Analyst has bold Bengals prediction for 2026

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Analyst has bold Bengals prediction for 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cincinnati Bengals have underwhelmed over the past couple of seasons, as Joe Burrow has struggled to stay healthy.

Having one of the top offenses in the league and a defense that can't stop anyone hasn't been a successful recipe for the Bengals.

Also, they haven't made the playoffs in the last three seasons and haven't won more than nine games in a season during that span.

But in his bold predictions piece for Fox Sports, Eric Williams has the Bengals going on a deep playoff run...finally.

"Cincinnati has the advantage of most continuity in the division, including all 11 players returning for one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL and one of the top quarterbacks in the league when healthy in Burrow," Williams wrote. "If the LSU product can stay upright, it’s the Bengals best shot at reaching the Super Bowl since Burrow led them there after the 2021 season. If not, the Bengals have an experienced backup with a Super Bowl ring in Flacco."

MORE: Bills tipped to reclaim AFC East throne in 2026

All eyes on No. 9 in 2026​

In my opinion, it won't matter how much the defense improves and how good the coaching is if Joe Burrow isn't healthy, the Bengals are dead in the water.

Keeping No. 9 healthy has to be the Bengals' priority.

Just one full season in the last three isn't great for a franchise quarterback, and for a player who impacts his team the way Joe does, he's got to figure out a way to stay on the field.

Yes, the defense must improve, as in 2024, Burrow was in MVP form, but the defense was so bad that the Bengals went 9-8.

But as we turn for 2026, all eyes will be on Burrow to see if he can lead the Bengals to the postseason for the first time in three years.

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