The 2022 Cincinnati Bengals started their season with a 2-2 record through their first four games as they looked to defend their AFC championship title. They ranked seventh in Offensive DVOA — not terrible, but you could tell that things weren’t quite right.
Then, in Week 5, things changed. All of a sudden, quarterback Joe Burrow was making the ridiculous pinpoint throws we’re used to from the first overall pick in the 2020 draft, and the Bengals have rolled up a 6-2 record since. That puts them with an 8-4 record, and the fifth seed in the AFC as they prepare to face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Cincinnati has ranked sixth in Offensive DVOA since week five, and that’s despite four games without top receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who was out Weeks 8-1 with a hip injury.
