StripeHype
FanSided

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

By Steve Rivera

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 27: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on from the line of scrimmage against the Washington Redskins in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 27, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 27: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on from the line of scrimmage against the Washington Redskins in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 27, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 08: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns during the first half of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 08: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns during the first half of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Every single day, or so it seems, the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Baker Mayfield are the target of an untrusting media. Mayfield, who is in the Monday through Friday crosshairs of a few would be GM’s masquerading as radio/TV sports gurus, faces the most scrutiny.

First, it’s fair. He hasn’t won anything. Second, he deserves some, but not all of the criticism simply because he answers every question. He is, for better or for worse, the face of a long time NFL failure in Cleveland.

That looks to be changing. The Browns look to have all the necessary components to win in 2019. Love Baker or hate him, he’s the goods. He’s charismatic, mouthy, uber-confident, and has the game to back it up. If OBJ can stay on the field for 16 games, Cleveland looks to be a team finally ready to challenge for a division crown.

Yes, halfway through the preseason isn’t a time for definitive predictions, but what is happening with the Browns isn’t a mirage. The Cincinnati Bengals will have their hands full competing with their home state rival. The Browns have all the swag and maybe, just maybe, the talent to back it up. I still think the Steelers will be better, but two weeks in, this team looks like the real deal.

Home/Bengals News