The Cincinnati Bengals started the season 2-0, but we couldn’t even enjoy it because the news that Joe Burrow would miss at least three months, if not the rest of the season, with a serious turf toe injury followed.
The team made the surprising move this week to acquire Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco, and they plan on starting him this Sunday.
A reason for this move may be seeing that they do have a chance to at least position themselves for a Burrow return, as their remaining schedule is one of the softest remaining.
The Bengals have the third easiest remaining schedule according to Tankathon.
1. Giants (SOS: .621)
…
30. Bengals (SOS: .420)
31. Broncos (SOS: .407)
32. Patriots (SOS: .305)@WLWT— Jaron May (@jaron_may) October 9, 2025
Of course, the other reason is seeing a division and conference that is still very much up in the air, with most of the usual suspects struggling out of the gate.
After dropping three straight, Cincinnati sits at 2-3. However, that is still good for second in the AFC North as the Pittsburgh Steelers are just 3-1 after a bye week, and both the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns sit at 1-4.
You also look at the top of the AFC, and the Bengals are not that far out of things. The Buffalo Bills are 4-1 and are about the only ones of the usual faces at the top. The Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars are also 4-1. But then there are just four years that are 3-2 or 3-1.
If Flacco and the Bengals are able to rip off a few wins, it could very well position them to be competing for a Wild Card spot or the AFC North when/if Burrow is able to return.
There are plenty of “ifs” left to play out, but the front office did decide to make a move rather than just sit idly by as Jake Browning continued to play recklessly with the ball.
