The Number 2 Pick to End a Super Bowl Drought and Why the Whole League Is Watching

Alright, 12s, let's talk some NFL! We're deep into the regular season now, and while our beloved Hawks are battling it out, there's chatter across the league about who's truly stepping up. And get this: CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo just dropped a list of 16 teams most likely to end their Super Bowl drought this season, and the Bengals, yeah, *the Bengals*, are sitting pretty at No. 2. Seriously, No. 2! Right behind the Buffalo Bills. This isn't some pre-draft hype, this is real talk about a team gearing up to make a run.

No Super Bowl Rings? No Problem, They Say!

Think about that for a second. The Bengals have never hoisted the Lombardi, just like the Bills. But the league is looking at them and saying, "This could be their year." It’s almost a weird bond between those two fan bases, united by past postseason heartbreaks and that incredible Damar Hamlin story from 2023. DeArdo's ranking puts them above some serious names, too. We're talking the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, and the Miami Dolphins. And get this, all the teams *on that list* who *have* won Super Bowls haven't seen one since 1995! So the Bengals are riding high in a field of hungry teams. <

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h2>Locked In and Laser Focused on a Title So, what's got everyone so hyped about the Bengals? Well, they're not messing around. They just wrapped up their mandatory minicamp, signaling the end of the OTA season before training camp kicks off on July 29th. Every single one of their seven draft picks? Signed, sealed, delivered. That's a huge step towards cohesion, right? And there's buzz about a potentially "high-impact" contract extension for cornerback DJ Turner. If they can lock him down, that's another piece secured. The word out of Ohio is that this team is singularly focused. They're trying to dodge all the distractions that apparently plagued their last three ramp-ups to the season. It’s a full-on "win now" mentality, and you've gotta respect that kind of focus. This week, their "Bengals Reacts" survey saw 38% of voters pick Amarius Mims as the likeliest player to snag a first-time Pro Bowl nod this season, with DJ Turner just behind at 37%. Whether it’s Mims or Turner, it's clear the fans see some serious talent emerging. So, while we'll be cheering on our Hawks every single down, it'll be fascinating to watch what the Bengals do with this incredible momentum. Keep your eyes peeled for those July 29th training camp reports, because if they keep this focus, the rest of the league needs to be ready.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.