NFL Power Rankings: Where Do The Bengals Stack Up?
Sep 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) reacts after recording a sack against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Everyone who has an interest in the NFL has an opinion on where their favorite team stacks up against others in the league. It is no different here at Stripe Hype, but we thought we would help you find where the Bengals stacked up in each ranking all in one place. Here is a breakdown of each power ranking the Bengals received in week one.
"I’m going to catch some flak for ranking Cincinnati this high, but look at the teams the Bengals are surrounded by. It’s not completely unfair to have them this high after just one week; after all, they were the top team in several analysts’ Power Rankings after a quick three-game winning streak at the beginning of the 2014 season. Tyler Eifert (nine catches, 104 yards, two touchdowns) is the X-factor that will help the Bengals’ offensebecome one of the league’s best, and the Bengals defense looks much improved after a terrible 2014 showing. And let’s not forget about the Red Rifle; Andy Dalton had a huge day on Sunday with 269 passing yards and two touchdowns."
FanSided Staff Power Rankings: 5
"The Cincinnati Bengals got their 2015 regular season started in maybe the best way possible, going out and just pasting the Oakland Raiders, 33-13. For a team that’s expected to contend once again in the AFC North, this was about as good of a start as they could have asked for, even though it was against the Raiders."
"Little to not like about the Bengals’ blowout win in Oakland. The offense averaged 6.1 yards per play while the defense held the Raiders to a mere 4.0 yards per play. That’s a sizeable differential when averaged over 126 plays in an NFL game. That said, no one gets excited over Cincinnati winning in the regular season anymore, and that’s just the way it is. Not unless Andy Dalton plays lights out."
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com: 5
"The Raiders aren’t a great team, but the way they dominated in that game was impressive. The defense might be special."
ESPN.com Staff Power Rankings: 8
"The emergence of Tyler Eifert adds just another weapon for Andy Dalton. Dalton passed for more than 100 yards when targeting tight ends Sunday for only the fourth time in his career."
"Bengals outgained Oakland by 150 yards and led 33–0 through three quarters. Perhaps I started shoveling the dirt on Cincinnati too soon."
The Bengals know all to well what happened last year when they reached the top. They fell off the mountain and tumbled pretty far, but since then, media members have been skeptical, outside of Pete Prisco to push the Bengals to high. I am not a big fan of Peter King due to his harshness against the Bengals, but at least he admitted that the grave he started to dig was unfair, for now. Can the Bengals continue to gain in the power rankings or are we looking at smoke and mirrors against a unspectacular team?