Well once again just like last season this one did not end the way us Bengals fans would have liked. In fact this year was even worse than last year. It is sad because besides the NFC South the AFC North was probably the next weakest. One thing I posted in the 2025 Bengals thread was that the Bengals have to find a way to get off to good start something we had not been able to do under Taylor. Well, we did that we started the season at 2-0 with an ugly win at Cleveland to begin the season then an impressive win over the Jacksonville Jaguars who went on to finish the season at 13-4. The problem was in this game Burrow went down with another serious injury. The Bengals went on to lose their next 4 games and the season was pretty much over at that time. For the season the Bengals were 5-3 on the season with Burrow at QB and 1-8 without him.

No looking to the 2026 season the offense is one of the best in the league. The Bengals have a good running game and the best WR combo in the league. A few tweaks to the offensive line. The defense is where the work will need to be done. I think Shemar Stewart once he got over the contract issue and nagging injuries he played well at the end of the season.

However, as they say the proof is in the pudding and for the Bengals the 2025 defensive statistics were just awful! They is no sugar coating it. Here is where the Bengals ranked in several of the more important sats/rankings are as follows:

Points allowed for season: 31st-492

Points allowed av. per game: 30th-29.3

Total yard av. per game: 31st-380.9

Passing yards for season: 29th-3,975 yards

Rushing yards for season: 32nd-2500 yards

Rushing yards av. per game: 32nd-147.1 yards per game

There will need to be some major changes needed on the defensive side of the ball in my opinion they do not need to be top 5 I think with the Bengals offense if they can improve on the defensive side of the ball to middle of the pack they can have a very good season.

In looking ahead, I think the Bengals have to have a couple of things happen to make the playoffs and have a good playoff run. #1 Joe Burrow has to stay healthy and play a full season. #2 there has be personnel changes on the defensive side of the ball. They have to get some run stoppers on the d-line and improve in the secondary.

Finally, in looking at the 2026 schedule and where the Bengals finished 3rd in AFC North and based on this year's teams, they will have a schedule that should get them several wins. Below is a breakdown of their 2026 schedule according to Wikipedia:

6 games vs. AFC North

4 games vs. ACF South

4 games vs. NFC South

1 game vs. AFC West 3rd place team (Kansas City)

1 game vs. AFC East 3rd place team (Miami)

1 game vs. NFC East 3rd place team (Commanders) 

I will say in closing this post the exact the same sentence I said last year. I being a lifelong fan am already looking forward to the 2026 season. However, we have one of the top 3 or 4 quarterbacks in the NFL and a top 3 wide-receiver and maybe the top 1 or 2 #2 WR in the league we need to start making deep playoff runs and another Super Bowl or two while these guys are still in their primes. Go Bengals! WHO DEY!!

I’m at 10-7 but it’s all predicated on if we have Burrow for a full season. I don’t trust the Brown family to get a legit defense or offensive line to help out.

5-12!

9 minutes ago, Breds82 said:

I’m at 10-7 but it’s all predicated on if we have Burrow for a full season. I don’t trust the Brown family to get a legit defense or offensive line to help out.

For the offensive line, as long as they sign Risner back. There really isn’t any changes needed on the line, besides possibly drafting a tackle to eventually replace Brown. The o line was pretty good this year, and seemed to do really with the new line coach. 
 

In 2021 they went out and added 5 guys on defense that made a huge difference in the Super Bowl run. So they have shown they can do it, question is will they? Hopefully Burrows comments about changes needing to happen helps put pressure on them to do that. 

Hard to get excited about a Top 10 pick with Duke and Zac doing the picking. 

10 hours ago, TribeTime said:

Hard to get excited about a Top 10 pick with Duke and Zac doing the picking. 

That's exactly what I said yesterday leaving Paycor after the game, optimism is at an all time low again I feel.

I have no faith in the organization building a Super Bowl winning team.  But, I see no reason why this team can’t compete for a playoff spot.  A healthy Burrow and a slightly improved defense will have them competitive.  Personally, that isn’t good enough for me.  I am no longer FANatical for this team but I will always be a fan.  I used to have season tickets and even when I didn’t I would go over to a couple of games.  Bengals used to be appointment viewing but now if something else comes up I don’t worry about missing the game.  I used to buy a couple hundred dollars in new gear every fall but this year I just saved the money.  They will always be my team.  I hope they build a monster that leads to years of domination.  However, based on the history of the franchise we can expect 2-3 ‘good’ years for every ten.  If they want me to be FANatical again, they have to do more.  

From the desk of Bengals President Mike Brown:

We came into the season with high expectations, coming off four straight winning seasons with leaders in place that took us to a Super Bowl and two AFC Championship games. We know this season has been frustrating and disappointing. The results fell short of our standards, and missing the playoffs again proves there is more work to do. 

 

Our focus is on building a team that can consistently compete at the highest level, with the goal of winning championships. After thoughtful consideration, I am confident that Duke Tobin and Zac Taylor are the right leaders to guide us forward. They have proven they can build and lead teams that compete for championships. We trust their plans and expect to return to our desired level of success. 

 

We recognize your investment and immense support as season ticket members. Your passion fuels our entire organization to work to deliver results that match your pride and expectations, which we share. We are taking a hard look at everything we do as we approach this offseason with focused determination to build a championship-caliber roster that wins consistently for you and our beloved home of Cincinnati. 

 

Thank you for being the heartbeat of this team. We promise to match your energy with relentless effort to make the 2026 season a great one. 

 

Mike Brown, Team President

13 hours ago, TribeTime said:

Hard to get excited about a Top 10 pick with Duke and Zac doing the picking. 

 

3 hours ago, DiamondGator23 said:

That's exactly what I said yesterday leaving Paycor after the game, optimism is at an all time low again I feel.

Them picking in the top 10 is actually reason to have optimism. As under Zac Taylor when they have picked in the top 10 they have gotten it right. As their two top 10 picks under Taylor were Burrow and Chase. 

First round picks under Taylor:

Jonah Williams

Burrow
Chase

Dax hill

Murphy

Mims

Stewart

Jonah Williams was average at best, he was pick 11. Burrow and Chase top 10, and both been great. Dax Hill now that he finally has been playing in his correct spot, has looked like a first round corner. Murphy took awhile to develop, but now that he is getting more snaps he is looking the part. Mims is on track to be one of the best tackles in football. Stewart has the ability, but definitely a big question mark if he can put it all together. 

So their first round picks under Taylor honestly haven't been as bad as some think. Unfortunately they just don't usually get much from them right away, which is the issue. They need to get someone in the top 10 that can truly contribute right away, like Burrow and Chase did. 

Hendrickson gone will free up $40million for some quality free agent defenders.

6 hours ago, theguru said:

".....desired level of success."  I question what that level is.  

16 hours ago, theguru said:

Honestly it is kind of nice getting to hear Flacco's opinion on Taylor. Flacco has obviously been around a long time now and been around a lot of coaches. So getting to hear his opinion of Taylor is good to hear, because Burrow has only ever had Taylor in the NFL. So Burrow wouldn't know what it is like under someone else, so hearing Flacco also back Taylor and thinking he is good is good to hear. 

8 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Honestly it is kind of nice getting to hear Flacco's opinion on Taylor. Flacco has obviously been around a long time now and been around a lot of coaches. So getting to hear his opinion of Taylor is good to hear, because Burrow has only ever had Taylor in the NFL. So Burrow wouldn't know what it is like under someone else, so hearing Flacco also back Taylor and thinking he is good is good to hear. 

Pretty much what I am thinking and mostly why I posted it. ?

I see it as a huge vote of confidence for Coach Taylor.