Kyle Brandt revealed his selections to make the AFC playoffs on Good Morning Football Tuesday morning. The Cincinnati Bengals were not among the teams he chose to make it to the playoffs.
After missing the playoffs for three straight seasons, it seems the Bengals still have a lot to prove when it comes to the media. Brandt selected the Baltimore Ravens to win the AFC North this season. A pick that going into this season is at least understandable.
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The Ravens have won the AFC North two out of the last three seasons. The rushing attack returns Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. For a preseason prediction, there is at least nothing egregious about this one, even if it isn’t the selection I would have personally made.
The more interesting selection came with his final wild card team. Brandt chose the Tennessee Titans to nab the final wild card spot for the AFC.
Robert Salah takes over as the head coach for the Titans, with Cam Ward entering his second season as the starting quarterback. While I do expect that defense to keep them competitive in a lot of games, I just don’t think they have the offensive firepower to be a playoff team this year.
If we see the Titans make the playoffs over the Bengals something has gone seriously wrong. The Bengals added Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, Cashius Howell, and Bryan Cook as key contributors to a revamped defense. The entire starting offensive line returns for the first time in the Joe Burrow era. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are the best receiver tandem in the entire NFL.
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Elsewhere, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell’s 2026 season predictions also do not have the Bengals making it back to the postseason. Barnwell has the Chiefs, Patriots, Ravens, and Texans winning their respective AFC divisions, while the Bills, Broncos, and Steelers of all teams get the Wild Card spots. He also has the Chiefs beating the Eagles to win the Super Bowl.
There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic as Bengals fans heading into the first game of the season on Sunday. It appears they will have to convince a lot of the media as the season goes.
Personally, I don’t mind them being underdogs in the eyes of the talking heads around the league. The time is now, go out and show the world exactly who you are. It is time to make a run at winning the whole thing this season.
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