Can the Bengals Reach Super Bowl LXI? Breaking Down SB Nation's Predictions

The Cincinnati Bengals have high expectations in 2026, and Jarrett Bailey of SB Nation put together a list of bold predictions for Cincinnati this upcoming season. Let's break them down.

Burrow has eclipsed 4,500 passing yards two times in his career, and it has become a benchmark for one of his best seasons. The most touchdowns he has thrown in a regular season is 43, and he would become the first quarterback since Patrick Mahomes in 2018 to reach 50 touchdown passes. Before Mahomes, Peyton Manning threw 55 touchdown passes in 2013.

The biggest threats to Ja'Marr Chase winning the Triple Crown would be Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks and Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams. Smith-Njigba led the NFL in receiving yards in 2025, while Nacua led the league in receptions. However, Chase and Burrow are the best quarterback-wide receiver duo in the NFL when healthy, and Chase would be the favorite to accomplish that feat heading into 2026.

This prediction depends on everything going right for the Bengals in 2026. There are plenty of candidates around the league who will make strong cases, including Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and others.

If Joe Burrow reaches 4,500 passing yards and 52 touchdowns, it would be reasonable to assume he would win the MVP award.

I think it will be one or the other: Either Burrow wins MVP or Chase wins Offensive Player of the Year. The NFL has shown an unwillingness to stack major awards on the same team. Chase would have to leave no doubt if Burrow also has an MVP-caliber season to win Offensive Player of the Year.

This is the expectation among many fans, especially when looking at the rest of the division. It almost feels like a two-team race between the Baltimore Ravens and the Bengals, but you never know. Mike McCarthy and the Steelers could do something special with Aaron Rodgers in what will likely be his final season.

Joe Brady reaching the AFC Championship Game in his first season as a head coach would be a significant accomplishment for the Bills, and Josh Allen will always be a contender to reach the Super Bowl. You could argue there is more pressure on the Bills to reach the Super Bowl than there is on the Bengals to make the playoffs.

The Cowboys have plenty of momentum entering the season with one of the best quarterback-wide receiver trios in the NFL: Dak Prescott, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Brian Schottenheimer, with a year of head coaching experience under his belt, should hit the ground running in 2026.

There may not be a team Bengals fans would hate losing to in the Super Bowl more than the Dallas Cowboys.