Boomer Esiason: Bengals Are a Playoff Threat

Nov 16, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; French flag on the video screen during a moment of silence for Paris terrorist attack victims before the NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

According to Boomer Esiason, a former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback and current Sports Illustrated analyst, the Bengals are a threat to be reckoned with in the playoffs.

Boomer Esiason, one of the top two quarterbacks in Cincinnati Bengals history and an NFL analyst for Sports Illustrated, recently posted a video calling the Bengals a playoff threat. The Bengals, who have lost two straight games by a combined seven points, are still in control of their postseason future. Here is what Boomer had to say:

Boomer is no stranger to the playoffs, especially with the Bengals, leading them to the 1988 AFC Championship title and to Super Bowl  XXIII. If there is anybody who knows what it takes and can spot potential, it is Esiason. He has the confidence in the Bengals to get back on track and run deep into the season with little issue. He did say he expects them to go 13-3 or 14-2.

Boomer however isn’t worried about Dalton, in fact he spoke of the confidence he had in Dalton.

"Andy Dalton showed that he can play and go toe to toe with a top end quarterback, like Carson Palmer"

The Bengals’ season is still far from over, and with a relatively easy schedule over the course of the season, Andy Dalton and company could have a chance to lock up a first-round playoff bye.

Next: Cincinnati Bengals: 1988 and Now

Cincinnati’s upcoming opponents have a combined record of 26-34, and only three of the Bengals’ upcoming opponents could end up starting their respective Week 1 starters.

In all likeliness, the Cincinnati Bengals will make the playoffs, and hoping for a first-round bye isn’t wishful thinking at this point of the season. Esiason is right; the Bengals are a force to be reckoned with. If anything, Sunday night’s loss to the Cardinals showed Bengals fans that Cincinnati can compete on the road against Super Bowl contenders. Bengals teams of the past would’ve folded on Sunday night, so this team looks like it could be the best Bengals group of the Dalton era.