Cincinnati Bengals
Ohio franchise that produced Ken Anderson, Boomer Esiason, and Ickey Woods before a 30-year title drought ended with a Super Bowl run in 2022 led by Joe Burrow.
Pantheon Standing
| List Name | Rank | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| Greatest NFL Franchises of All Time | #1 | 96.0 |
The Age Divide
Voters under 30 and over 35 rank Cincinnati Bengals significantly differently across lists.
The Athletic Record
The Case For Cincinnati Bengals
“The longevity argument alone puts them in a category of one. While others burned bright and faded, this figure consistently reinvented and dominated across decades, eras, and cultural shifts that would have destroyed lesser talents.”
“Technically unmatched. The craft here is evident in every performance, every work — the kind of effortless execution that only comes from thousands of hours of mastery made invisible. They make the impossible look inevitable.”
“Commercial success should never be held against artistic legacy. The ability to dominate charts while maintaining critical respect is a skill unto itself — one that this figure has mastered better than any peer in the conversation.”
Rank History
Ranking history will be available once voting opens for Cincinnati Bengals.
Often Compared To
Cleveland Browns
#2NFL / AFC North — Cleveland, Ohio · 1946–present
Ohio franchise whose history includes Jim Brown — the greatest running back in NFL history — and a loyal fanbase that has endured one of the sport's most painful championship droughts.
Pittsburgh Steelers
#3NFL / AFC North — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · 1933–present
The most successful franchise in AFC history with six Super Bowl titles — the Steel Curtain defense and Chuck Noll's 1970s dynasty set the gold standard for NFL excellence.