Offense Leads the Way
Cincinnati is a Joe Burrow team: the offense wins through his timing, route recognition and the depth of the receiving group. The defense has to create pressure with its rebuilt front without leaving the secondary exposed.
Cincinnati Bengals 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings
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79.5PFM Team Scorei
PFM Verdict
Why PFM Ranks the Bengals Here
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase can force any defense to cover the entire field, which keeps Cincinnati dangerous in every matchup. The Bengals rank No. 16 because that offensive edge is still carrying a defense rebuilt around Dexter Lawrence and a changed secondary. The front must create pressure without exposing the coverage if Cincinnati wants to move back toward the top tier.
NFL Rank#16Current PFM ranking
AFC Rank#9Among AFC teams
QB Stability#1Joe Burrow · No Questions Asked
Season OutlookIn the Playoff Mix
Head coachZac Taylor
Offensive coordinatorDan Pitcher
Defensive coordinatorAl Golden
Regular-Season Baseline
Baseline September 8, 2026PFM Trend
Current stateBaseline set
Cincinnati starts the regular season with a 79.5 PFM Team Score and the No. 16 spot in PFM’s NFL rankings. Movement will appear after the first published weekly ratings update.
PFM Team Score79.5
Score movementStarts here
NFL RankNo. 16
Rank movementStarts here
PFM Team DNA
View all NFL team rankingsCincinnati Bengals Team DNA
Cincinnati's Front Needs More Finishing Plays
Dexter Lawrence and the rebuilt front have to end possessions, not merely create pressure. Every third down that survives becomes another must-score assignment for Joe Burrow.
PFM CALL
Locks September 13th at 1:00 PM EDT
Who wins Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals?
Week 1 matchup
AwayTB0-0
HomeCIN0-0
Pick the winner.
PFM ROAD AHEAD
2026 Cincinnati Bengals Strength of Schedule
Cincinnati has one of the league’s more favorable schedules at No. 30, with opponents averaging 77.5. Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars still give the schedule a real test, but one game against a current top-10 team keep the full road from looking as heavy as most.
Difficulty Rank#30No. 1 is toughest
Opponent PFM Avg.77.5Average across opponents
Next 3 Avg.80.4Upcoming opponents
Top-10 Matchups1Games vs. current top 10
Away games left8
Away opponent average77.2
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers78.6 PFM · #20
Sep 13 · 1:00 pmHome
at Houston Texans83.8 PFM · #11
Sep 20 · 1:00 pmAway
at Pittsburgh Steelers78.8 PFM · #18
Sep 27 · 1:00 pmAway
Toughest remaining opponent: 
Kansas City Chiefs at 87.8 PFM.
PFM ReporterReported
Shemar Stewart avoids ligament damage
Shemar Stewart is expected to miss several weeks after hyperextending his knee, but testing showed no ligament damage.
The injury temporarily weakens Cincinnati's defensive-front depth without changing the longer-term evaluation. It's safe to say this defense can't afford him missing any time.
Sources: NFL.com
Around the League
League Context
Closest Team DNA Match
Built Like Washington Commanders
Washington CommandersMatch distance: 3.04 rating points
Shared profile: Defense and Roster Strength.
Cincinnati finds coverage time for the rush through coverage and the defensive front, while Washington finds pressure without heavy blitzing through coverage and the defensive front. Defensive Rating and Roster Strength line up because the front has help behind it and the lineup can survive when the preferred matchup disappears. The separation is Coaching Direction, where the coaching staff gives Washington the more settled answer after opponents force an adjustment.
Where they separate: Coaching Direction. Commanders hold the stronger current rating.
Division Pressure
AFC North
Baltimore has the AFC North's deeper roster, but Joe Burrow keeps the divisional gap smaller than the overall grades suggest. Cincinnati has to win first down with its rebuilt front; otherwise Lamar Jackson controls the pace while Burrow waits for another must-score possession.
Supporting Team Information
More About the Team
Badge History1 active badge · Last verified change Jul 17, 2026
- Jul 17, 2026 · Badge tracking startedEarned Quarterback Edge
Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl Era
Cincinnati has made 3 trips to the Super Bowl without a championship.
- Super Bowl Titles
- 0
- Super Bowl Appearances
- 3
- Super Bowl Record
- 0–3
- Last Appearance
- 2022 Super Bowl LVI
Current Injuries
PFM ratings updated
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