ESPN Analyst Predicts 'Awesome' Bengals Will Win AFC North

Dan Orlovsky expects a steep turnaround from the Cincinnati Bengals in 2026.

Key points

• "I think the Bengals go 13-4 this year, " Orlovsky remarked on Friday's The Pat McAfee Show.
• That includes games against the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, and Patrick Mahomes should be healthy for their December encounter.
• Orlovsky predicted the Bengals to reclaim the AFC North with a gaudy record.
• The former quarterback anticipates changes if Cincinnati doesn't improve in 2026.

Dan Orlovsky expects a steep turnaround from the Cincinnati Bengals in 2026. The Bengals missed the playoffs for the third straight time with a 6-11 record last season, but they harbor hopes of returning to title contention behind a healthy Joe Burrow and revamped defense that continued Dexter Lawrence. Orlovsky predicted the Bengals to reclaim the AFC North with a gaudy record. "I think the Bengals go 13-4 this year, " Orlovsky remarked on Friday's The Pat McAfee Show. As they play 12 games against teams that posted a losing record last season, "I think they win the division." Orlovsky called Cincinnati's schedule the "softest in the league." ESPN's Football Power Index gives the Bengals the easiest strength of schedule. That includes games against the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, and Patrick Mahomes should be healthy for their December encounter. Orlovsky may have forgotten regarding that matchup when commenting on Cincinnati's opposition. "I don't know, outside of Lamar, the top quarterback that they will play against, " Orlovsky remarked. "They're not playing against a murderer's row of quarterbacks." Joe Burrow raised the level of urgency for a rebound when declaring that he's "tired of saying next year." Orlovsky interpreted Burrow's message to mean, "Win or I'm out." The former quarterback anticipates changes if Cincinnati doesn't improve in 2026. Outside of Drew Brees, Orlovsky couldn't recall plenty of cases of an elite quarterback missing the playoffs three or more consecutive times, so he can't imagine Burrow being content if it happens again. Orlovsky can envision Burrow wanting out if the offensive line and defense don't support him more, but the ESPN personality doesn't think the Bengals will have to agreement with that doomsday scenario. "I think it will be different, " Orlovsky declared. "I fully expect them to be an awesome team."

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See more of our trusted coverage when you search.to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Dan Orlovsky expects a steep turnaround from the Cincinnati Bengals in 2026.

Meanwhile, the Bengals missed the playoffs for the third straight time with a 6-11 record last season, but they harbor hopes of returning to title contention behind a healthy Joe Burrow and revamped defense that continued Dexter Lawrence. Orlovsky predicted the Bengals to reclaim the AFC North with a gaudy record.

"I think the Bengals go 13-4 this year, " Orlovsky remarked on Friday's The Pat McAfee Show. "I think they win the division."

As they play 12 games against teams that posted a losing record last season, orlovsky called Cincinnati's schedule the "softest in the league." ESPN's Football Power Index gives the Bengals the easiest strength of schedule.

That includes games against the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, and Patrick Mahomes should be healthy for their December encounter. Orlovsky may have forgotten regarding that matchup when commenting on Cincinnati's opposition.

"I don't know, outside of Lamar, the top quarterback that they will play against, " Orlovsky remarked. "They're not playing against a murderer's row of quarterbacks."

Joe Burrow raised the level of urgency for a rebound when declaring that he's "tired of saying next year." Orlovsky interpreted Burrow's message to mean, "Win or I'm out."

In practice, the former quarterback anticipates changes if Cincinnati doesn't improve in 2026. Outside of Drew Brees, Orlovsky couldn't recall plenty of cases of an elite quarterback missing the playoffs three or more consecutive times, so he can't imagine Burrow being content if it happens again.

Orlovsky can envision Burrow wanting out if the offensive line and defense don't support him more, but the ESPN personality doesn't think the Bengals will have to agreement with that doomsday scenario.

"I think it will be different, " Orlovsky declared. "I fully expect them to be an awesome team."

Taken together, the developments around ESPN Analyst Predicts & #039; Awesome& #039; Bengals Will Win AFC North point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.