NFL.com ranks the teams who could win first Super Bowl in 2021 season

There are currently 12 NFL franchises who have yet to win a Super Bowl, a list that sadly includes the Cincinnati Bengals.

But with a young, promising core of players that includes Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Jessie Bates and Joe Mixon, this franchise may very well find itself contending for a title in the coming years.

Is 2021 too early to do so?

Over at NFL.com, Adam Schein ranked nine Super Bowl-less franchises from most to least likely to win it all this season. It’s no surprise seeing teams like the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans on top, as they’re already coming off double-digit win seasons and subsequent postseason berths.

Unfortunately, the Bengals didn’t check in until No. 7, only beating out the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers to avoid last place.

Well, OK, strange things happen in this parity-driven league. And hey, I already predicted the Bengals would win more games than the Steelers in 2021. Plus, I’ve got a comfy seat on the Burrow bandwagon. So let’s go!

While the playoffs feel like a stretch, I refuse to rule them out. Joe Burrow won’t accept losing, so neither will I. And look at the weaponry surrounding Cincy’s second-year signal-caller. No. 5 overall pick Ja’Marr Chase reunites with his LSU quarterback, joining a receiving corps that already features Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. That’s one hell of a pass-catching trio. And Joe Mixon’s an all-around stud in the backfield, poised for a bounceback season after an injury-riddled 2020. The defense carries a number of questions — a common trait for the remaining teams in this rundown — but Burrow’s in line for the type of breakthrough season that covers up a lot of warts.

Read the full ranking here.

What do you think? Too low for the Bengals? Too high? Let us know in the comments section!