Bengals Player Power Rankings: Joe Burrow Leads The Way As Injuries Impact Top 10

Cincinnati has won six-straight games.

Author:
Blake Jewell
Publish date:
Dec 22, 2022 7:43 AM EST

In this story:

The Bengals beat the Buccaneers after trailing 17-0 in the first half, bringing their record 10-4 and putting them in a good position to win the AFC North.

Here are our Bengals player power rankings for Week 16:

1. Joe Burrow (Last Week: 1)

Dec 18, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) drops bay to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports — Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Despite Burrow having a sort of off night against the Buccaneers, he still ended the game with four touchdowns and made the throws required to win the game. The Bengals' offense hasn’t been playing completely up to their standards lately, but hopefully for them they get a little healthier in the coming weeks and get back to normal.

2. Ja’Marr Chase (Last Week: 2)

Dec 18, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) holds off Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III (24) in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports — Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the Bengals' offense being in a bit of a slump, it’s clear how much of a difference Chase makes when he’s on the field. The Bengals have been struggling with injuries, but when they get healthier I expect Chase to put up big numbers every week. Despite missing four games, he is right behind Tee Higgins in yardage (881) and leads the team in receptions (71) and touchdowns (8) this season.

3. DJ Reader (Last Week: 3)

Dec 18, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) celebrates after he recovered the fumble against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports — Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Getting Reader back has given a boost to this Bengals defense the past few weeks. He’s a game changer, and a big reason why their defense has been performing so well as of late. He’s one of the best interior defensive lineman in the league and he’s extremely valuable to this team.

4. Trey Hendrickson (Last Week: 4)

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91), center, celebrates a sack with Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94), left, and Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III (30), right, in the third quarter during a Week 11 NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Cincinnati Bengals won, 37-30. Nfl Cincinnati Bengals At Pittsburgh Steelers Nov 20 0095 — © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The star defensive end has a broken wrist that held him out of Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay. It was very clear how important Hendrickson is to the Bengals on Sunday, as they were struggling to get pressure the entire game. On the bright side for the Bengals, it seems like he could return this week against the Patriots.

5. Germaine Pratt (Last Week: 5)

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) walks between stations during training camp practice at the Paycor Stadium practice facility in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. Bengals Training Camp — © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Pratt is likely earning a large contract this offseason due to his stellar play. He’s been on a complete hot streak lately, and grabbed an interception from Tom Brady that helped the Bengals win the game late. He’s currently second on the team in tackles, third in interceptions and second in forced fumbles.

6. Tee Higgins (Last Week: 6)

Dec 4, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) celebrates a first down reception in the fourth quarter of a Week 13 NFL game at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit:Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports — © Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports

Tee Higgins is currently the Bengals leading receiver with 894 yards. Ja’Marr Chase gets most of the attention, but this season Higgins has proved to not only be one of the best WR2s in the NFL, but a top 10-15 receiver period.

7. Logan Wilson (Last Week: 9)

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) walks for the locker room after the second quarter of the NFL Week 4 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins at PayCor Stadium in downtown on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The Bengals 14-12 at halftime. Miami Dolphins At Cincinnati Bengals Week 4 — © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Bengals linebacker leads the team in tackles on the season, and has been a reliable player both in stopping the run and defending the pass. Wilson and Pratt make up what could be the best linebacker duo in the NFL this season.

8. Eli Apple (Last Week: 10)

Aug 12, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple (20) walks off the field after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports — Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals corner has once against stepped up. He’s been outstanding since Chidobe Awuzie went down, and there’s really no signs of him letting up. The Bengals' secondary is banged up, so they need him to have big games for the remainder of the season.

9. Sam Hubbard (Last Week: 7)

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) pumps up the crowd in the first quarter of the NFL Week 4 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins at PayCor Stadium in downtown on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The Bengals 14-12 at halftime. Miami Dolphins At Cincinnati Bengals Week 4 — © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Hubbard left the game against Tampa early on with a calf injury that’s expected to sideline him for a few weeks. He's having a career season, which includes a team-leading 6.5 sacks. He's also been great against the run.