NFL Win/Loss Preview Series: Cincinnati Bengals originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

No team dealt with more extremes than the 2024 Bengals — but it’s balance that gets you across the NFL’s finish line.

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Is any team more exciting with a wider range of outcomes than Cincinnati? Despite two separate three-game losing skids, CIN finished with nine wins due to a five-game string of victories to close the season — and it’s anybody’s guess which iteration of the team shows up to start 2025.

The quality of this prolific offense goes without saying — though it sure is fun to highlight their dominance in the passing game. With a trio of superstars anchoring the aerial attack, Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins helped light up the stat sheet last season…

Cincinnati Bengals Passing Ranks, 2024:

70.6% Completion Rate: 3rd

27.1 Completions Per Game: 1st

272.9 Passing Yards Per Game: 1st

Unfortunately for Bengals’ faithful, the defense played as poorly as the offense played well. Pick an element of the defense and there are red flags to be found. Whether it’s the dreadful macro efficiency metrics (-0.05 EPA/Play, 47.3% Tackle Success, 5.4 Yards/Play), or numbers stopping the run (53.8% Success Rate, -0.02 EPA/Rush, 20 Rushing TD) and suppressing the pass (-0.10 EPA/Dropback, 31.2% Pressure Rate, 30 Passing TD), the Bengals failed to produce. It was ugly out there.

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Credit to the front office for getting aggressive in their competitive window, as there’s been a complete overhaul to rectify those defensive woes. Cincy hired homecomer Al Golden, former Bengal LB coach and defensive coordinator at Notre Dame to right the ship.

We’ll also see some personnel turnover in new free agent faces DT Tedarrell Slaton (Packers) and LB Oren Burks (Eagles), as well as top-50 draft picks DE Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) and LB Demetrius Knight (South Carolina).

Assuming at least four new starters, to go with a new coordinator could deem last year’s stats irrelevant — especially if former DC Lou Anarumo’s +5 DB two-high safety, Cover-3-heavy style goes the way of the dodo.

LAGHEZZA’S LEAN:

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Nothing could change my bearishness on Joe Burrow but it’s times like this I’m glad we have prop betting. This way I can stay exposed to my favorite elements of Cincinnati’s game without the risk of continued systemic failure by the defense.

If you could promise me the top-down changes will work, I’d say the Bengals’ current 9.5 win line is way too low. However, given the tough schedule (including the NFC North) it’s too early to make any definitive claims on the division.

Thanks so much reading, it’s been so exciting getting to interact with all my new friends here at Athlon Sports. If you’re interested in upping your analytical game, come check out my best-selling MLB/NFL Substack page. Don’t be shy — reach out to me via DM anytime on X @JohnLaghezza and I’ll hook you up with a free trial.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.