All signs are pointing to a better season than last year.
With a 9-8 record in 2023, it’s safe to say that Cincinnati had a different season than they would have hoped for. The Bengals got off to a 0-2 start, and injuries to Burrow and other Bengals suddenly made the AFC North less competitive. If Joe Burrow had a healthy season, the final standings and outcomes could have been very different.
However, now the 2023 season is behind us, and the 2024 campaign is full of possibilities now that Burrow is getting healthier and stronger. So, there’s a real possibility that the Bengals can clinch the AFC North this year, but nothing in the NFL is guaranteed.
So with that said, let’s look at two reasons why the Bengals could clinch the division in 2024, and two reasons why they might not.
Will Clinch: A Healthy Joe Burrow
If Joe Burrow has a healthy 2024 season, the possibilities are wide open. Burrow has dealt with a lot of injuries over the years, which has inevitably affected games and the team’s overall record, so if he can have a healthy year, clinching the AFC North is very possible. Burrow finished out the 2023 season with 2,309 passing yards and 15 touchdowns despite only playing in 10 games.
Despite the injuries last season, Burrow still had great moments, like Week 8’s 31-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Against this powerhouse team, Burrow had three touchdowns, 283 passing yards, and no interceptions. With a powerful offensive line in front of Burrow and a plethora of weapons around him, the Bengals bouncing back and taking the AFC North is a real possibility.
Won’t Clinch: The Running Back Shift
Perhaps the biggest offseason move for the Bengals was the Joe Mixon trade, a move that shocked and saddened fans. While trades happen and players come and go, this move was risky. Hopefully it pays off and Zack Moss can prove to be a powerful asset. Interestingly, the Bengals running back squad is ranked pretty low in the NFL, and now, Cincinnati is still reportedly looking to add another running back to the mix.
The running back position is arguably one of the most important positions. It would be pretty hard to imagine the San Francisco 49ers without Christian McCaffrey or even the Detroit Lions without David Montgomery. If Cincinnati doesn’t get solid running back production, clinching the AFC North would pretty much be out of the question.
Will Clinch: The 2024 Schedule
I know what you’re thinking, because at a glance, the schedule looks hard. From the Ravens, to the Browns, to the Eagles, it appears that the Bengals have a tough schedule. And that may be true, but the perceived more dominant team in any matchup doesn’t always win. In 2023, when the New York Giants faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 18, it was believed that the Eagles were going to be the clear frontrunner, but the unexpected happened, and the Giants came away with the win, 27-10.
The point is, the Bengals have won against hard teams and can do it again. Plus, a few easier teams are on the schedule, such as the New England Patriots, the Carolina Panthers, and the Denver Broncos. In addition, according to Sharp Football Analysis, the Bengals have a relatively easy schedule, especially compared to the rest of the division. If the Bengals can lock in and make smart moves, a better record and season should be in their future.
Won’t Clinch: The Ravens, Browns, and Steelers
Obviously the other teams in the AFC North will pose a huge obstacle to Cincinnati getting that top spot. The AFC North, without a doubt, has become one of the most competitive divisions in the entire NFL. The Ravens have a talented team, and with Lamar Jackson resigned and healthy, they have only flourished. Between Mark Andrews and the newly-acquired running back Derrick Henry, they will be contenders this season for sure.
The Browns are also a team that the Bengals have struggled against, and they flourished last year with Joe Flacco under center. With a healthy Deshaun Watson, they should be dangerous again. Plus with Russell Wilson as the new starting quarterback in Pittsburgh, the Steelers should definitely be a team to look out for. Ultimately, these rival teams will make the way to the top of the division very difficult Cincinnati.
Ultimately, clinching the AFC North and getting that redemption season won’t be easy, or a given for Cincinnati. But with a healthy Burrow, smart choices, and a little luck, taking the division certainly shouldn’t be out of the question for the Bengals in 2024.
