Cincinnati Bengals possess the ingredients no other franchise has to continue an odd NFL trend
There are eight NFL teams who finish last in their respective divisions every year. Some of them stay at the bottom for years on end, and some make the leap from worst-to-first in a year's time. The Cincinnati Bengals made that leap from 2020 to 2021, and they're primed to do it again.With a record […]
There are eight NFL teams who finish last in their respective divisions every year. Some of them stay at the bottom for years on end, and some make the leap from worst-to-first in a year's time.
The Cincinnati Bengals made that leap from 2020 to 2021, and they're primed to do it again.
With a record of 9-8 in 2023, the Bengals became the first team to finish above .500 and last in their division. The reason why they can ascend to first place in 2024 is entirely too simple.
Cincinnati played without a healthy Joe Burrow for over half of last season. Burrow's nagging calf injury coupled with his season-ending wrist injury paved the way for struggles in both the beginning and end to the year.
Out of all the projected 2024 starting quarterbacks from every 2023 last place club, the only one who even sniffs Burrow is Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert, and he plays in the same division as the Kansas City Chiefs.
Having a top quarterback who doesn't have to first get past Patrick Mahomes gives the Bengals an edge no other 2023 last-place team has.
"The Bengals made history in 2023 by becoming the first team in the Super Bowl era to finish in last place in their division with a winning record. The Bengals accomplished this feat despite Joe Burrow missing the last seven games of the season due to a wrist injury. Jake Browning played well enough to keep the team afloat in his absence, but it wasn’t quite enough for a playoff berth. With a healthy Burrow, the Bengals should be right in the thick of things for the division title once again." – Pro Football Focus' Jim Wyman
The odds only favor one of eight teams to complete this turnaround every year, but the Bengals have the most important component to accomplish what that somehow happens virtually every year. According to Pro Football Network's Jay Morrison, a team has gone from last to first in its division in 19 of the last 21 years.
Parity is one of the NFL's strongest selling points as a product. Beyond the scope of Any Given Sunday in which underdogs can take down favorites, the salary cap, free agency, and the NFL Draft process gives every team a proper chance to get back on track the following season.
Having a quality roster is important, but having an elite player under center is more important.
The Bengals have one, and they'll be right back in the mix next season because of him.
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