Why the Cincinnati Bengals are legitimate contenders for the AFC title

The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2021 season was an adventurous journey as they worked their way through one of the toughest schedules to finish on top of the division and then, with three incredible performances, reach the Super Bowl.

Can the Bengals win the AFC and Super Bowl?

Though the Bengals lost to the Rams on the biggest Sunday of the year, seeing the Cincinnati team contend for the Vince Lombardi Trophy a couple of years earlier than was expected by multiple analysts, it widens the window to win its first NFL title.

Zac Taylor's team is full of young talent and now with postseason experience, it positions them as legitimate contenders to repeat a stay in the biggest week of the year.

NFL Top 100: who are the best players of 2022?

The Burrow effect

Joe Burrow is a future league superstar who is backed by dangerous, fast-paced wide receivers who are guarded with a beefed-up offensive line and one of the most athletic and opportunistic defensive units in the NFL.

In his last five games last year, Burrow completed 72.3 percent of his passes averaging 355 yards per game and 12 touchdown passes.

To belong at the same table as Tom Brady, Aaaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen as the best quarterbacks, Burrow must reduce interceptions. In 2021 he finished with 14, one of the most. Burrow suffered 51 sacks during the regular season and 19 more in four playoff games. That’s why the Bengals went to work in a hurry, signing two proven interior linemen, guard Alex Cappa and center Ted Karras.

Chase, Higgins, Hendrickson...

Ja’Marr Chase is coming off one of the best seasons by a rookie receiver in NFL history after amassing 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns.

At wide receiver two, the Bengals have Tee Higgins, who could very well be a first receiver on many teams in the league. He surpassed a thousand yards and had six touchdowns.

Cincinnati spent heavily on defensive end Trey Hendrickson in free agency after seeing Carl Lawson go to the Jets. Hendrickson had 14 sacks to establish himself as one of the most dangerous headhunters in the NFL.

The Bengals have many reasons to be a better team than in 2021. Their offensive men have matured and the team is clear about its goals for which it must work forward and keep the window open to win the first Super Bowl in franchise history.

Cincinnati Bengals

Record in 2021: 10-7

Stadium: Paycor Stadium

Super Bowl Titles: 0

Head coach: Zac Taylor

Offensive Coordinator: Brian Callahan

Defensive Coordinator: Lou Anarumo

2022 calendar