The Cincinnati Bengals, regardless of whether it’s Joe Burrow or Joe Flacco under center, have one of the best offenses in the league. They also have one of the worst defenses – not just bad, but historically bad.
The result is mediocre at best, disappointing at worst. And those results are reflected by the latest NFL Power Rankings.
According to ESPN, the Bengals, 3-6 on the season, currently stand at No. 24, down one spot after their Week 10 bye. Much of that is thanks to the chemistry that has been established between Flacco and All-Pro receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Chase currently leads the league in receptions with 76 and is second in receiving yards with 831. He is tops in the NFL in yards after the catch at 49.1%.
Cincinnati moved up to No. 21 in the USA Today poll, thanks primarily to Burrow’s return to practice. USA Today and ESPN both highlight the Bengals’ historic ability to score points but not win. Cincinnati has lost six games in which they have scored 30 or more points since the start of this season.
NBC Sports and The Athletic have the Bengals at No. 24, while Fox Sports slots them at No. 26, primarily due to their strength of schedule. Cincinnati has upcoming games with the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and New England Patriots, all of whom are considered strong Super Bowl contenders this year, along with Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
By any standards, the Bengals’ season is on the brink. Despite the presence of Chase and Tee Higgins, Cincinnati’s chances of making the playoffs are slim—currently projected at just 6% by ESPN’s Football Power Index. The New York Times puts that number at 1%. Sunday’s game against the Steelers is pivotal to improving those chances.
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