The Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the biggest letdowns in the NFL this season. After a 2-0 start that cost them franchise quarterback Joe Burrow until at least mid-December, the team has lost six of its last seven games, in large part due to one of the worst defensive units in the league.
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame released his AFC Midseason Report Card and gave the Bengals an “F” grade for how their 2025 season has gone.
“This has been a disastrous season for the Bengals,” Verderame said. “Once again, Joe Burrow was lost for the year, this time with a turf toe injury. It’s the third time since being drafted in 2020 that Burrow needed to go on injured reserve with a season-ending ailment.”
While Burrow isn’t technically out for the season, with a playoff berth essentially eliminated at this point, it would make more sense to keep Burrow on the sidelines and focus on his rehab for the 2026 season. Unless the Bengals were to go undefeated until mid-December, there really isn’t a reason to rush Burrow back.
The trade for quarterback Joe Flacco has been nothing short of a huge success, but the Bengals’ defense struggling to stop even the worst offense in the NFL has made all of the offense’s production in recent weeks be all for naught.
”However, this grade isn’t only about Burrow. The Bengals ranked 25th in points and yards allowed in 2024. As a result, they fired coordinator Lou Anarumo, who has enjoyed success with the Colts. His replacement, Al Golden, has watched the Jets and Bears each hang more than 500 yards on his defense the past two weeks, with the unit ranking dead last in yards (426.6) and points (33.3) surrendered per game,” he said.
A 3-6 record with arguably the worst defense in the NFL makes the “F” on the report card deserved.
Without some sort of miracle, you can expect that to be the proper grade when the season comes to a close as well.
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