The Cincinnati Bengals enjoyed a bye week that let key players like Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins rest up injuries before a tough second half of the season.
But the bye couldn’t have gone worse for the Bengals when it comes to how things played out elsewhere in the AFC North.
Every other team in the division won while the Bengals still sit in last place at 3-3. The 5-2 Ravens blew out the Lions 38-6 and both the Steelers and Browns benefitted from controversial referee decisions late in their respective games, with the Steelers moving to 4-2 after beating the Rams and the Browns also 4-2 after beating the Colts.
Here’s how Bengals fans and media reacted to a bye week that featured not even a single thing going right for them in the standings.
Browns win.
Steelers win.
Ravens win.Not a great bye week for the Bengals…
— Jared Arevian (@JaredArevian_) October 22, 2023
legit sick for the Colts
game of the year contender. and refs make two calls back to back.
Browns made plays in this game, too.
but refs gonna ref
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) October 22, 2023
Refs bailing out Browns in back to back
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) October 22, 2023
Refs handing the browns wins wasn’t something I had on my 2023 bingo card.
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) October 22, 2023
The Browns would be 2-4 right now if the NFL had competent refs.
— DarthNoobSaibot (@DarthNoobSaibot) October 22, 2023
Steelers bailed out by the refs too
— Faux Joey Brrr (@FauxJeaux) October 22, 2023
The AFC North after 7 weeks:
1. Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
3. Cleveland Browns (4-2)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)Gotta be the toughest division in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/Tt69c2LNVL
— Cincinnati 💔 (@CincyProblems) October 23, 2023
I have a spicy bold prediction..
So all of the AFC north teams won today but I’m predicting that they all lose next weekend except for the Bengals. Could look like a total idiot but just a feeling I have. pic.twitter.com/fWJxzvyR5r
— Chaston Scott (@CinCity808) October 23, 2023
No more room for error in the AFC North this year. Bengals have to come out after this bye week and get a win against the 49ers.
By far, the best division in football.
Imagine creating an All-AFC North Team…
— Matthew McAdow (@MattsTake1) October 23, 2023
Bengals winless against the rest of the AFC North before the bye in 2022: goes undefeated against the AFC North after the bye
Bengals winless against the rest of the AFC North before the bye in 2023: ???
It’s not an impossible hole to climb but it starts now
— Brayden (@brayH01) October 23, 2023
AFC North only division with all teams .500 or better. The Bengals who are best team in division are last, tells you all you know. They're getting healthier. They'll take it back. So far, North is playing the best ball above any other division top to bottom
— Heat Season (@HeatSeason) October 23, 2023
No comment on the AFC North teams all winning other than the Bengals are in a hole and the 49ers game feels like yet another must win for this team
— Bengals Graphics (@BengalsGraphic5) October 22, 2023
