Where the Bengals land in ESPN's post Super Bowl power rankings

The NFL season just ended on Sunday night, but ESPN and other national analysts are already looking ahead to the 2023 season. In fact, ESPN immediately released their 2023 NFL power rankings after the completion of Super Bowl LVII. And they think the Cincinnati Bengals will once again be one of the top teams in […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Bengals

The NFL season just ended on Sunday night, but ESPN and other national analysts are already looking ahead to the 2023 season.

In fact, ESPN immediately released their 2023 NFL power rankings after the completion of Super Bowl LVII.

And they think the Cincinnati Bengals will once again be one of the top teams in the league.

ESPN has the Bengals at No. 4 in their post-Super Bowl power rankings.

From ESPN:

Burrow, the top overall draft pick in 2020, will be eligible for a contract extension this offseason. Once Cincinnati locks in Burrow for the foreseeable future, the Bengals will get a better sense of what their salary-cap situation will look like for the next few years. That will impact the other decisions that need to be made, such as whether Cincinnati can afford to give receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins top-of-market deals or whether the pass protection deserves another look this offseason.

Jan 29, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) makes a catch as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (23) defends during the second quarter of the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) makes a catch as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (23) defends during the second quarter of the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN has the San Francisco 49ers at No.3, the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 2 and the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 1.

I don't think there's any argument with the Chiefs and the Eagles in the top two. They were the No. 1 seeds this past season and they both reached the Super Bowl (and played a close game, with Kansas City winning 38-35). They're deserving.

The issue here is with the 49ers at No. 3. Sure, they're one of the best teams in the league. But they don't have a quarterback like Joe Burrow. In fact, we don't even know their plan at quarterback next season.

I know Burrow and the Bengals came up short this season, but I don't see how you bet on Trey Lance or whoever starts at quarterback next season for the 49ers over Burrow.

It's still early and we have a full offseason to debate various rankings, but this first installment of power rankings from ESPN feels a little suspect.

Featured image via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Related Articles