Depending on who you ask, the Cincinnati Bengals are either a solid playoff team or a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Or at least that's the implication to derive from the latest batch of Week 8 NFL power rankings across many major sports sites.
Zac Taylor might've saved his job in the second half of Week 7 when he quite simply just let Joe Burrow cook the Baltimore Ravens for five straight touchdown drives in a 35-13 romp.
It's quite surprising that there's such a variance in the perception of the Bengals in the latest league-wide hierarchies published this week.
Bengals emerge as a consensus clear playoff team, even if some outlets are slow to credit them any further
- NFL.com: 5th (up from 6th)
- Yahoo Sports: 6th (up from 10th)
- CBS Sports: 5th (up from 6th)
- ESPN: 9th (up from 13th)
- Bleacher Report: 10th (up from 14th)
Analysis of the week goes to ESPN's Ben Baby, which was the case in Week 6 as well. This time Baby focuses on Dexter Lawrence's impact on the defense:
"Whether it has been his ability to be an elite run defender, command double-teams to free up others in one-on-one situations or win as a pass rusher, Lawrence has been effective in every area. According to ESPN Research, he ranks fourth in pressure rate among defensive tackles (10%). He's also tied for first among DTs with four sacks."
I think it's hilarious how so many people who speak on TV and get paid handsomely to do so were trying to say the Bengals overpaid for Sexy Dexy in any way shape or form. This actually did happen and I swear it's true.
Now Stephen A. Smith of all people is out here saying the Bengals are contenders! Who would've thought!? NOT ME!
"This is a team that could ... represent the AFC in the Super Bowl."@stephenasmith is high on Joe Burrow and the Bengals 📈 pic.twitter.com/Rl4qxovwGt
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 27, 2026
I'm actually a little worried because Stephen A. does not know ball. He knows hoops. Not football. I mean I haven't checked in multiple years to see if he's improved but I would assume his compensation and "debate style" don't bode particularly well re: that pie-in-the-sky initiative.
Because goodness forbid dudes actually do research before they open their mouths about my team on national TV!
Cincinnati's average standing in latest NFL power rankings not reflective of reality
In light of the Jeffery Simmons trade to Chicago, the Tennessee Titans pretty much have zero chance to get a win in Cincinnati on Sunday. That scares me a little bit as a Bengals fan, but I just don't think Joe Burrow, Dexter Lawrence and Co. are going to let Cincinnati suffer a letdown after that admittedly massive victory at Baltimore.
As long as the Bengals blow the doors off the Titans in Week 8, they should earn their due respect and not be flirting with ninth or 10th place in power rankings any longer.
Just think about it this way: The Bengals are two ghastly special teams gaffes against the Steelers and one horrible route adjustment by Mitchell Tinsley in the red zone versus Jacksonville from being a perfect 6-0. All their other games haven't really been competitive by the end.
Anyone seen how the Jags and Steelers are doing? Pittsburgh is tied for the AFC North lead at 5-2. Jacksonville is 4-2 after barely losing to a desperate Texans team 34-31 in London.
So where should the Bengals be ranked?
Is No. 1 too high? I don't think so! Honestly. If you put this team on a neutral field against the Vikings, Bills, 49ers, or Chiefs, I love Cincinnati's chances. Those are the teams i saw most consistently ahead of the Bengals.
If anyone can outwit Minnesota's relentlessly blitzing defense, it's Joe Burrow. If anyone can outduel Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes — and he has on multiple occasions, including in their own stadiums in the playoffs — it's Joe Burrow. Those Chiefs and Bills rosters top to bottom aren't as good as the Bengals right now.
The teams I'm worried about among those ahead of Cincinnati in multiple polls are the Bears and Seahawks. Simmons totally changes Chicago's defense, and granted, these power rankings came out before that blockbuster trade. But with Simmons and that Ben Johnson offense, the Bears are seriously formidable.
And although I believe Sam Darnold is still a bit of a gunslinger in a bad way, he's about to get his top two running backs back soon in Jadarian Price and Zach Charbonnet. Those two and Emmanuel Wilson give Seattle a legit trio in the backfield, which combined with Mike Macdonald's defense, should have the Seahawks faithful dreaming of a Super Bowl repeat.
Final verdict on Bengals' ranking: I'll go with a conservative No. 3.
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