Figure 1 The Bengals will need to improve next season – Source: Pexels
After the Bengals went all the way to Super Bowl LVI, many fans thought that they would see more winning seasons, more divisional titles, and maybe even a championship in the following years. Although it has been a better time to be a Cincinnati fan than those unlucky enough to be around in the 1990s, those hopes and dreams have not entirely played out.
Bengals fans are used to disappointment, but when the team unearthed a generational talent in the form of Joe Burrow, it did feel as though there would be more good days than bad in the years ahead. Injuries have dented those aspirations in the last few years, and now anyone reading an honest BetNow review to find out about its NFL markets is probably thinking twice before backing the Bengals.
But now that the 2026 NFL schedules have been released, should there be a rethink on how well the team could do? A positive offseason has brought hope again to Cincinnati, but is betting on the Bengals really a good idea in 2026?
All About Joe
Anyone thinking of backing the Bengals in any capacity next season knows that it really all comes down to whether Joe Burrow is fit or not. The offense can be improved, and the defense can be revamped, but the chance of the Bengals making the playoffs really comes down to one man.
Burrow has consistently shown that he is absolutely integral to any Cincinnati success, and his injury issues have to, therefore, be taken into account. It is highly likely that Burrow will miss games this season as well, but as long as he is not out for a long stretch like last year, there should be confidence in this team.
Roster Strengthening
Joe Flacco may have lost the majority of the games he played last season after coming in for the injured Burrow, but he didn’t actually play badly. Similarly, the Bengals offense, while not being anywhere near the best in the league, is far from being the worst. The real problem with Cincinnati last year was the defense.
After finishing 31st in the entire NFL, something had to be done, and it is good to see that the organization prioritized strengthening the defense. Losing Trey Hendrickson seemed like a terrible way to start, but exchanging the first round pick for Dexter Lawrence was a good move. Further trades for experienced athletes have boosted the roster and made it far more competitive ahead of the new season.
Divisional Problems
As much as the Bengals have done well in strengthening what was a terrible defense, and improving the offense to help Joe Burrow, it is the other teams in the division that you really have to consider of you are thinking of backing Cincinnati in 2026. Winning the AFC North might be crucial for a successful postseason, but it is far from guaranteed.
Looking at the four teams on paper, only the Ravens look markedly better, especially if Lamar Jackson is fit and healthy. But the Steelers will be putting a lot of faith in the McCarthy-Rodgers reunion and a major change in tactics, while the Browns can only really improve. Backing the Bengals to win the AFC North seems like a long shot.
Win Totals
The Bengals only won six games in 2025, but a lot of that can be put down to Burrow’s absence. A win total of 9.5 has been widely agreed for the team this year and that is certainly achievable, given the strengthening of the defense and the offensive weapons the team has in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
The team of Burrow and Chase, in particular, is one of the best QB-WR partnerships in the league, and it can only get better. Those two alone could give the Bengals a few wins this season, and the schedule offers the opportunity to do well. Divisional games will be crucial, especially those near the end of the year, but beating the projection is possible.
Playoff Potential
There are so many caveats to Cincinnati’s chances this year that it is very difficult to confidently predict whether this team will make the playoffs. The competitiveness of the AFC North also makes it harder for a team to win enough games to make the postseason if they are unable to win the title.
There is a lot of potential here, though. Again, a lot comes down to Joe Burrow, but a return to the playoffs after three barren years is possible. It is almost guaranteed that there will be more wins than last year, and it is not inconceivable that the Bengals go on to record double digit wins, as in 2021 and 2022.
Figure 2 Winning more games at home is a must for the Bengals – Source: Unsplash
Super Bowl Champs?
This article has been very confident in the abilities of a team that only won six games in 2025. But it draws the line at backing the Bengals to go all the way to the Super Bowl next season. There is definitely room – and potential – for improvement, but there will not be a transformation of that proportion.
Keeping Burrow healthy is imperative if Cincinnati want to do anything in 2026, but there is a better team around him now. Steady improvement and a playoff appearance should be the goal, with an eye on a longer run in the playoffs in the years ahead.