As Evan McPherson’s 32 yard field goal goes straight down the middle of the uprights. There is mass emotion all across the football nation. The crowd in Arrowhead is stunned, as their Chiefs who looked invincible only an hour and a half ago had officially blown a 21-3 lead. Patrick Mahomes looked like Patrick Stewart in his Charles Xavier wheelchair playing Quarterback in the second half rather than the QB who was hosting his fourth consecutive AFC Championship game in his first four years as a full time starter. The Cincinnati Bengals, known as the laughing stock in all of football and across professional sports for decades have made it to the Super Bowl. These same Bengals who started 0-11 and went 2-14 just two years ago were in the Super Bowl. Quarterback Joe Burrow who had his rookie year end short because of a devastating knee injury that looked so bad many thought he would miss his entire sophomore season. Joe didn’t just make it back for training camp. He made it through the entire season (sacked 51 times and all) healthy and will almost certainly finish in the top three in MVP voting. Burrow lead the Bengals from 2 wins (the year before he was drafted 1st overall) to 4 wins to 10 wins and an AFC North Championship. We all thought that the division championship was a great stepping stone for a young team and if they could beat the Raiders in the first round that would be a great building block going into next season. But the Bengals just kept on finding ways to win games once they got to the playoffs. From key turnovers by the defense, to clutch throws from Joe cool, to a Super human rookie place kicker that is giving another kicker in the division a run for his money for the title of best kicker in the game. Before we knew it the Bengals were here, in the Super Bowl. How in the hell did this happen? Nobody saw it coming, not even Bengals fans could have seen this coming. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest moves that made this possible. Also, why should we all believe in our favorite team to be the next Bengals in the not so distant future.
2020: Drafting Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins
The Bengals were void of talent for sure heading into the 2020 season. They were coming off a 2-14 season in which many in the media were already wanting to run head coach Zach Taylor out of town. Zach Taylor was never even a coordinator under Sean McVay in Los Angeles (look who they meet in the Super Bowl, yes Alanis isn’t that ironic, don’t you think!!). The Bengals were not really a poorly coached team though but was more of a team that did not have any playmakers on either side of the ball. More of an indictment of a team that had aging stars (A.J Green, Geno Atkins) and did not have any reinforcements behind them. In 2020 the Bengals nailed their first two draft picks which would be the catalyst for this quick turnaround. They drafted Joe Burrow out of LSU first overall. Burrow who got exiled out of Ohio State for Dwayne Haskins (nice move Urban Meyer) was very underwhelming his Junior Year at LSU (his first season in Baton Rouge). But in his senior year Joe would put together the best Quarterback season in the history of college football. How does a 76.1 completion percentage, 5,671 yards passing and 60 touchdowns sound? He balked at going to the Bengals first overall but as the draft got closer Joe would subside his displeasure of playing for his home state Bengals and when he got drafted said the right things and hit the ground running. Tee Higgins was drafted with the first pick in the second round (33rd overall) out of Clemson. At 6’4, and 215 pounds Higgins had the rare skill of size and speed but lacked some refinement as a route runner coming out of college. All of those questions have been put to rest as Higgins had an outstanding start to his season averaging 1,000 yards receiving through his first two seasons. Higgins would have two clutch receptions in the game sealing drive in the Bengals 27-24 overtime victory over the Chiefs on Sunday.
2021: Drafting Ja’Marr Chase and Evan McPherson, signing Eli Apple and Trey Hendrickson
2021 was the year that the Bengals went from a young up and coming team to a true contender. Wide Receiver Ja’Marr Chase was drafted fifth overall out of LSU. This pick was widely criticized by the media as the Bengals could have drafted stand out left tackle Penei Sewell to shore up a porous offensive line that left Joe Burrow out to dry far too many times in his rookie season that led to his knee injury. The media was looking even more right when Chase would have three drops in a preseason game against Washington. However, the doubters would be put to rest right away as Chase would have 5 catches for 101 yards including an electrifying 50 yard touchdown catch in a 27-24 Week 1 overtime victory over the Vikings. Chase would put up one of the best rookie seasons in NFL History having 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. Evan McPherson was drafted in the 5th round out of Florida. Many pundits would criticize the Bengals for drafting a kicker anywhere in the draft but far more specifically in the fifth round. McPherson would have a solid rookie season hitting 28 of 33 field goals. But in the playoffs is where McPherson has been an absolute demon. He’s hit 12 of 12 field goals including three from 50 plus. Seeing the Packers special teams be the sole reason why they are home instead of in L.A in two weeks proves that place kicking and special teams matters more than you think. Corner Eli Apple and defensive end Trey Hendrickson were two under the radar signings that helped the Bengals go from terrible (30th in 2019) to respectable (18th this season). When you have one of the most dynamic offenses in football having a defense that is competent is good enough to make you a contender. The biggest thing about the defense is how great situationally they have been. From forcing a Dalvin Cook overtime fumble in Week 1 to a clutch interception of Patrick Mahomes in the AFC Championship game. The defense has been solid especially in big spots all season long.
Who could be the next Bengals?
Jaguars- They have Trevor Lawrence and 58 million in cap space this upcoming offseason. Two good drafts and a homerun head coach and GM hire and we could be having the newest biggest cocktail party in the world in Duvall County.
Jets- Zach Wilson has the talent to be the real deal. The team did not quit on Robert Saleh and they beat the Bengals this season. They have a talented skill position group and anyone who says they are the Jets have to remember the freaking Cincinnati Bengals are in the Super Bowl!!!
Texans- Davis Mills, Davis Mills, Davis Mills, Davis Mills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Broncos- Broncos could be here next year with one guy coming to town. His name is Aaron Freaking Rodgers!!! I lived in Denver for 11 years there is a lot of hippies in Denver and even more in Boulder. Aaron and Shailene would fit right in.
Giants- I don’t know how about Russell Wilson comes to town. The Giants shed some bad contracts and Russ and Daboll bring big results to the big Apple by year two.
WFT- The defensive line returns to form. The fighting footballs find their franchise Quarterback. Dan Synder is forced to sell the team!!
Lions- Dan Campbell clones 22 Dan Campbell’s. Matthew Stafford decides he feels sorry for the Lions and returns after winning a title in Los Angeles. Amon Ra-St. Brown becomes the second coming of Jerry Rice (it’s 1 percent possible, dude is awesome!!).
Bears- Justin Fields is the best Bears Quarterback since Sid Luckman. The roster gets revamped on both offense and defense. Mike Ditka comes out of retirement to become daaaaa coach.
Panthers- Christian McCaffrey can stay healthy for a full season. Cam Newton is no longer the starter. Sam Darnold is no longer the starter. Teddy Bridgewater is no longer the starter. P.J Walker is no longer the starter. Kerry Collins is no longer the starter. Pretty much the Panthers get a quarterback, improved offensive line and Christian McCaffrey stays healthy and they might be the best candidate outside of the Broncos to be great in two years out of this group.
Falcons- They get a do over in Super Bowl 51.
See I just gave hope to every fan base who’s team was bad in 2021 to believe they could be playing in Vegas for the who kit and kaboodle in just two short years. If the Bengals can do it you can do it. You just have to believe in your team. Get a little bit of blind luck and good fortune. Lastly, have a Quarterback who is as cool as Joe Burrow. Shoot there’s only one Joe Burrow. Those 10 teams above are screwed. Well except the Texans because they have Davis freaking Mills!!