NFL Analysts Question Bengals' Chances of Getting Back to Playoffs This Season
CINCINNATI — The Bengals are the defending AFC Champions, but that doesn't mean everyone's expecting them to make the playoffs this season.
Rodger Sherman and Steven Ruiz both believe Cincinnati will miss the postseason in 2022.
"The Bengals won't make the playoffs," Sherman said on The Ringer NFL Show. "Last year they had the fourth place schedule, they played the Jags and the Jets. They actually lost to the Jets, which is funny. This year of course they play the first place schedule. They'll play all the best teams in the AFC, as well as a division winner from the NFC, the Cowboys. And I think it's fair to say that every other team in the AFC North is going to be better this year than they were last year."
Cincinnati has eight matchups against playoff teams. Three of their five primetime games are on the road against their AFC North rivals.
"They also were lucky with injuries," Ruiz said. "They played a lot of injured teams, they weren't injured themselves. There's all these things pointing to the Bengals being a worse team based on luck, so even if they do marginally improve as the offensive line has gotten better, I think there's a chance that the results will be similar. They could be a way better team and still go 10-7."
The Bengals did significantly upgrade their offensive line. That should help Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the rest of the offense. Cincinnati isn't favored to win the AFC North, even though they won the division and the conference last season.
Listen to the entire podcast below.
Make sure you bookmark All Bengals for the latest free agency news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
You May Also Like:
Watch: Highlights From Bengals Rookie Minicamp
Three Thoughts on the Bengals' Regular Season Schedule
Watch: Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins Star in New Nike Commercial
Film Breakdown: Zachary Carter Brings Versatility to Bengals' Defense
Look: Tee Higgins Sheds Sling Following Offseason Surgery
Bengals Wide-Out Praises Rookie Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt
Underdogs Again: Bengals Not Favored in AFC North
Film Breakdown: Cam Taylor-Britt Brings Toughness to Bengals' Secondary
No Fluke: Bengals Out to Prove Doubters Wrong
NFL Scout Praises Bengals Cornerback Dax Hill
Mike Hilton: Jessie Bates is a "Cornerstone Piece" of Bengals' Franchise
Bengals Announce Jersey Numbers for 2022 Draft Class
Rob Gronkowski Praises Joe Burrow... Again
Film Breakdown: What Dax Hill Brings to Bengals' Defense
Get to Know All Six Bengals Draft Picks
Exclusive: Our One-on-One Sit Down With Dax Hill
Four Thoughts on the Bengals' Draft Haul
Bengals Add Plethora of Undrafted Free Agents
Instant Analysis: Bengals Trade Up for Toledo Safety Tycen Anderson
Instant Analysis: Bengals Take NDSU Offensive Lineman Cordell Volson
NFL Draft Analysis: Get to Know Florida Defensive Tackle Zachary Carter
Instant Analysis: Bengals Add Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt
Dax Hill Willing to Play Boundary Cornerback
Bengals Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Jonah Williams
Cornerback or Safety? Daxton Hill Wants To Be Both For Bengals
Column: The Bengals Got it Right With Daxton Hill at 31
Tee Higgins Underwent Offseason Surgery
Bengals Request to Build Temporary Practice Facility Near Paul Brown Stadium
Bengals Hire New Head Athletic Trainer
Bengals Offseason Workouts: Key Dates and Details
La'el Collins' Contract is Bargain for Bengals
Film Breakdown: Here's What La'el Collins Brings to the Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow Helped Seal the Deal With La'el Collins
Film Breakdown: Analyzing Ted Karras' Strengths and Weaknesses
Film Breakdown: Alex Cappa is Huge Upgrade in Trenches for Bengals
-----
Be sure to keep it locked on All Bengals all the time!
Subscribe to the All Bengals YouTube channel
Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals
