The Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals are at a crossroads moment. The Reds are looking for a new manager. While the Bengals are striving to avoid an 0-4 start to their season.

The Reds parted ways with manager David Bell last Sunday. Concluding a six-year stint that featured one postseason berth. The expanded 2020 postseason where over half the league qualified. Freddie Benavides is serving as the Reds interim manager for the last week of the season. Cincinnati will go into Saturday with a 76-84 record. Guaranteeing that they will finish the season under .500.

Bell wasn’t helped by the way this season went. In recent years, the Reds had a rough April, get their act together in May. Then surge in June going into July’s All-Star break. Then fizzle after the break, fading into irrelevance by September. This year, the Reds had a relatively good April. A rocky May, good start to June and just faded after that.

The Reds had other issues that plagued them this season. Injuries were a major issue, particularly for their pitching staff. The team had to fare without starter Hunter Greene for part of the season. He returned to the lineup last Sunday. Several pitchers endured season-ending injuries late in the season. Including Graham Ashcraft, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott among others. The Reds infield is also beset by various injuries. Jeimer Candelario, Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand are all set to return in 2025.

Putting the blame on David Bell for all of that would be misguided. There’s blame to go around the Reds organization. From other members of their coaching staff to their strength and condition program. Now the Reds face the question of which managerial candidate could resolve many of these issues. One person can’t fix all of the Cincinnati Reds issues.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are facing another rough start to their season. Cincinnati’s defense is playing a big part in the team’s 0-3 start. The unit couldn’t contain the Washington Commanders on Monday night. Allowing Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels to have a field day. One would’ve thought he was running in an Olympic event. The Bengals defense also helped the Kansas City Chiefs win in week 2. By letting the Chiefs advance without much hassle in the final drive.

Injuries are a key factor in the Bengals defensive struggles. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins will miss this Sunday’s game at the Carolina Panthers. B.J. Hill is considered doubtful to play in Sunday’s game. Rookie McKinnley Jackson and defensive end Myles Murphy are on injured reserve. Jackson and Murphy won’t be available until next week at the earliest. It’s not all doom and gloom for the Bengals defense. Defensive End Trey Hendrickson practiced on Friday and is poised to play on Sunday.

Sunday’s game will feature a reunion of sorts. With Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow set to face his predecessor, Andy Dalton. Who led Carolina to a 36-22 win against the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday. It’s fascinating in hindsight how some things have changed. While others stayed the same since Dalton was the Bengals quarterback. Cincinnati’s defense had a more formidable reputation in the Dalton years. Cincinnati’s offensive line woes predated Dalton and Burrow.

Ultimately, the Reds and Bengals have much to improve on going deeper into Autumn. Both face injuries and intriguing front office decisions. While trying to just get one in the win column.