[jwplayer Ms1vBFZx]
Expectations seem all over the place for the 2020 Cincinnati Bengals.
Some see a rebuilding team that needs time to gel and potentially won’t get enough given the odd nature of this offseason. Others see an underrated team that played tough last year, overhauled the roster and has superb weapons around Joe Burrow.
An interesting angle to consider? Where the Bengals rank among worst-to-first candidates in 2020.
NFL.com’s Adam Schein brought it up and ranked the Bengals seventh out of eight:
“Joe Burrow has it. And with the Heisman Trophy winner at the helm, I think the Bengals are going to win some games you don’t expect them to. Burrow’s flanked by an enticing collection of skill players: wide receivers A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd and rookie Tee Higgins, as well as running back Joe Mixon. And Cincy finally spent some money in free agency, boosting the defense with DT D.J. Reader, CB Trae Waynes and S Vonn Bell.”
Schein also noted he could he could see six or seven wins — but not an AFC North title. And given the competitiveness of the division, that logic makes plenty of sense.
It’s still a little interesting to see the Bengals behind teams like Washington and Carolina on such a list but toughness of the division is indeed a big factor.
On paper, the Bengals getting to the seven-win mark or even cracking .500 would still be a major win for a franchise trying to recover from a coaching staff overhaul and two-win season. As long as they don’t have to be worst-to-first candidates again a year from now, things continue in the right direction.
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