4. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
Cincy’s drop-off will not be because the team got worse, but because the rest of the division is catching up.
It’s hard to count the Baltimore Ravens or the Pittsburgh Steelers out for too long, and both teams made major upgrades during the offseason. The Bengals also improved, but they lost a critical part of their defense: coordinator Mike Zimmer.
I think the offense could get better, but the defense could get worse. And like the Chiefs, the team will never be able to compete with top-tier quarterbacks so long as Andy Dalton is under center.
2014:Â 8-8
