Week 3 Cincinnati Bengals Power Rankings Roundup

· Yahoo Sports

Sep 20, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) celebrates after defeating the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Cincinnati Bengals are 2-0, but more importantly, they got a quality win in Houston against the Texans last Sunday.

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As a result of a dominant defensive performance against a team that just lit up the Buffalo Bills, the Bengals jumped in the power rankings of all the major outlets. Read below:

ESPNNo. 9 ↑6

“Joe Burrow is a tough customer. … he made all the necessary plays to steer the Bengals to their first 2-0 start with him as a healthy quarterback.” – Ben Baby

NFL.comNo. 3 ↑1

“Dexter Lawrence has transformed this Bengals front, and everyone is benefitting.” – Nick Shook

Yahoo! SportsNo. 5 ↑7

“The Texans’ run game was simply dreadful on Sunday when it had to carry the offense with receiver Nico Collins out.” – Frank Schwab

USA TODAYNo. 6 ↑3

“Who are these guys? The six points allowed Sunday were tied for Cincinnati’s fewest in a game in the past decade.” – Nate Davis

Pro Football TalkNo. 3 ↑4

“Joe Burrow can’t keep taking these kinds of beatings.” – Mike Florio

Sports IllustratedNo. 6 ↑7

“We have not seen anything close to peak Bengals right now… I pray the team remains averse to the kind of injury witchcraft that normally derails its season.” – Conor Orr

Sporting NewsNo. 6 ↑5

“The Bengals have shaken off their history of slow starting under Zac Taylor with a second successful 2-0 start.” – Vinnie Iyer

CBS SportsNo. 4 ↑4

“The defense has been much improved, which is why they are up this high. Joe Burrow hasn’t even gotten it going yet.” – Pete Prisco

New York PostNo. 5 ↑7

“Ja’Marr Chase made a spectacular toe-dragging 32-yard touchdown catch for the first of his two scores against the vaunted Texans’ defense.” – Ryan Dunleavy

Up next, the Bengals face the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road.

We previewed that game with ESPN’s Ben Baby and Urinating Tree, a Steelers fan who relentlessly covers the team.

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