Way back in June, NFL Network’s Adam Rank predicted the Cincinnati Bengals would go 3-13.
Rank said the Bengals would start 0-11, beat the New York Jets, then win two of four to close the season.
If that sounds famialir…that’s because it is exactly how the season has unfolded so far.
When we covered the predictions at the time, it seemed unlikely — the Bengals could beat teams like Cleveland and Arizona, right?
The answer is no. Most couldn’t predict the Bengals would lose so many players to injuries or foresee the severe growing pains for this coaching staff to the point they stumbled to the worst start in franchise history.
But Rank was there from the beginning and right on the money:
Granted, Rank also suggested the 11-win 49ers would only win three games, but hey.
If we stick with Rank’s predictions the rest of the way, the Bengals will drop a game against the Patriots over the weekend before picking up wins over the Dolphins and Browns.
For Bengals fans the focus isn’t so much about whether Rank was right — it’s if the predicted three wins would dash the chances at the top overall pick.
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