Thursday, October 28, 2021

Cincinnati Bengals Week 8 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Cincinnati Bengals rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 7.4 (7th)
  • Best ranking: 7th (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 8th (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 8 roundup for the Bengals in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 7

Prediction we missed: Preseason concerns with WR Ja'Marr Chase.

Remember when Chase's drops created some questions about how the fifth overall pick would fare as a rookie? Well, I'd like not to. Because any reservations about Chase's play in the offseason have been blasted to Neptune. Chase is putting up absurd numbers and, along with QB Joe Burrow, has transformed Cincinnati's offense into something incredibly potent. Chase is second in the NFL in receiving yards, trailing only the Rams' Cooper Kupp. He has eight receptions of 30 or more yards, the most in the NFL. He is on pace to break the Bengals' record for most receiving yards in a season (1,440 by Chad Johnson, 2007). Sheesh. -- Ben Baby

NFL.com -- Rank: 7

That right there was a Statement Win™. The Bengals rolled into Baltimore and sent thousands of once-confident Ravens fans at M&T Bank Stadium streaming to the exits by the fourth quarter of a 41-17 triumph that makes us reconsider everything in the AFC North. Cincinnati has moved into a tie with Baltimore atop the division. and none of this feels unsustainable, with Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase producing at historic levels together. From the NFL Research team: Chase (35/754/6) has the most receiving yards by any player through his first seven career games in NFL history. It's still not too late to delete your "They should have taken Penei Sewell!" takes on social media. Scrub away! Save your Smart Football Internet Person reputation!

CBS Sports -- Rank: 7

That victory over the Ravens should have them gaining confidence by the week. This is a young team that will only get better.

USA Today -- Rank: 8

All the chatter about Cincinnati's (current) No. 1 seed and rookie WR Ja'Marr Chase's record-setting start is warranted. But props to TE C.J. Uzomah, who's rebounded from last year's torn Achilles and has already hauled in a career-best five TDs.

The Athletic -- Rank: 8

Trick or treat: What's scary for the rest of the AFC? Ja'Marr Chase is just 21 and he's already playing like a top-five wide receiver. Joe Burrow is a star, too, and last week he guided the Bengals to a breakthrough win in Baltimore, traditionally one of the league's scariest places to play. Are the Bengals real AFC title contenders? We'll see, but they're burying demons -- and assumptions -- of their recent past and their underrated defense has been solid. They're 2-0 in the AFC North, with both wins coming on the road.

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