Cincinnati Bengals: Two weeks of preseason shows how strong AFC North could be

Halfway through the 2019 exhibition season, the AFC North looks to be an absolute gauntlet. For the Cincinnati Bengals, questions abound as they get ready for the New York Giants.

If two weeks of preseason football is any indication, the AFC North will be tough sledding in 2019. The Cincinnati Bengals are the only team to have a loss, taking a 1-1 record into Week 3 of the exhibition season. While this likely means little comes September, it could also be the first sign that the division will be one to be reckoned with.

The Cleveland Browns, Pittdburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens are all 2-0. Baker Mayfield, Ben Roethlisberger, and Lamar Jackson look to be positioned for another solid season, with Mayfield and the Browns a trendy pick in 2019.

As for Cincinnati, Zac Taylor is still evaluating what he has. While the win at Washington may have produced a backup quarterback, questions along the offensive line persist. With A.J. Green slated to miss regular-season games, backup receivers remain under a microscope. Injuries to John Ross don’t help, as the one time first-round pick seems absolutely snake bit and won’t see any action this exhibition season.

Bengals fans can count on veteran quarterback Andy Dalton to continue to evolve in a new offensive system. He’s a lock for 2019, so long as Cincinnati wins. But in a season where everything is on the table, taking anything for granted would be a mistake.