The Cincinnati Bengals did not earn any style points in their Week 8 overtime win over the 1-7 Tennessee Titans. Well actually, they kind of did!
Some fans didn't like that I framed Jonathan Allen's recent comments about the Bengals' inability to play a complete game as 100% optimistic that they will in the coming weeks. Nor that I framed it as Allen calling out a problem that's plagued Zac Taylor throughout his tenure.
In a strange way that's what made Cincinnati's 43-36 triumph over Tennessee all the more impressive. Joe Burrow threw three INTs. The Bengals had four turnovers. Their defense got gashed by Tony Pollard and Cam Freaking Ward time and time again.
But when the chips were down and it mattered most, Burrow and Co. overcame it all. Joe Shiesty accounted for six TDs. Anyone else see an MVP contender? Because I do!
Anyway, saying all that to say, the latest batch of NFL power rankings from prominent media outlets were none too kind to dem 5-2 Bengals.
Bengals take a tumble in most rankings despite Week 8 win over Titans
- NFL.com: 8th (down from 5th)
- The Athletic: 10th (no change)
- CBS Sports: 8th (down from 5th)
- ESPN: 10th (down from 9th)
- Bleacher Report: 10th (no change)
May I just share what core Stripe Hype contributor Glenn Adams had to say about how the Bengals are framed by the national media so often? Because it couldn't be more spot-on.
EVERYONE feels worse about the Cincinnati Bengals? They can't even win correctly for the national media. Any other team, it's, "this is what good teams do. Imperfect games in the NFL are inevitable. Good teams & clutch players like Burrow & Lawrence come through in the end." https://t.co/v17j3CHyBc
— Who Dey Lounge avec Glenn Adams🍹🏈🍻 (@cincy2france) November 3, 2026
Sums basically everything up. The Bengals have a perception problem and the good news is, Joe Burrow and Dexter Lawrence are going a long way toward correcting that.
But Lawrence can only do so much on his own. Although he is the force multiplier Cincinnati hoped they were adding to the defense, the rest of the unit beyond the d-line must pick up the slack. Because some of the numbers just aren't good enough.
Probably the best analysis from this batch of rankings re: the case against the Bengals being among the NFL's true elite comes from The Athletic's Josh Kendall and Chad Graff:
"Reality check: The slow starts are going to bite them. The Bengals have made strides on defense, but they are 29th in the league in yards allowed in the first half (1,455) this year. They are minus-19 in point differential in the first quarter, which also ranks 29th."
Again, not a good look for Zac Taylor on these fronts.
Where the Bengals should be ranked entering Madrid game vs. Falcons
I had them no worse than No. 3 last week and to be honest, I more or less called them having a colossal letdown. Thankfully the final result was what the Bengals wanted. It's more fun to learn from a win than a loss.
Between the huge road win in the division at Baltimore, the three games after the Titans were a trip to Madrid to face the Falcons, followed by prime-time showdowns with the Steelers and Commanders on the standalone Sunday night and Monday night stages respectively.
Like of course the Bengals were looking ahead a little bit, especially after the Titans traded Jeffery Simmons to Chicago. How could they not?
And to overcome all the mistakes, the trap game, and the adversity is the mark of a good team.
So I'm not wavering much. I'm sticking to a top-three ranking behind only maybe the Bears and Bills, because their ability to run the ball could give Cincinnati real fits.
If you put the Bengals on a neutral field right now against anyone though — heck, put them on the road — I'm confident they can beat anyone, any day, any time. Because Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and yes, Dexter Lawrence, always give you a puncher's chance.
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