Sports betting analyst makes bold prediction about the Bengals' 2025 season before any of their offseason problems have been solved
The last time the Kansas City Chiefs lost a Super Bowl, it was the Cincinnati Bengals that represented the AFC the following year. The Queen City would love nothing more than for history to repeat itself.Only this time, the Lombardi Trophy comes home with the team. The last time a team won the Super Bowl […]
The last time the Kansas City Chiefs lost a Super Bowl, it was the Cincinnati Bengals that represented the AFC the following year. The Queen City would love nothing more than for history to repeat itself.
Only this time, the Lombardi Trophy comes home with the team.
The last time a team won the Super Bowl a year after missing the playoffs happened four years ago when Tom Brady elevated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the promise land in his first year with the franchise. The previous occurrence happened four years prior to that when the Philadelphia Eagles finally broke through and won it all against Brady's New England Patriots.
Could the Bengals join this list after just missing the cut at 9-8 this past year? One ESPN analyst seems to have faith.
ESPN betting analyst boldly predicts the Bengals to win Super Bowl LX
Next year's big game isn't for another 359 days, but ESPN asked some of its prominent football talents to predict which teams will play for and win the 60th Super Bowl next February.
Sports betting analyst Pamela Maldonado called her shot for the Bengals to defeat the Washington Commanders:
"Bengals over Commanders. Bold predictions are not for the weak. The Bengals are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2024 season, and the Commanders are an intriguing long shot after making the NFC Championship Game. With significant cap space, both teams could make impactful moves to bolster their rosters and make the big game." – ESPN sports betting analyst Pamela Maldonado
Maldonado was also one of three for ESPN to name Joe Burrow as their early pick for MVP next season along with film analyst Matt Bowen and insider Jeremy Fowler. Burrow, who was named Comeback Player of the Year last week, finished fourth in MVP voting this past season despite Cincinnati missing the playoffs. A return to postseason action next season would certainly increase his odds to actually win the award.
As for winning it all, it is a bit surprising to see anyone put their name on a ticket for Cincinnati at this juncture. Sure, Burrow is great enough to lead the Bengals back to the playoffs, but so much uncertainty surrounds him.
Burrow has been making it a point of emphasis for Cincinnati to pay star players Ja'Marr Chase, Trey Hendrickson, Tee Higgins, and even Mike Gesicki. Whether or not those deals materialize in a timely manner may greatly impact how the team starts next season. Hendrickson and Higgins may also be traded if the situations come to that, which would force everyone to reevaluate the roster as a whole.
Outside of rewarding their own players, the Bengals need to add a bunch more from other teams in free agency. The defense was a mess even with Hendrickson playing like a Defensive Player of the Year finalist. New defensive coordinator Al Golden should make a notable impact, but more talent is absolutely needed on that side of the ball.
These variables are very real, but so is the confidence Burrow permeates with his play. When he's on his game, there isn't a situation the Bengals can't overcome. That continues to factor in how the public perceives his team.
Bengals’ worst loss of the 2024 season looks a little better following a lopsided Super Bowl LIX outcome
Cincinnati ran into the kings before the kings were crowned.
