Cincinnati Bengals: Week Six Power Rankings Roundup
Oct 11, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) carries the ball in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
The Cincinnati Bengals pulled out another win to improve to 5-0, something they haven’t been since 1988 when they went to the super bowl. Now the Bengals must have improved in the power rankings after taking down the defending NFC Champions, right? Here is our week six power rankings round up.
Connor Howe of Stripe Hype: #3
"Cincinnati’s comeback from a 17-point deficit against a team that has played in the past two Super Bowls should say enough about this team for people to understand that this team is legit. If that’s still not convincing enough, check this out: Andy Dalton is second among all quarterbacks in both yards and yards-per-attempt and he’s third in both touchdowns and passer rating. Dalton has only thrown two interceptions on the season, and he’s rushed for just as many touchdowns as he’s thrown interceptions. Andy Dalton is a top-10 quarterback. Throw in Tyler Eifert and a vastly improved defense and these Bengals could be competing for a first-round bye."
"Make no mistake about it: A Cincinnati team down 24-7 to Seattle at the start of the fourth quarter last year would not have won the game. This Bengals edition did."
ESPN.com’s Staff Power Rankings: #5
"The Bengals are 5-0 for the third time in franchise history. The last time they started 5-0 (1988), they made the Super Bowl."
FanSided.com’s Staff Power Rankings: #3
"It sounds cliche, but Sunday’s win over Seattle is just the kind of victory that will prove its worth in the playoffs for Cincinnati. The Bengals could go 16-0 this regular season and will still only be judged on if they can win a postseason contest. Coming back from a 17-point, fourth quarter deficit shows that the Bengals have plenty of moxie. They’ve pulled out some close games this season, and have the confidence that they’re never out of any contest. Slamming the door on a Seahawks team that was brimming with confidence was a huge step forward. They may have given up big plays and needed a little help from the science gods to take it, but a win’s a win."
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com: #3
"Their comeback against the Seahawks was a statement game of sorts. Andy Dalton is rolling."
Elliot Harrison of NFL.com: #3
"Wow. What a response in the second half from the Bengals, down 24-7, to climb back into that football game.Andy Dalton is deserving of the rose petals suddenly being thrown at his feet, much like King Joffer, but don’t forget the defense, which got after Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter and overtime. Stopping the run — Seattle finished with 200 yards on the ground — is another matter, but let’s not spoil a 5-0 start."
I see a trend here. ESPN fails to give the Bengals the legitimate respect they do. Don’t worry they were the only ones disrespecting a tough nosed football team. Andrew Perloff of SI.com wasn’t impressed either (see video below), but nonetheless the Bengals are in the top three in a number of Power Rankings and if they can continue to find way to win, they will make their own argument as the top team in the NFL.