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Bold predictions for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2023 season

By Lou Scataglia

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 29: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs prior to the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 29: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs prior to the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /
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The Cincinnati Bengals are a true Super Bowl-contending team. Let’s make some bold predictions for the team heading into the 2023 season.  The Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs are the elite of the elite in the AFC, and it’s a very good bet that one of those teams will be in the Super Bowl in the 2023 season.

After all, since 2019, it’s been either the Bengals or Chiefs in the Super Bowl.  The Bengals are enjoying the rapid ascension of Joe Burrow, who is a top-three QB in the NFL.  The two sides will likely agree on a mega-contract extension sometime this offseason, keeping Burrow in Cincy for the long-term.

They had a solid offseason and look poised to pick up where they left off in 2021 and 2022.  Let’s make some bold predictions for the 2023 season.

Bold predictions for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2023 season

Bengals win AFC North by at least two games

I think people are making too much of the teams in the AFC North not named the Bengals.  Cincy is, by far, the best team in that division, and are going to continue to win it for years to come.  In fact, not only will they win it in 2023, but they’ll win it by at least two games, so it won’t be a super tight race.

While people project the Steelers to breakout and the Ravens to be a strong team now that Lamar Jackson is extended, the Bengals will continue to roll their eyes in smile as they skip their way through the division.

Bengals’ Joe Burrow wins the NFL MVP award

Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes honestly might be the Brady vs. Manning of this generation.  However you slice it, Burrow is going to win a Super Bowl in the NFL and will also win an MVP award.  Patrick Mahomes won his second MVP award in 2022, and Burrow will play catch-up in 2023.

Burrow is an elite passer and has the capabilities to throw for 40+ touchdowns and 5,000+ yards in the right scenarios.  He’ll win the MVP award in 2022.

Bengals earn AFC’s #1 seed and a second Super Bowl berth in three years

The Cincinnati Bengals will do their business in 2023 and earn the #1 seed in the AFC.  To do so, they will likely have to beat both the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.  Last year, they beat the Chiefs in the regular season and the Bills in the postseason.

I don’t see the Bills as a legitimate threat for a couple of reasons, and the Bengals seem to best the Chiefs in the regular season when they do meet.  I trust the Bengals defense the most out of the three units, and I think that’s very vital, as all three offenses are truly potent and established.

I think the Cincinnati Bengals having the strongest defense of the three is going to propel them to a 13-4 season, #1 seed, and an eventual berth in the Super Bowl.

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