Here is a rewritten version of the content in my own words:
Other NFL Team Previews: Rankings 32 to 15
The Cincinnati Bengals’ collapse last season, despite having Joe Burrow, was nothing short of historic.
It’s incredibly rare for a quarterback to put up MVP-caliber numbers like Burrow did last year and still miss the playoffs. The Bengals failed to secure a playoff spot even with three QBs throwing 40 touchdown passes: Dan Marino in 1986, Drew Brees in 2012, and Burrow last year. There have been six cases where quarterbacks passed for over 4,500 yards with a passer rating above 100 yet missed the postseason, including Deshaun Watson (2020), Matt Ryan (2018), Philip Rivers (2010), Brees (2015 & 2016), and Burrow last season.
Burrow achieved the second-highest passer rating ever for a QB missing the playoffs (minimum 500 attempts) with a 108.5 rating. Uniquely, he is the only quarterback ever with over 4,500 yards, 40 touchdowns, and fewer than 10 interceptions who still didn’t reach the playoffs – he threw only nine interceptions last year. Notably, all other QBs who registered such numbers missed the playoffs before the NFL expanded its postseason to include 14 teams.
Burrow was the fourth-ranked MVP candidate last season, and among the 11 MVP poll players, he and teammate Ja’Marr Chase (ninth place) did not make the playoffs.
For those who focus only on individual stats, it’s hard to argue Burrow didn’t do enough for the Bengals in 2024 – he was arguably the best QB in the league, yet Cincinnati finished just 9-8.
Usually, such a disappointing season leads to major roster changes. Instead, the Bengals doubled down, heavily investing to retain star wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase – a smart move – but made no other major offseason additions. If the contract dispute between defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson and rookie Shemar Stewart worsens, the Bengals could end up with a weaker squad than last year. Last season, their defense ranked sixth in DVOA, helping explain the eight losses despite a strong offense.
Their biggest off-field move was replacing defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo with Al Golden, a longtime college coach with limited NFL experience. This shift gives Bengals fans hope for defensive improvements but no guarantees. Anarumo was credited with Cincinnati’s strong defense that took them to the 2021 Super Bowl but was quickly hired by the Colts after being let go.
The Bengals had bad luck, dropping seven of their first eight close games last season. But with Burrow and Chase in their primes along with Higgins, the team must take responsibility if they fail again this year.
Offseason Grade
Locking up two receivers for a combined $276 million leaves little cap space. While retaining Chase and Higgins was the right call, it hampers building a championship-caliber roster. The only notable free agent addition was defensive tackle Tedarel Slaton on a $14.1 million two-year deal. Meanwhile, they lost four players who earned over $4 million annually on the open market. The draft brought in pass rusher Shemar Stewart and linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., but a contract dispute with Stewart casts uncertainty. Overall, it’s hard to argue the Bengals’ roster improved since last season.
Grade: C
Quarterback Report
Joe Burrow led the NFL with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdown passes last year. He had the most passing attempts and completed 70.5% of them with a passer rating behind only Lamar Jackson and Jared Goff. At 28 and in his prime, Burrow is on a Hall of Fame trajectory and seems poised to build on last season’s success. He takes responsibility for last year’s team shortcomings, aiming to improve.
BetMGM Odds Breakdown
With Higgins and Chase back alongside a healthy Burrow, Cincinnati looks solid offensively. The biggest concern remains a defense that allowed the eighth-most yards and seventh-most points per game last season. The Bengals, favored in 10 games, finished third last year in their division.
Yahoo Fantasy Commentary
Cincinnati was a fantasy favorite due to high-scoring shootouts in a porous defense. Little has changed, so Joe Burrow, Chase, and Higgins remain top-tier fantasy targets.
Key Stats
According to Spotrac, Chase’s contract extension averages $40 million per year while Higgins earns $28.75 million annually, the highest-paid receiver duo in NFL history at $69 million – outpacing the Eagles’ top duo by a large margin. Burrow earns $55 million per season, making this a very expensive core trio. While challenging to build a championship team under such financial strain, the Bengals are committed to maintaining a dominant passing game.
Can Al Golden Fix Cincinnati’s Defense?
Lou Anarumo’s defense lost its spark after 2021. The personnel is mostly the same, with a few new starters who may not be clear upgrades. If Hendrickson stays healthy and signs a new deal or is replaced adequately, it could be handled; otherwise, it’s a big question mark. Golden, who uses a 4-2 or 4-3 scheme with five defensive backs, hopes to improve their tackling and generate turnovers, drawing on his Notre Dame defense’s success in takeaways.
Best Case Scenario
Most teams with peak quarterbacks make the playoffs and contend for the Super Bowl. The Bengals were a rare outlier in 2024. If Golden improves the defense, the Bengals’ dominating passing attack combined with Chase’s strong running game could make them legitimate playoff contenders. Barrow’s elite quarterback play could raise the team’s ceiling significantly.
Worst Case Scenario
An elite quarterback keeps a team’s floor high, so double-digit losses seem unlikely unless injuries hit hard. But if the Bengals repeat a 9-8 finish, concerns will mount about Burrow’s future and the franchise’s ability to compete long-term. Keeping an underperforming defense and internal contract disputes could turn the Bengals into a “cheap” franchise that struggles despite having star talent.
Crystal Ball Prediction
If Cincinnati makes the playoffs, perceptions will shift dramatically since their losses were often close. They should earn a wild card spot but defense likely prevents them from reaching the level of super-teams like the Chiefs or Bills. Missing the playoffs again would force major reevaluation and changes next offseason.
Fan Take:
This analysis highlights just how challenging it is to win in today’s NFL despite having an elite quarterback and superstar receivers. Bengals fans and NFL followers should watch closely to see if Cincinnati can build a stronger supporting cast, as the team’s future success could influence how franchises balance high-powered offenses with defensive investments.
