Is This the Year the Bengals Finally Win It All?

By Jason Bolton July 08, 2025 21:12

The Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2025 NFL season with a mix of optimism and lingering questions. After a 9-8 finish in 2024 that left them just short of the playoffs, the franchise is once again poised on the cusp of greatness. With quarterback Joe Burrow leading an explosive offense and a revamped defensive staff aiming to fix last year’s glaring weaknesses, the question on every fan’s mind is: Is this the year the Bengals finally win it all?

Offense: Elite and Explosive

Joe Burrow’s 2024 campaign was nothing short of spectacular. Despite missing some games due to injury in prior seasons, Burrow led the league in completions, passing yards, and touchdowns, cementing his status as one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks. His chemistry with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins remains one of the league’s most potent passing attacks. Chase’s triple crown season, though cut short by injury, showcased his dominance, while Higgins signed a long-term deal, signaling stability in the receiving corps.

The Bengals averaged 27.8 points per game last season, ranking sixth in the NFL, a testament to their offensive prowess. This firepower is expected to continue, with Burrow’s leadership and precision passing at the core. As Burrow himself said, “We’ve got the pieces, and now it’s about putting it all together and finishing games.”

Defense: The X-Factor

If the offense is the Bengals’ strength, the defense remains the biggest question mark. Last year, Cincinnati’s defense allowed 25.5 points per game, ranking 25th in the league. More alarmingly, opponents scored touchdowns on nearly 68% of their red-zone trips, one of the worst rates in the NFL. This defensive frailty contributed to seven of their eight losses being by six points or fewer, underscoring how close the Bengals were to a playoff berth.

To address this, the Bengals hired Al Golden as defensive coordinator. Golden’s track record at Notre Dame, where he led one of the nation’s stingiest defenses, offers hope that Cincinnati’s defense can become more adaptable and resilient. However, Golden inherits a unit that has struggled to consistently apply pressure and cover effectively. The offseason draft focused heavily on defense, but many analysts remain cautiously optimistic. As one NFL scout noted, “Golden’s challenge is huge. The talent is there, but it’s about scheme and discipline now.”

Odds and Expectations

Oddsmakers are intrigued but measured. The Bengals’ odds to win the Super Bowl stand at +2000, placing them roughly seventh to ninth among NFL teams, with a 4.8% implied chance of winning it all. Their chances to win the AFC North hover around +230, reflecting a competitive division battle with the Ravens and Browns.

Cincinnati’s 9.5-win over/under for the regular season suggests expectations for a solid improvement over last year’s 9-8 record, with many projecting a double-digit win season. Yet, the Bengals’ 4-7 record in one-possession games last year highlights their struggle to close tight contests, a hurdle they must overcome to make a deep playoff run.

Can They Close the Deal?

The Bengals have come tantalizingly close in recent years, reaching the Super Bowl in 2021 but falling short. The core is still intact, led by Burrow’s MVP-caliber play and a dynamic offense. The defense’s improvement under Golden is the wild card. If Cincinnati can tighten up defensively and win the close games that slipped away last season, they have a legitimate shot at the franchise’s first Super Bowl title.

As Burrow put it, “We’ve learned from the past. This year, it’s about finishing. We’re hungry, and we believe we can get it done.”

In a league where margins are razor-thin, the Bengals’ blend of elite offense, defensive overhaul, and experience makes 2025 a compelling season. Whether it’s finally their year will depend on growth, health, and a little bit of luck but the pieces are certainly in place for Cincinnati to make a serious run at NFL glory.