The NFL season is full of surprises, but few teams have defied expectations like the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite being touted as a Super Bowl contender, they’ve stumbled out of the gate with a dismal 0-3 record. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings, predicted to be one of the worst teams in the league, are flying high with a 3-0 start.
It’s hard to fathom that anyone would have bet on the Vikings to start the season stronger than the Bengals. Yet, here we are. The Bengals seem determined to ruin everyone’s survivor league, and they’re doing a mighty fine job of it. Despite Joe Burrow’s solid performance, the team has managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in two home games against lesser opponents.
While it’s tempting to write off the Bengals’ season, the odds suggest otherwise. They’re listed at +115 to make the playoffs, and history shows that teams can still turn their season around. Of course, the numbers aren’t exactly in their favor – only six teams have made the playoffs after starting 0-3 since the merger. But the Bengals don’t fit the mold of those struggling teams, with Burrow, Tee Higgins, and Ja’Marr Chase leading the charge.
The defense, however, needs to step up its game. If they can improve from atrocious to merely bad, the Bengals might just find themselves back in the hunt. Upcoming games against the Panthers, Giants, and Browns offer a glimmer of hope, and a 3-4 record seems achievable.
While making the playoffs would be a consolation prize for fans who saw the Bengals reach the Super Bowl recently, it’s clear that this team has the potential to do more. The real challenge lies in finding a way to overcome their defensive shortcomings and get back to their winning ways. If they can harness the magic of their Week 2 performance against the Chiefs, rather than the disappointments of Weeks 1 and 3, they might just defy the odds and make a deep playoff run.
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