Massive spikes in the power rankings were inevitable if the Cincinnati Bengals started winning games again.
And here the Bengals go after winning two straight, most recently surviving the Seattle Seahawks to hit 3-3 by the bye week.
In the best example of this, the Bengals skyrocket 10 spots up the rankings from USA Today’s Nate Davis:
12. Bengals (22): They leveled back to .500 entering a much-needed bye week. QB Joe Burrow, WR Tee Higgins and Co. better rest up, though, because they’re not scheduled to face a team currently below .500 until Week 15, a stretch that starts with the Niners and Bills.
That mentioned upcoming stretch for the Bengals is indeed brutal, yet with Joe Burrow appearing healthier by the week and guys like Chidobe Awuzie and Tee Higgins getting the bye to rest up nagging issues, there’s certainly reason for optimism that they can keep winning games.
Until after the break, the Bengals will likely sit still in the rankings while fans get to focus on other fun things, like positions they should be targeting at the trade deadline.
