3 bold predictions for Cincinnati Bengals playoff run

Bengals announce their arrival as a powerhouse

I write this with great trepidation, because like a scorned lover, I’ve been hurt before. This organization has disappointed me more than I care to remember, yet year after year I, like many fans come back for more.

So why is this year different? Why should I trust again? Joe Burrow? Ja’Marr Chase? Joe Mixon? Tee Higgins?

You had me at Joe Burrow.

Some might say the Bengals HAVE arrived as a powerhouse. After sweeping the hated Ravens and Steelers, and claiming the division in a season they were only supposed to win maybe six games, perhaps the Bengals deserve to be called a powerhouse.

Hold your proverbial horses.

The Bengals struggled at times this season against the lowliest of opponents. Does anyone remember the Bear and Jet games? I prefer not to, to be honest, but the fact remains that this team has a history in 2021 of playing down to their opponents.

This is funny to me because for too many years we were the opponent being played down to. No more.

As evidenced by the Green Bay game, the first Raven game, and the Kansas City game, this team can punch with anyone when they are right.

The question remains, are they right? Are they right now? My feeling is yes, they are.

This 2021-22 postseason will be the official unveiling of the Bengals as an AFC powerhouse for the foreseeable future.