​Now that July has arrived, the Cincinnati Bengals are gearing up for training camp, aiming to embark on a journey that could end with the franchise back in the Super Bowl. To reach that destination, Cincinnati will have to contend with an AFC North that might feature three playoff contenders—the Bengals themselves, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Pittsburgh Steelers—while the Cleveland Browns are expected to stay near the lower end of the NFL pecking order.
A major reason the Bengals haven’t logged more playoff appearances is their struggle to win within their own division. They did win the North in 2021 and 2022, but since then they’ve finished fourth in 2023, third in 2024, and third again in 2025. They haven’t posted a winning regular-season record in division play since 2021. Last season, Cincinnati went 3-3 and split with each of their three divisional foes. So, what might 2026 hold for them?
Share your thoughts in the poll below and leave comments to weigh in on the conversation! Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of NFL fans from across the country. Throughout the year, we pen questions for the most plugged-in Bengals supporters and fans nationwide. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. Who DEY! for a stronger SEO presence.