[jwplayer NbHm3jlP]
The Cincinnati Bengals have had one of the better-reviewed offseasons of any team in the NFL.
Yet those Bengals have a tall task in front of them when it comes to rebounding from a 2-14 season with a rookie passer under center. This upcoming season could very much be a transitional year as the team grows together while bumping the win total and further building things to Zac Taylor’s liking.
But elsewhere in the AFC North, it seems like a groundswell of hype is once again building for the Cleveland Browns.
This has been apparent on social media:
Team has a lot to prove, but does any QB in the league have a more talented huddle than Baker Mayfield? pic.twitter.com/XhO4dlRfAw
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) May 5, 2020
Countless other examples exist, but it’s worth pointing out the Browns don’t have totally terrible Super Bowl odds at 40-1 with a win total over/under of 8.5. For context, the Bengals sit at 100-1 with a win total over/under set at five.
This, oddly enough, after the Browns only won six games last year while splitting the season series with the two-win Bengals. Cleveland hasn’t even won eight games in a season since 2007 and has only won more than eight games twice since re-entering the league in 1999.
That might read a little harsh, of course. Cleveland had a good offseason, adding Jack Conklin to the line in free agency and Jedrick Wills to the same unit in the top 10.
But from a Bengals perspective, it’s obvious another offseason of Browns on-paper hype is en route in the AFC North.
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