Bengals 2016 season awards: Best win of the year

The year just wasn’t anywhere close to as satisfying for the Bengals as their 12-4 finish we witnessed last year. But there were still some quality efforts made in 2016, starting right off the bat in Week 1. When looking at each of Cincinnati’s six wins this year, many of them had big implications as the team stayed alive in the playoff race late into the season.

Which win was the biggest and best of the year? Cast your vote and sound off on your winner!

Week 1, Bengals beat Jets, 23-22: After securing 10 wins last year, the Bengals traveling to New York to take on the Jets seemed like a huge task. Emotions were running high, as it was the 15th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, so Cincinnati had to dig deep for a win to start off the season. It wasn't the prettiest of wins, but the Bengals hung tough and outlasted New York to start the season off well, capped by a last-minute Mike Nugent field goal.

Week 4, Bengals beat Dolphins on Thursday night, 22-7: The Bengals went on a two-game skid after that win against the Jets, losing to the Steelers and Broncos. Cincinnati desperately needed to right the ship, as the Dolphins came to Paul Brown Stadium in Week 4. The contest didn't start out well as Ryan Tannehill hit Kenny Stills for a big touchdown pass, but that was all Miami was able to do on the night. Whether it was getting a critical early-season win or seeing those sleek white uniforms, their second win of the year on national television was a good one.

Week 13, Bengals beat Eagles, 32-14: Even after a 0-3-1 stretch from Weeks 8-12, Cincinnati still had a faint pulse for the postseason. The Bengals rarely seem to do well against quarterbacks they haven't seen before, so facing rookie phenom Carson Wentz was a scary proposition. However, Cincinnati's defense made life miserable for the No. 2 overall pick, grabbing three interceptions while Andy Dalton had one of the best games in his career with 332 yards and two touchdowns, all without A.J. Green.

Week 17, Bengals beat Ravens in finale, 27-10: The season was done, but the Bengals didn't stop playing good football. Some fans may have been frustrated with the win because of NFL Draft positioning and the idea of the coaching staff remaining intact, but Cincinnati gave one its best efforts of the year against their division rival. Making it more impressive is that this wasn't the banged up Ravens squad the Bengals beat up on in the 2015 finale, as Joe Flacco, Steve Smith Sr. and most of Baltimore's starters played in the matchup. It wouldn't have been fun to watch both the Steelers and Ravens sweep the Bengals this season, and the Bengals prevented that from happening in Week 17. That alone might make Week 17 the best win of the season.