It’s a long way to January, and after four straight exits in the Wildcard round, the Bengals can’t judge a season as successful until they win at least one playoff game.
But nobody in the AFC North woke up Monday morning feeling better about their play -- or their situation -- than the 3-0 Bengals.
The Bengals won a wild one Sunday, 28-24, to drop the Ravens to 0-3. The Ravens play Thursday night at the 2-1 Steelers, who lost quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in their win Sunday. The 1-2 Browns are still the Browns.
No one inside will say it, but the Bengals see opportunity to create some space between themselves and the rest of the division. And though that whole big game thing still looms, Andy Dalton has been sharp and efficient in delivering the ball to A.J. Green, Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert. Maybe it was a little over the top last week when Ravens coach John Harbaugh called the Bengals the most talented team in the NFL, but they’re in the discussion.
The Bengals host the Chiefs, who will be on a short-week situation, next Sunday. They host the Seahawks on Oct. 11, then play at the Bills before a bye week, after which they play at the Steelers in what may or may not be Roethlisberger’s first game back from a knee injury. There are no easy games in that stretch, but there is opportunity for the Bengals to stay hot and create some separation.