The Bengals are on the move!
The Cincinnati Bengals are riding their first win streak of the year after beating the Browns in Cleveland this past Sunday. They have now won two games in a row after taking down the New York Giants the week prior.
The offense hasn’t been the problem with Joe Burrow leading the way, as they have been producing at a high level. The defense is what has been clicking for this Bengals side, as they’re nearing .500 for the first time since starting the season 0-0.
That said, the national media likes them as well. Let’s examine their position in the NFL power rankings heading into Week 8.
NFL.com — No. 20 – Up from No. 22
If the Bengals were going to drag their way out of a 1-4 start to their season, the defense (and, to a lesser extent, the special teams) needed to improve by leaps and bounds. That’s just what happened over the past two contests — which, funny enough, have marked the two least-impressive offensive performances of the season, keeping Cincinnati’s streak of not playing a complete game in all three phases alive. But another win’s another win, and the Bengals showed some toughness Sunday, earning their first division victory of the season, and in a city where they hadn’t triumphed since 2017. The Browns outgained the Bengals by more than 100 yards despite having to play three quarterbacks, and they could have beaten Cincinnati had they not committed 10 penalties, missed two kicks (on a field-goal try and extra-point attempt) and allowed a 100-yard TD return by Charlie Jones to open the game.
CBS Sports — No. 23 — Down from No. 22
The offense has really come alive — especially with Tee Higgins healthy — but this team will go only as far as the defense continues to improve. It’s getting there.
ESPN — No. 19 – Down from No. 23
The 24-year-old rookie entered the league as a fourth-round pick with low expectations after suffering an ACL injury in his final year at Iowa. But All quickly became one of Cincinnati’s top tight end options. He is second in that position group in offensive snaps, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, behind veteran Drew Sample. And while Sample has been an invaluable member because of his blocking, All gives Cincinnati its most well-rounded option at tight end. He has 16 catches this season compared to Sample’s four. —Ben Baby
Sports Illustrated — No. 16 – Down from No. 14
There isn’t much to say about the Bengals being an opening act to one of the biggest moments of the NFL season on Sunday when Deshaun Watson ruptured his Achilles tendon and was seen for the last time in uniform during the 2024 season. The defense continues to struggle while the offense has reemerged as one of the league’s more efficient units. Only two teams in the NFL score at a higher clip on each drive, which is kind of impossible to believe about Cincinnati but, why would Pro Football Reference ever lie to us?
FOX Sports — No. 17 — Up from No. 16
Officially, all that matters is the Bengals have clawed back to within a game of .500 and their season is still alive. But you can’t call it encouraging that they’ve failed to pull away from the Giants and Browns in back-to-back weeks. It’s going to take more to beat Philly.
Pro Football Talk — No. 21 – Up from No. 22
See No. 10, Eagles.
USA Today — No. 16 – Up from No. 19
Look who’s almost back to .500 after an 0-3 start to the season. Interestingly, neither WR Ja’Marr Chase nor Tee Higgins has had a 100-yard game in a win this season.
Pro Football Focus — No. 11
The Bengals had lost six straight games on the road vs. Cleveland heading into Week 7 but ended that streak in a tough 21-14 win over the Browns. Cincinnati is now 3-4 and has a 37% chance of making the playoffs, and also owns the eighth-best offense in EPA per play (0.036).
Yahoo! Sports — No. 15 – Up from No. 16
The Bengals got four sacks out of Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard and Sheldon Rankins. The path out of Cincinnati’s odd malaise to start the season is the defensive line staying healthy and playing well, and at least we saw that on Sunday vs. the Browns.
