NFL 25 Dream Teams that ended up being failures

NFL 25 Dream Teams that ended up being failures: 23. 2016 Cincinnati Bengals

It was hard to figure out the 2010s Cincinnati Bengals. After decades as a useless franchise, Marvin Lewis had this team as a constant playoff contender with the likes of Andy Dalton and some fun weapons in the wide receiving corps. In 2015, things hit their peak. They went off to a franchise best 7-0 and eventually won the AFC North before losing in the playoffs in one of the craziest games ever to the Steelers.

In the offseason, it seemed like everyone was cashing in on the Bengals success. Hue Jackson became head coach of the Browns. Marvin Jones and Mohammed Sanu signed gigantic contracts elsewhere. Other coaches left for promotions in other organizations. Maybe a drop off in production could have been forseen, but most thought the Bengals would actually grow on their huge season.

Nope. They started the season 2-4. Things went from bad to worse when in their first game ever in London, they tied the Washington Football Team. At least fans in Europe are used to ties. In the middle of their losing streak, star wide receiver A.J. Green got hurt. That led to things going even worse.

Eventually, it was clear the Bengals didn’t do enough to keep a perennial playoff team together, and the Bengals have never been the same.