Everyone knows that things change fast in the NFL, but in the AFC North, roles reversed with stunning speed, and the Bengals were the main agents of change. After three consecutive last-place finishes, Cincinnati came within five minutes of a Super Bowl title in February. Their run was fueled first and foremost by Joe Burrow’s superstar sophomore season. He could be even better this year, because this spring the Bengals addressed their biggest weakness, a shaky offensive line, by adding three new starters in free agency: former Cowboys right tackle La’el Collins, former Bucs right guard Alex Cappa and former Patriots center Ted Karras. Along with fourth-round rookie Cordell Volson at left guard, the Bengals are likely to open the season with four new starters up front.
But Cincinnati’s defense played an oft-overlooked role last year. Coordinator Lou Anarumo effectively mixed coverages as the defensive line got it done behind two 2021 free-agent signings: edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and run stopper D.J. Reader. As long as the defense continues to hold its own, Cincinnati will head back to the postseason.
The presumed top challenger to the Bengals is the Ravens, a team that dealt with an absurd rash of injuries in 2021. Among them: Lamar Jackson was inactive for five games with an ankle injury, franchise left tackle Ronnie Stanley (also ankle) missed all but the season opener, ball-hawking cornerback Marcus Peters and the entire running back depth chart were lost for the season in August, and All-Pro CB Marlon Humphrey missed the final month of ’21.
