Bengals started over at key spots, still get friendly ESPN FPI outlook
Bengals started over at key spots, still get friendly ESPN FPI outlook
Most years, the Cincinnati Bengals stress continuity as one of the biggest factors for the team going into a new season.
But as fans know by now, that's not the case across the board in 2025.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor reworked multiple spots this offseason, getting fresh eyes on his offensive line and across the defense. That's something actually working to their strength in the mind of ESPN's Seth Walder, who says based on FPI, the Bengals have the fourth-best shot at making the playoffs in the AFC:
"But the lack of year-to-year continuity that happens with good defenses also happens with weaker units. Cincinnati replaced defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo with Al Golden this offseason, which increases the FPI's uncertainty on that side of the ball. Ultimately, the model forecasts the Bengals to have an average defense, which moves them to No. 7 in the overall rankings."
RELATED: Bengals UDFA is already turning heads at OTAs
ESPN's FPI model puts the Bengals behind only the Bills, Ravens and Chiefs. Baltimore, of course, has the best odds to then win the AFC North, which should be just fine by everyone in Cincinnati after last year's slow start and bad defense still only resulted in 41-38 and 35-34 losses to those Ravens.
The Bengals dashed continuity in key spots in the name of better performances, but also in the name of better player development, something that has sorely lacked on the defensive side of the ball for years and in the offensive trenches for even longer.
Now, the new faces just have to meet expectations to prove the FPI model right.
RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals players missing OTAs list ahead of training camp
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