three years. It's a good thing the benefit of the doubt has been established.

"As long as you have Joe Burrow, the confidence that he has and what he can do in this team and that organization, it's a disappointing start at home, but I think they're gonna be okay."

Related: Bengals should be warned by Peyton Manning's animated moment during Week 1 'ManningCast'