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NFL power rankings: Training camp edition

By Brad Weiss

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots raises the Vince Lombardi trophy after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime of Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots raises the Vince Lombardi trophy after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime of Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – JUNE 15: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws a pass during the Cincinnati Bengals minicamp on June 15, 2017, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – JUNE 15: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws a pass during the Cincinnati Bengals minicamp on June 15, 2017, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
23

Cincinnati Benglas

, AFC North

The Cincinnati Bengals usually go into a season with one of the more talented rosters in all of football. The same case can be made for the 2017 version of the team, although they always seem to come up short. Head coach Marvin Lewis has still yet to win a playoff game, and missing the playoffs again in 2017 could mean the end of his somewhat successful run with the organization.

Andy Dalton returns as the team’s starting quarterback, and he was a Pro Bowler a year ago. With their first round pick, the Bengals selected John Ross from Washington, who should team well with A.J. Green at the wide receiver position. Tyler Eifert is one of the better tight ends in the AFC, and once again, this offense should be able to put up points in bunches.

The most controversial move the team made this offseason was bringing in Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon with their second-round pick. Mixon was involved in an ugly situation during his time with the Sooners, and many questioned whether or not a team would give him a chance. Well, the Bengals came calling, and now have a backfield that includes Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, and the aforementioned Mixon.

Cincinnati is no slouch on defense, either, as both Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins are tough up front on the defensive line. Vontaze Burfict, while a bonehead at times, is one of the better linebackers in the NFL, and will need to step up with Rey Maualuga gone. Oft-troubled cornerback Adam Jones will miss Week 1 due to some off-the-field issues this offseason, but he anchors a solid defensive backfield. The pieces are in place for Cincinnati, but the odds are, they are going to be missing the playoffs again in 2017.

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