Opportunity knocks: At one time, then-Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict was regarded as one of the top defensive players in the country. But while the NFL was evaluating him, he gained weight, demonstrated a poor attitude, looked out of shape at the 2012 scouting combine and somehow tumbled from a potential first-round pick to an undrafted free agent.

Not only did Burfict wind up making the Bengals, but he started at weakside linebacker in Week 2 against the Browns. It wasn't planned that way. Burfict was working as the Bengals' backup middle linebacker. But weakside linebacker Thomas Howard tore his ACL during practice last Thursday, and Cincinnati felt its best option was to move Burfict from middle to weakside. The Bengals believe Burfict has great football instincts, in addition to disproving all his doubters. And now he has become Cincinnati's version of an unusual riches-to-rags-to-potential-riches story.