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The Cincinnati Bengals have a rich history of success in the NFL. While Cincinnati have not won a Super Bowl, they have made it to four AFC Championships and won three of them. The Bengals have been blessed with some legendary players, including QB Boomer Esiason and WR Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.
Cincinnati is in good hands in the modern era thanks in large part to QB Joe Burrow. The Bengals always have a chance to win with Burrow under center. If the team can get back on track in 2025, they could have another memorable season worthy of the history books.
But which Bengals team is the best of all time? And could the 2025 Bengals make their way onto this list if they make the playoffs?
Below we will explore the 10 greatest Bengals teams in franchise history.
Regular Season Record: 9-8
Result: Missed playoffs
Superlative: Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase have career seasons
Maybe it is recency bias, but I can’t help but include the 2024 Bengals on this list.
The idea of “what could have been” seasons appear a lot on these lists. And I think the 2024 Bengals are a great example of that phenomenon.
That “what if” is the Bengals actually having a fast, or even decent, start to the regular season.
Cincinnati had an awful start to the 2024 season, losing to a pitiful New England squad in Week 1.
Joe Burrow bounced back after his 2023 wrist injury. He threw for 4,918 yards with 43 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. It was unquestionably the best season of his young career.
Burrow helped Ja’Marr Chase win the NFL’s fifth ever triple crown, leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
The defense was atrocious, but Trey Hendrickson logged his second consecutive 17.5-sack season.
Unfortunately, the Bengals would dig themselves too deep of a hole to crawl out of before the postseason. But it was a regular season to remember.
Regular Season Record: 10-6
Result: Lost against Jets 24-14 in Wild Card Round
Superlative: Swept AFC North
The 2009 Bengals deserve a spot simply for sweeping the AFC North for the first time in franchise history.
Cincinnati was more of a ground-and-pound team in 2009. They were led by Cedric Benson, who had a career season with 301 carries for 1,251 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Sadly, the 2009 season also included the tragic death of wide receiver Chris Henry late in the regular season.
Regular Season Record: 11-5
Result: Lost against Chargers 27-10 in Wild Card Round
Superlative: Perfect home record, well-rounded roster
A.J. Green went off during his third season in the NFL. He received a whopping 180 targets for an average of just over 11 targets per game. Green turned those targets into 98 receptions for 1,426 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Green helped lead the Bengals to a perfect 8-0 record at home during the regular season.
Cincinnati also...
