Will the Bengals Make It Back to the Super Bowl?

The Cincinnati Bengals had their best season in team history last year. They started with their first AFC North title since 2015, then they won their first playoff game in 31 years.

To make it even sweeter, they made their way through the playoffs and clinched their first AFC Championship since 1988. They weren’t able to win the Super Bowl, but they have a lot to be happy about from the 2021 season.

The biggest issue last season was the problems and injuries on the offensive line. The team gave up the 3rd most sacks during the NFL regular season. They have made multiple moves this offseason to boost their rating on the o-line.

Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Line for 2022

• Left Offensive Tackle: Jonah Williams
• Left Guard: Jackson Carman
• Center: Ted Karras
• Right Guard: Alex Cappa
• Right Offensive Tackle: La’el Collins

The Bengals are projected to have the 8th best offensive line in the NFL this year. Karras, Cappa, and Collins are all veterans with high ratings. Williams and Carman were both high draft picks who are developing nicely.

If the Bengals offensive line holds, they will be extremely dangerous in the passing game. Joe Burrow passed for 4,611 yards last season, and that was with, arguably, the worst o-line in the NFL.

Joe Burrow will be feasting over the added protection this season. 5,000 yards will be an easy accomplishment with the weapons he has out wide. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd will lead the charge, and each will be utilized in different ways.

You can’t double team any of them because Burrow will just target another high level receiver. Defenses will have a hard time adjusting to one of the best, if not the best, receiving core in the league.

Cincinnati Bengals Running Game

The Bengals were 23rd in the running game last season, but that was due to the breakdown of the offensive line. With an improved line that is healthy and ready to lead the team, expect an increase in rushing attempts.

Joe Mixon is without a doubt one of the leaders for Cincinnati. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2021. That was the third time he reached the 1,000 yard plateau in his young career.

Mixon is also a threat in the passing game. Since he entered the league in 2017, Mixon has 1,322 receiving yards.

Joe Mixon Receiving Yards By Season

• 2021: 42 receptions, 314 yards, 3 touchdowns
• 2020: 21 receptions, 138 yards, 1 touchdown
• 2019: 35 receptions, 287 yards, 3 touchdowns
• 2018: 43 reception, 296 yards, 1 touchdown
• 2017: 30 receptions, 287 yards, 0 touchdowns

Will the Bengals Make It Back to the Super Bowl?

The AFC North is projected to be the 2nd most competitive division behind the AFC West. The entire AFC as a whole seems to be the better than the NFC. The Super Bowl favorite is even located in the AFC.

2022 AFC North Betting Odds

Odds are via BetOnline.

• Baltimore Ravens +160
• Cincinnati Bengals +180
• Cleveland Browns +300
• Pittsburgh Steelers +950

The path to the Super Bowl will be challenging for the Bengals, even if their passing game is #1 in the league. Since they won the division last year, Cincinnati will have to play all of the divisional winners from last season. That includes Kansas City, Buffalo, and Tennessee.

2022 AFC Championship Title Odds

Odds are via BetOnline.

• Buffalo Bills +350
• Kansas City Chiefs +500
• Los Angeles Chargers +850
• Denver Broncos +850
• Baltimore Ravens +1000
• Indianapolis Colts +1200
• Cincinnati Bengals +1200

The Bengals also have to play Tom Brady and the Buccaneers this season. Put that all together with 6 AFC North divisional games, and you get one of the toughest schedules in the NFL.

Super Bowl LVII Betting Odds

• Buffalo Bills +650
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers +750
• Kansas City Chiefs +1000
• Los Angeles Rams +1100
• Green Bay Packers +1200
• Los Angeles Chargers +1400
• San Francisco 49ers +1600
• Denver Broncos +1700
• Baltimore Ravens +2000
• Dallas Cowboys +2000
• Cincinnati Bengals +2200

The upside, is that I believe the Bengals can win every game in their division. This would put them in great position for the division title. If they do get the title, another home playoff game would serve them nicely.

Expect another AFC North title this season for the Bengals. They will have just enough to make it back into the playoffs as the #4 seed once again. That #4 seed from last season, made it all the way to Super Bowl 56.

I see The Bengals winning games in the playoffs for the second straight season. However, the playoff field will be loaded, and they most likely get a road game in the divisional round.

Bengals Final Season Predictions

• 11-6 record
• 6-0 within the AFC North
• Joe Burrow over 5,000 passing yards
• Joe Mixon over 1,000 rushing yards
• #4 seed in AFC Playoffs
• Win in Wild Card Round at home
• Loss in Divisional round on road

Other AFC North Stories on Betting News

• 2022 AFC North Predictions & Odds: Can the Bengals Go 6-0 in the Division?
• Who Will Have the Best Record in the NFL in 2022?