Week 1 - Bengals Power Ranking Roundup

[Murdock2420]

(09-07-2021, 06:05 PM)JaggedJimmyJay Wrote: I doubt anyone is ranking the Bengals 29th right now because Mike Brown had a team go 3-13 in 1992.

Zac Taylor's record may indeed color their views, but that would also be a problem -- these national outlets do not know or understand this roster, and it's not just a Bengals phenomenon. It's what makes the rankings so silly. You can just take 2020's final standings, reshuffle them with slight variation, add a team with an injury return somewhere, and call it an article.

I would say they know it and understand it better then any fan does actually. Fans are passionate about their team and will make excuses for this guy or that guy, where the national outlets just look at the grades from different sources and just take an objective approach.

It would be very rare to see a coach go from as bad as Taylor has been to suddenly a 8 or 9 game winner. The fact is almost every NFL team has talent and a decent amount of talent on their roster (unless you are the Texans). The difference comes down to scouting and finding those hidden gems, and of course the big one of coaching and getting the most out of your roster, making adjustments and calling plays. What over the past two seasons, makes you or should make anyone think that this coaching staff is going to flip a switch and suddenly win 8 or 9 games? 

Until Taylor shows signs of calling a good game and making the right adjustments and Lou calls a good defensive season and this team isn't getting run all over, the low 20 ranking is earned and correct.