Micah Parsons didn’t hesitate when asked which AFC team he thinks will eventually grab the conference’s No. 1 seed. His answer went straight to Cincinnati.
On the latest episode of his Bleacher Report podcast, “The Edge with Micah Parsons”, the Green Bay Packers star said he sees the Bengals as the team best positioned to finish at the top of the AFC, even though they aren’t leading their division right now.
“I’m gonna say Bengals,” said Parsons. “They have pretty much been the most consistent.
They have so many answers. Tee (Higgins) is playing crazy this year.
If he stays healthy and he is playing like that with Ja’Marr (Chase)... Tee Higgins has been low-key going over 100 yards a couple games.
You are going to have to start respecting that. Yeah, Ja’Marr’s numbers may not be as high because Tee has been snapping.
They have been shifting to Ja’Marr and allowing Tee to go off. That’s great for the Bengals.
What people are not talking about is this Bengals defense is playing great. It’s not the same Bengals.”
That opinion came after a Week 7 statement win, when Cincinnati rolled past the Baltimore Ravens, 35-13. The Bengals are 4-2 after consecutive losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars in Weeks 3 and 4, but Parsons believes that rough patch won’t define their season.
The numbers give his take some weight. Cincinnati is one of only three NFL teams - along with the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers - that ranks in the top ten in points scored on offense and fewest points allowed on defense.
Joe Burrow has also been doing his part. Among quarterbacks who have started every game for their teams this season, Burrow owns the league’s highest completion percentage at 71.7 percent. He also ranks second in passing touchdowns with 15.
The Bengals will try to extend their two-game winning streak on Sunday when they host the Tennessee Titans.
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