NFL Power Rankings Week Four: Bengals Remain Middle Of The Road

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 29, 2010 12:56 PM EDT in Analysis

CHARLOTTE NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 26 2010 in Charlotte North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Before you can preempt us in a showing of indifferent awesomeness, I wanted to point out that while Power Rankings are nothing more than a collection of teams ranked based on the author's subjective listing, they qualify as decent fodder, along with getting an idea of what other people's impressions are of the Bengals. Again, I know. Not much weight, but fun nonetheless.

+ SB Nation Power Rankings: 16th

We'll place them at 16 for now but they'll likely be rising in the next two weeks with games against the Bucs and Browns.

+ ESPN Power Rankings: 12th

The Bengals are winning with defense. But is it time to start worrying about QB Carson Palmer?

+ CBS Sports' Power Rankings: 9th

They aren't doing a lot on offense, but the defense has come up big the past two weeks. It's time to get the passing game, mainly Carson Palmer, cranked up.

+ Fox Sports' Power Rankings: 14th

If you have been watching veteran QB Carson Palmer so far, then you probably know that he hasn't been looking sharp. I can't put my finger on it, but despite the additions at receiver, Palmer doesn't look very comfortable behind center.

+ AOL Fan House Power Rankings: 13th

The Bengals really haven't impressed yet. They look shaky on offense, somewhat tough on defense, and they're finding ways to win games despite not playing really well. The offense probably needs to play better at some point, but it's working for now.

The theme is all the same. Good defensive play, Carson Palmer needs to step up and the team hasn't generally impressed anyone. Basically, aside from the Bengals generally ranked in the top-half in the league, all we learned is that others could be applying what Bengals fans have been saying this entire time.

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What this tells me

Rankings are really impressed with offense… and ours just isn’t that good.

by The Dealio on Sep 29, 2010 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Here are my issues

Why is it that with 3 weeks of bad qb play (and last weeks performance by batch was bad despite his stats) and good d/special teams, putt is the #1 team everywhere, but when we do the same thing, we’re middle of the pack?

And second, we beat Baltimore. Yet because they play good offense, they’re a better team? Not so much.

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Sep 29, 2010 1:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

In the ESPN Rankings, we actually went down a step after last week

And the Ravens who squeaked out a win against the Browns remain the same. The Dealio is right on. The judges are impressed primarily with offense, and not so much with defense.

My other beef is of course the steelers. Are the good? Yes. Are they observably the best team in the league after beating down the Bucs? No way.

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on Sep 29, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

We're ranked where we are because of how badly NE beat us

Baltimore is going to stay ahead of us because they haven’t been blown out. Also they were a super bow pick for many so they must save face,

by Throw the ball on Sep 29, 2010 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

+1

New England is the problem here. They made us look like the Bengals of 1994 and the analyst can’t get past that.

by JamesShively on Sep 29, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

They would have found an excuse even if the Bengals did win

“Oh they beat the Patriots team that Buffalo put 30 points up on”

These things mean nothing. Carson has looked shakey so lets keep them in the teens, while Flacco has looked horrible and lets put them in the top 5.

by Deanezag on Sep 29, 2010 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I think power rankings are worth nothing except to be fodder for discussion

It is a mistake IMO for anyone to take them too seriously. There is no accountability and therefore no credibility. Now, if one of these pundits actually got heat for being wrong I might feel differently. Last year for example Jamie Dukes, after our loss to the Broncos in the first game, said he was done with the Bengals. They wouldn’t be a factor. Bradshaw guarenteed as victory for the Steelers at home against us. The next week it was business as usual and no mention was made about how wrong he was. No accountability = No credibility.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Sep 29, 2010 10:33 PM EDT reply actions