ESPN Power Ranking: Cincinnati Bengals Rank Dead Last

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 6, 2011 1:14 PM EDT

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer argues with head linesman Kent Payne #79 during an NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Paul Brown Stadium on September 1, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Colts won 17-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

ESPN.com released their first regular season Power Rankings before the season opener this weekend against the Cleveland Browns. The top five is your usual suspects with the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, ~~Vince Young's Dream Team~~ Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints ranked first to fifth respectively.

The Baltimore Ravens are eighth, the Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts ninth and the Cleveland Browns 29th.

The Cincinnati Bengals ranked dead last.

Coach Marvin Lewis says the 2011 Bengals are better than the 2010 Bengals (4-12). It should be a close race.
- James Walker

Departing AFC North blogger James Walker proudly pointed out that since the Bengals were a notch better than the Carolina Panthers, he voted them 31st.

In other news, it's unknown if the ESPN NFL writers partook with Maryland's uniform design team recently; though we're fairly certain a coin toss, Hannah Storm's legs, a Sega Genesis and a Deep Purple CD were involved.

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Comments

I've never understood the NEED for NFL rankings

By any media outlet, let alone the less than stellar sports reporting of Espn.

This is NOT college football with arbitrary rankings (AP and coaches poll)! This is THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE with division standings, wild cards, and a playoff format.

Who gives a sh*t about random, arbitrary rankings that really have no place in the NFL.

In the immortal words of Bart Scott, “Can’t wait” for Sunday.

by The_Black_Stripes on Sep 6, 2011 1:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Power ranking don't mean squat

In fact, for us, we usually do better when they rate us low.

Follow me on Twitter @BonnieBengal

by BonnieBengal on Sep 6, 2011 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

Can we admit what this REALLY is?

Picking the Bengals is slightly less cool than picking your nose. No analysis necessary.

"The only thing we have to fear is... Mike Brown himself."

by DrainBamage on Sep 6, 2011 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Nowhere to go but up.

It’s understandable given the changes the 4-12 has gone through. Personally, I think we we will win more games than we did last year. Our defense should be better and if our running game is decent, we may surprise some folks—starting with the Cleveland Browns.

by goffchile on Sep 6, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

Agree

I know that I’m biased, but I don’t see how this team does worse than last year, nor do
I see how they’re the worst/least talented team in the league. I like that the rest of the NFL thinks we’re doormats—just like 2009. I’d like to know the preseason rankings for this team going into that year.

CincyJungle Contributor
Follow me on Twitter: CUIBengalsFan

by Anthony Cosenza on Sep 6, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Bengals were 24th.

Raters gonna Rate.

by goffchile on Sep 6, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Interestingly...

…there is a spread sheet towards the bottom of that article. CBS was the only major “power ranker” that put the Bengals in the top 15. All others in the bottom third.

I do remember Bill Cowher early on that year saying “look out for the Bengals.”

by goffchile on Sep 6, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm optimistic

But also realistic. If the Bengals go 3-13, can anyone really say that they began the season thinking that, unless there were key injuries, there’s no way the team would ever finish the season with only three wins? I can’t.

by LooseCannon on Sep 6, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's to low expectations!!!

I’d rather be pleasantly surprised with 8 wins than go into the season with playoff hopes only watch the team erode during the regular season (cough2010cough)

by Paul Cannon on Sep 6, 2011 1:41 PM EDT reply actions

Never looked at it that way.

I agree

by mibengal on Sep 6, 2011 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Espn reporting is consistently lazy and misinformed

I’m not saying the Bengals are worldbeaters, but these rankings are warmed-over pablum from last year. Let’s hope the bengals use this as motivation.

"Ryan, Things in here don't react too well to bullets." - Marko Ramius

by TarZander on Sep 6, 2011 1:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I'm certain that "Smoke on the Water" was a factor in these rankings

At the same time, i need to emphasize that i have no problem at all with Hannah Storm’s legs; and i’m sure that it was a contributing factor, as well.

by Fair weather fan on Sep 6, 2011 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

The shocker

Is that Skip Bayless, who has made a career out of being negative and insulting, said that the Bengals are going to be the surprise team of the entire league this year, and rated them ahead of the Browns in the AFC North. He didn’t rank them against the whole league, though.

Peter King has them at the bottom at 3-13, behind Carolina at 4-12.

Carolina, Buffalo and San Francisco are my calls for the worst three. I’ve got Seattle regressing from 7-9 to be in the bottom 10. Denver is going to crumble.

And I’ve got the Giants as the “Good Team” that falls apart like Dallas last year.

My personal belief has the Bengals at 6-10, and winning more late in the year after they have more time together.

by Skyhook on Sep 6, 2011 2:00 PM EDT reply actions

That's not a shocker

Bayless has made a career out of being a contrarian. It’s predictable that he’s going to pick a team that everyone else is down on as his surprise team.

by LooseCannon on Sep 6, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

i think you have the Giants and Cowboys reversed from last year.

The Cowboys started 1-4, then lost Romo, and continued their slide to a 6-10 season. They were awful from start to finish last year. The Giants weren’t good last season – they choked away their final three games when all they needed to do to secure a playoff berth was win one of the final three games. Sound familiar to anyone?!?? I’m looking at you ’06 Bengals!!

For what it’s worth, I think the Bears will tank this year. Remember, the Bears (not the SB winning Packers) won the NFC North last season. They are “led” by Jay “ouch my knee hurts” Cutler, and I just don’t see them repeating last season’s success.

by The_Black_Stripes on Sep 6, 2011 2:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I dont Really Care About These Rankings its Useless and I Can Careless

Because The Bengals are goin to Do their thing because nobody wanted them to WIN

by Touhue Cha on Sep 6, 2011 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

Conventional wisdom

is usually conventional and not interesting, right?
I’m focused on Dalton to indicate how well the Bengals do. Lets see if he can best Sam Bradford’s 2010 stats and ranking. 3500 yards, 18 TD’s, 15 INTS and a rating of 77.
If he does better than that, they win more than 4 games. If he does worse, well don’t ask.

by BENGALS69 on Sep 6, 2011 2:32 PM EDT reply actions

If he's even in that ball park

we’ll be a 7 win team

by Nick Lien on Sep 6, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah thats the point

Bradford did real well as a rookie. I’m going with the Rams as division winners simply because of Bradford. Dalton will have to have one helluva a season to be in Bradford territory. In all liklihood he throws for less TD’s more INT’s and much less yards, probably around 2500 yards. QB rating? Around 60.

by BENGALS69 on Sep 6, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

espn doesn't like the bengals

someone alert the media!

to hell with espn, who watches them anymore for football coverage? the nfl network has owned espn for years. they’re a 2nd rate channel struggling to stay relevant in today’s multimedia world.

anyone for watching cliff diving on the ocho?

" I for one, welcome our new Buffalo overlords. " - Whokebe

by palewook on Sep 6, 2011 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

Im a homer but

ESPN can suck it… If our team is worse than 31 other teams then we will just have to prove them wrong!!! Who dey who dey!!!

by Toasted_Orange_Monster on Sep 6, 2011 2:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

If he's even in that ball park

we’ll be a 7 win team.

by Nick Lien on Sep 6, 2011 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

It'll mean teams

Take us lightly and underprepare. All to our advantage.

Joel, get off the babysitter

by LookingDeep on Sep 6, 2011 2:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

+1

and rec’d

" I for one, welcome our new Buffalo overlords. " - Whokebe

by palewook on Sep 6, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I just need to see one full game

Then I will make my predictions. I just want an entire piece of work to evaluate. It seems like Dalton gets better after he settles….Think he can do big things once he gets in a rhythm….

by ticalcaldwell on Sep 6, 2011 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

let's pray

that the rookie rhythm dalton finds isn’t sacks and ints.

" I for one, welcome our new Buffalo overlords. " - Whokebe

by palewook on Sep 6, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

I agree….I know its tough for a rookie…..I know

by ticalcaldwell on Sep 6, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh Yeah

I bet TCU is missing Dalton now….This just showed how great he really was…not just putting up points, but managing the game….Dalton spanked Baylor last year….jus sayin…Oh yeah and GA needed Green bad this week….

by ticalcaldwell on Sep 6, 2011 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

I know every year is a new year

I get it…..but Dalton WAS that team last year…..

by ticalcaldwell on Sep 6, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Rookie QB = bottom of the standings

3 to 6 wins, depending on how the OL gels.

by brisd on Sep 6, 2011 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

Recent rookie Qb's have done well in our division

Flacco and Roethlisberger went to the play-offs because their teams relied on defense and running game. I do not expect play-offs, but if he can match Flacco’s 14-12 ratio, or better yet the Rapist’s 17-11 ratio, we can compete and win. The key will be to keep interceptions to 12 or less, and sacks under 30. If Dalton does that we can finish .500 or better with our schedule.

It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain

by jim0ijk on Sep 6, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Dont put it all on Dalton

Give the guy some time, so what if they aint good, its not like we havent seen it before. I like Dalton, great attitude,(just like the rest of the Bengals)good mechanics, and smart. how long has it been since we’ve had no drama on this team? suffer through another year,but dont blame the qb when everything falls apart

by RedGreenShow on Sep 6, 2011 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

It depends on your definition of blame

Dalton doesn’t have to have a great season to be our starting QB going forward, but for the Bengals to win, the Running Game has to work, the defense needs to come up with Stops, our kickers need to be very good, and Dalton needs to avoid turn overs. I don’t expect the Bengals to ask too much of Dalton, but he has to give what is asked to go 6-10 or better which I would consider success for this year. If he leads the league in Pick sixes, like we did last year, 2-14 is optimistic.

It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain

by jim0ijk on Sep 6, 2011 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Its the name

When people hear Bengals they think the worst. Dnt understand how we rank last and we put up 24pts on Carolina. But its ok. Just let you know it dont take much to rank a team. Bet everything i have we dont get the first pick in the draft next year. Glad that they see the Bengals that way. When its all said and done how stupid will they look (those that say we are 32) at the end of the season. Hope they can keep they job. WHO DEY!!!!!!!!

by i am will on Sep 6, 2011 4:11 PM EDT reply actions