Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase take Bengals to playoffs in one analyst’s mind

The Cincinnati Bengals bandwagon isn’t overflowing by any means, but the longer the summer drags on, the more some seem to wake up to the idea the team could be much improved in 2021.

Kay Adams on GMFB has routinely said the Bengals are too slept-on though and again stressed the same thing on a recent episode, noting the following:

“I’m not even going to say that the addition of Chase helps Burrow lead the AFC North in passing yards. I think it helps lead this team to the playoffs…Here’s the thing, we have expanded playoffs, three teams made it out of this division last year and I think this Bengals team got a lot better than people realize.”

Much still has to go right along the offensive line, let alone with Joe Burrow’s rehab, for he and Ja’Marr Chase to lift the Bengals to the playoffs.

That said, the on-paper outlook for an explosive offense certainly looks good. And it’s worth pointing out the expanded playoffs. While Baltimore figures to stay strong in the AFC North, there’s always a chance the Bengals could wiggle past a Cleveland or Pittsburgh.

Going from four wins to playoffs in 2021 would be a dramatic swing, but as Adams even notes with perfect examples, wilder things have happened in recent years.

Joe Burrow will lead AFC North QBs in passing yards in 2021.

oKay or noKay??

“I’m not even gonna say the addition of @Real10jayy__ helps @JoeyB lead the AFC North in passing yards… I think it helps lead them to the playoffs.” — @heykayadams | @Bengals pic.twitter.com/yeUZZfT2tI

— GMFB (@gmfb) July 23, 2021