It’s getting very frustrating now for Cincinnati Bengals fans. It’s yet another loss despite scoring a boatload of points. This time, they scored 42 points but the Chicago Bears ended up with 47.
The season is starting to become lost again at 3-6, especially after losing two straight games in which they averaged 40 points. That win over the Steelers feels so long ago. Let’s take a look at how close to the bottom the Bengals are in the various power rankings.
USA Today: No. 22 (Last Week: 23)
Congrats to the only team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to score at least 38 points in successive games … and lose both. Since the start of the 2024 season, Cincy has lost six games in which it’s scored at least 30 points. It’s enough to make an average back like Chase Brown start lobbing F-bombs across the locker room. Yet − credit to them − they’ve managed to unload an expensive defender who hadn’t even managed to keep his job.
ESPN: No. 23 (Last Week: 23)
From Ben Baby: (on the most important game remaining)
It always felt like the Bengals’ rematch against the Steelers was going to be crucial for Cincinnati’s playoff hopes. But after back-to-back losses heading into the bye, the outcome against Pittsburgh also could determine if the Bengals should fully commit to reevaluating and rebuilding the roster. According to the FPI, they have a 6% chance of making the playoffs.
The Athletic: No. 24 (Last Week: 23)
From Josh Kendall and Chad Graff: (On Aidan Hutchinson)
Last offseason, the Bengals hired a new defensive coordinator (Al Golden) and chose defensive players with three of their first four picks in the draft. Yet somehow their defense has gotten worse. It seems like the offensive players are fed up with it, with Chase Brown offering only a “WTF” after putting up 42 points and losing.
NFL.com: No. 25 (Last Week: 25)
With a bum shoulder, having practiced only once last week, Joe Flacco went out and threw for 470 yards in an all-time gutsy effort, even chasing down a turnover all the way to the end zone in the fourth quarter. He nearly beat the Bears, too, but the Bengals’ defense once again collapsed late. The Bears weren’t that much better defensively, and they had a horrific special teams game, but even with Flacco’s massive game, Cincinnati couldn’t win. That’s how bad things are defensively. Two straight gutting losses have dropped the Bengals to 3-6 heading into the bye, and about the only thing going for them is the 2-0 divisional mark. Perhaps an upset at Pittsburgh in Week 11 can keep them on life support.
FOX Sports: No. 26 (Last Week: 26)
They are wasting Joe Flacco (470 yards, 4 TDs vs. the Bears) like they wasted Joe Burrow. Can’t anybody coach defense over there? Or, you know, just coach?
NBC Sports: No. 24 (Last Week: 22)
The only thing that could save Duke Tobin is a significant buyout.
CBS Sports: No. 27 (Last Week: 27)
“Who ey” going to beat them Bengals? Get it? No D. That defense is terrible.
RELATED: Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase seems to agree with fans in behind-scenes rant
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals Week 10 power rankings outlook after NFL trade deadline
