When one thinks of underrated teams going into next season, it usually centers on rising teams that have struggled lately.
But the Cincinnati Bengals are something of a wild card in this regard.
Over at The Athletic, Mike Jones explained why the Bengals are one of the most underrated teams going into 2024:
A healthy Joe Burrow, the return of top receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, an upgraded offensive line (a pressing area of need), a reimagined offense after the elevation of quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher to coordinator — the Bengals seem to have a good shot at reclaiming their spot among the AFC’s elite. They might pose the biggest threat to the Kansas City Chiefs’ quest to win a third straight Super Bowl.
That new-look offense around Dan Pitcher is one of those things that doesn’t get mentioned a lot nationally, yet it could have a profound impact on a return to form in 2024.
Still, Joe Burrow’s health is the No. 1 thing and has the Bengals on a list like this alongside a team like Arizona that just posted two four-win seasons in a row.
One thing’s for sure — the Bengals won’t go overlooked for long if the team starts firing on all cylinders early in the season because it will be proof that last year’s struggles were an anomaly.
