Bengals knock Browns from playoff spot in new projections
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jeff Driskel (12) runs with the ball for a first down in the second quarter of the NFL game between Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
The Cincinnati Bengals feature strongly in most analysis that projects win totals and playoff spots in 2024.
What's interesting, though, is thinking about how the Bengals might contribute to shaking up the entire playoff picture from last season.
Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr recently predicted six new teams into the playoffs compared to last year and even cited which of last year's playoff teams they would replace.
And Bengals fans will love this -- he has the Bengals replacing the Cleveland Browns:
For the Bengals, just like the Jets, having a team that was competitive and scrappy in the absence of its star quarterback is a tantalizing prospect and makes them an easy candidate for a rebound season. I saw some ESPN pundits arguing that Burrow could have a similar arc to Carson Wentz, with a complete change in perception occurring right after a trip to the Super Bowl. I’d disagree, given that the Bengals’ offense is Burrow. He runs it like Peyton Manning. He may have more control over the particulars of his offense than any of the young quarterbacks currently dominating the landscape.
Other notables include the Steelers and a hot riser like the Texans actually missing the playoffs next season.
And the Bengals are a playoff pick for obvious reasons in the same way the Browns aren't a surefire pick. Namely, Deshaun Watson remains a huge question mark.
Joe Burrow, though, is not. He's going to have a revamped offense and a defense that has potentially already fixed all of its concerns from last year in the secondary.
Tack on the strong performance by the Jake Browning-led Bengals last year, too -- this set of predictions doesn't feel bold.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals knock Browns from playoff spot in new projections