False Narrative Around Cincinnati

There has been an interesting narrative created by members of the media leading up to the draft that the Cincinnati Bengals are the worst franchise in the NFL. To which I respond with a simple, “huh?”. Where is this fact-less story coming from? Yes, the Cincinnati Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since 1991. But it’s not for a lack of trying or a lack of talent. There has been a significant amount of bad luck involved. (Yes I know bad-luck isn’t a tangible thing). But let’s gloss over some of the unlucky scenarios the Bengals have found themselves wrapped in. 

Travel Back

Join me as we journey back to 2005, the Bengals are sitting at 11-5 and First place in the AFC North. Carson Palmer is having a career year; leading the team with 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The running game was also in full effect in 2005 behind the bell-cow running back Rudi Johnson, who ran for 1,458 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Bengals have matched up with division rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Game. Almost immediately into the game, disaster strikes; Star Quarterback Carson Palmer has his knee brutally twisted by Steelers Defensive Tackle Kimo Von Oelhoffen and is ruled out for the game. The Bengals try to hold on with backup Jon Kitna but inevitably fall short and lose. 

Another Heartbreak in Cincinnati

Now we travel to 2015, The Cincinnati Bengals finish the regular season at 12-4, THAT’S RIGHT, 12-4. The team is without Quarterback Andy Dalton and is led by a young but talented A.J McCarron. Once again facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs, the Bengals fall down 15-0 early in the game. All hope is seemingly lost for Bengals fans. The Who-Dey’s roar back and take a 16-15 lead late in the fourth quarter. And the rest of the story, well, the rest is history. The Bengals have a costly fumble by Jeremy Hill and proceed to follow that up with a ridiculous personal foul call. Setting up Chris Boswell and the Steelers for a game-winning field goal and yet another heartbreaking loss. 

Numbers Don’t Lie

Now we are going to go through some facts, the Bengals record since 2011 is 73-69. The Miami Dolphins record since 2011 is 63-81. The Washington Redskins record in that time period is 56-87. Explain to me how those Bengals teams are the “joke of the NFL”. May I also remind you that the Bengals went to the playoffs five consecutive seasons in that time frame as well.

Conclusion For Cincinnati

The Bengals will be taking Joe Burrow in the NFL Draft. Joe Burrow will have zero complaints and will be loved in this city. And the Bengals will thrive with him under center as long as they throw a few extra pieces around him. This will lead to repeated regular-season success that we saw in the best Andy Dalton years but hopefully, this time around Burrow will get the team over that hump and into the Super Bowl. The future is bright for this young man and this young team. 

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