Saturday, February 19, 2022

Cincinnati Bengals Post-Super Bowl 56 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2022 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: 3 (3rd)
  • Best ranking: 2 (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 5 (ESPN)

Below you will find a Post-Super Bowl LVI roundup for the Bengals in our consensus 2022 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 5

Offseason in three or fewer words: Protect Joe Burrow

Once again, the Bengals ranked near the bottom of the league in pass block win rate. Cincinnati was 30th in 2021, a lack of quality that became apparent when the Bengals entered the postseason and Burrow was most notably sacked nine times in the divisional win over Tennessee. Cincinnati must figure out what to do at right guard and right tackle. Will Jackson Carman finally secure the starting spot that slipped out of his grasp at the beginning of the 2021 season? Will Cincinnati look to re-sign veteran Riley Reiff after a one-year deal? Whatever the answers are, the Bengals need to find the right ones. -- Ben Baby

NFL.com -- Rank: 4

The fairy tale had a sour ending, but Bengals fans will look back fondly on an underdog team that rose from the ashes to nearly win a Super Bowl. The offseason directive is more clear here than anywhere else in the league: Protect the quarterback. Joe Burrow was sacked 19 times in the playoffs, easily setting an ignominious NFL record. Solutions need to be found at guard and tackle -- don't be surprised when Cincy ends up using its first-round pick and much of its available cap space on the big guys in front of Joey Franchise.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 2

It's so obvious that their weakness on the offensive line has to be addressed. Joe Burrow won't last playing the way he did this season.

USA Today -- Rank: 2

If Rams were a blockbuster, Cincinnati was an unexpected indie film breakthrough -- but one with a great shot to become a lasting franchise.

The Athletic -- Rank: 2

The Bengals were 27th (!) in our first edition of the 2021 power rankings, voted on in late July as training camps opened. We grossly underestimated many things, like how well Joe Burrow would recover from his 2020 knee injury, and the impact of rookie receiver Ja'Marr Chase and free-agent additions Trey Hendrickson and Chidobe Awuzie. The Bengals' future is bright, and while their fans are certainly disappointed about the Super Bowl loss, Cincinnati's rapid rise was one of the defining stories of this season.

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