In the seventh of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the Cincinnati Bengals.
Key Off Season Acquisitions
The Bengals had two significant offseason acquisitions. On offense, they made it a priority to protect star quarterback Joe Burrow more by coming to terms on a contract with left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. of Duluth, Georgia to a four-year contract worth $64 million. A four-time Pro Bowler, he has had great success over the last four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. This past season, Brown Jr. won a Super Bowl.
Cincinnati also signed safety Nick Scott of Lancaster, Pennsylvania to a three-year deal worth $12 million. Like Brown Jr., he is a Super Bowl champion, having won with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. During 2022, Scott had 86 combined tackles (56 solo tackles and 30 assisted tackles), one tackle for a loss, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and five pass deflections.
Fantasy Stars
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow of Ames, Iowa is ranked third among National Football League quarterbacks behind Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. Last season, he completed 414 passes in 606 attempts for 4475 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions. A Pro Bowler for the first time, Burrow had 75 rushes for 257 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
At the kicker position, Evan McPherson of Fort Payne, Alabama is ranked 10th. In 2022, he made 52 of 62 field goals, and 40 of 44 converts.
Projected Finish
The Bengals are clearly the best team in the AFC North. Expect them to win the division title and contend for a conference championship as well.
