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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings

PFM Archetype Offense or Bust

79.4PFM Team Score

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

Offense84.2No. 10

Defense73.0No. 29

Coaching Direction73.8No. 21

PFM Team DNA

Cincinnati Bengals Team DNA

View all NFL team rankings

PFM category scores · 0–100 scale

QB Stability88.1No. 1 in NFLMajor Strength

Offense84.2No. 10 in NFLStrength

Explosiveness81.3No. 10 in NFLWatch

Roster Strength81.1No. 11 in NFLWatch

Franchise Direction74.7No. 22 in NFLConcern

Coaching Direction73.8No. 21 in NFLMajor Concern

Defense73.0No. 29 in NFLMajor Concern

Recent Performance70.8No. 24 in NFLMajor Concern

Identity

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.

Pressure Point

Defensive Consistency

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.

Joe Burrow Keeps Cincinnati Dangerous

Burrow’s timing and command of a deep receiving group drive the 4th-ranked quarterback situation. Cincinnati can ask him to control a game, but it cannot keep asking him to erase every defensive stop that never comes.

Cincinnati's Defense Leaves Too Little Margin

The defense ranks 18th, and the rebuilt front still has to finish drives. When it fails, Joe Burrow inherits another possession where a field goal is not enough.

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 2 games against current top-10 teams 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.80.8Upcoming opponents

Top-10 Matchups2Games vs. current top 10

Away games left8

Top-10 road opponents1

Week 1

vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers78.4 PFM · #20

Sep 13 · 1:00 pm

Home

Week 2

at Houston Texans84.8 PFM · #10

Sep 20 · 1:00 pm

AwayTop 10

Week 3

at Pittsburgh Steelers79.1 PFM · #17

Sep 27 · 1:00 pm

Away

Toughest remaining opponent: Kansas City Chiefs at 87.2 PFM.

See all 32 NFL strength of schedule rankings View Cincinnati Bengals’ full schedule breakdown

PFM Reporter

Shemar Stewart avoids ligament damage

Reported

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.

By Justin Fuhr

Analysis updatedJuly 30, 2026

Sources: NFL.com

Around the League

League Context

Closest Team DNA Match

Built Like Washington Commanders

Washington CommandersMatch distance: 3.00 rating points

Shared profile: Roster Strength and Explosiveness.

Cincinnati gets downfield pressure from the offensive line, while Washington gets matchup leverage from the offensive line. Roster Strength and Explosiveness line up because each lineup has more than one player capable of changing field position in a single snap. Washington owns the coaching edge because the coaching staff provides clearer structure when the first call does not solve the matchup.

Where they separate: Coaching Direction. Commanders hold the stronger current rating.

View Commanders dashboard Compare the teams

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.