The Bengals opened the season at 1-0, and that was enough to get them climbing in the latest round of NFL power rankings - just not high enough to crash the top 10 across the board.
What’s helping their case is pretty clear: the defense showed real signs of improvement in the offseason’s first test. Cincinnati held Tampa Bay to 20 points and fewer than 300 yards, and the early returns have analysts treating the unit like something more than a weak link.
Yahoo! Sports slotted the Bengals at No. 12, up three spots, with Frank Schwab pointing to a defense that “looked better.” He noted that while Cincinnati still isn’t expected to be elite on that side of the ball, teams can survive with a strong offense and a defense that “takes chances and makes a few game-changing plays.”
NFL.com was even higher on Cincinnati, moving the Bengals to No. 4 after a three-spot jump. Nick Shook wrote that the offseason defensive investments “paid off in their first assignment against the Buccaneers,” highlighting four forced turnovers, including three Baker Mayfield fumbles, plus a defensive score. He added that the mix of aggressive defense and solid offensive production was a welcome change for a fan base used to leaning on scoring to cover up problems.
USA Today placed Cincinnati at No. 8, with Nate Davis focusing on the possibility of the Bengals starting 2-0 for a second straight season. He also pointed back to last year’s late-season fade, when the team dropped 11 of its final 15, while saying the defensive effort should build hope after a modest offensive debut.
CBS Sports kept the Bengals at No. 8. Pete Prisco’s assessment was blunt: the defense forced three turnovers, one went back for a touchdown, and “That’s progress.”
Pro Football Talk had Cincinnati at No. 7, up four spots, with Mike Florio saying, “In past years, they would have fully blown a 27-10 lead.”
Sports Illustrated was more cautious, dropping the Bengals to No. 13, down six. Conor Orr and Vinnie Iyer both focused on the defensive step forward and the way Cincinnati handled the opener.
Iyer said the Bengals are “notorious for slow starts” with Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor, but called it “a good change” that they beat Tampa Bay more through defense and the running game. He also said Cincinnati “has become a more dangerous all-around team and can make a much bigger statement in Houston in Week 2.”
ESPN’s blurb also highlighted a key defensive performance, with Ben Baby noting that “[Boye] Mafe” delivered a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery against Tampa Bay, while leading all Bengals defensive linemen with 37 snaps. Baby added that, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, he tied rookie edge rusher Cashius Howell with a team-high four pressures.
Ryan Dunleavy did not provide a blurb for the Bengals.
We talked about the Bengals’ Week 1 win and how they match up with the Houston Texans in our show below.
In Other News...
Bengals Already Have An AFC North Problem After Week 1
Week 1 did the Bengals no favors in the AFC North race. Baltimore and Pittsburgh both opened with wins, while Cleveland stumbled badly, leaving Cincinnati to take a hard look at a division that already looks like it could be unforgiving from the start. The Ravens got the kind of offensive performance that can set a tone early, and the Steelers leaned on T.J. Watts disruptive afternoon to make their own statement.
For the Bengals, the early standings are only part of the concern. The divisions top end already looks sharp, and even the Browns issues only underline how difficult every week in the North is going to be. Cincinnati does not have much room to waste time sorting itself out, because the teams around it have already begun piling up reasons to make the path to the division feel steep. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Suddenly Have A Valuable Trade Chip As QB Chaos Spreads
Joe Flacco has become one of the more interesting names sitting around the Bengals quarterback room, not because Cincinnati needs him to start, but because he has shown he can step in and handle the job on short notice. With multiple quarterbacks on the roster and practice squad, the Bengals are in a position that has suddenly drawn more attention than usual as the rest of the league scrambles to stabilize behind center.
Around the NFL, several teams are dealing with injuries and uneven play at quarterback, and that has created a market for veteran depth in a hurry. Flaccos experience makes him an obvious fit for clubs looking for a ready-made option, whether through a trade or another roster move, though no deal has been confirmed and Cincinnati still appears to be holding its cards for now. [Read more 🡒]
Amarius Mims Is Forcing A Bengals Decision They Usually Avoid
Amarius Mims looked every bit like a player who has changed the conversation around the Bengals right tackle spot in his preseason debut against Tampa Bay. He handled his pass protection cleanly and did not allow a pressure, a promising sign for a player whose game has been trending in the right direction since late 2025.
For Cincinnati, the bigger issue is what this kind of development eventually forces them to consider. Mims is not even in extension territory until 2027, but the market for tackles with his profile already points to a hefty price range, and that number could keep climbing if franchise-tag costs rise the way they are projected to. The Bengals usually prefer to avoid getting boxed into a costly decision early, yet Mims keeps making it harder to ignore what comes next. [Read more 🡒]