NFL power rankings: Vikings, Eagles fight for top spot

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) ,Minnesota Vikings cornerback Terence Newman (23), and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) take a breather during a NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals on December 17, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.The Vikings defeated the Bengals 34-7.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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26. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals defied any logical sense and re-signed head coach Marvin Lewis to a two-year extension. A team that provides the textbook definition of average seems to take that notion with pride. However, credit is due to the front office for landing the Cordy Glenn trade, which fills the biggest offseason need. Moving back to No. 21 in the first-round still gives the Bengals the opportunity to add another tackle like Mike McGlinchey, etc. But if we’re going off power rankings based up to this point, the Bengals are still a mediocre football team.

It seems like the top talent on the roster is past their best years. A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert can’t consistently stay on the field and are more injury-prone than helpful. Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins are the unheralded leaders on defense but begin to enter a decline now in their 30’s. Andy Dalton can win games but will never make the jump to the next tier of elite quarterbacks. Through seven seasons you know what you’re going to get out of him.

Their miracle win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 was a storybook ending but one of the lone bright spots for the Bengals last season. After five straight postseason appearances, they’ve failed to make the playoffs the last two years. Is there really confidence this team is any different from what we saw last season? Not at this point.

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