What Is 2017 Cincinnati Bengals football team

Overview

The 2017 Cincinnati Bengals struggled to regain playoff form after five straight postseason appearances from 2011 to 2016. Despite a stable roster and experienced coaching staff led by Marvin Lewis, the team failed to maintain consistency throughout the season.

They ended the year with a 7-9 record, missing the playoffs for the second straight year. The offense, led by quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green, showed flashes of potential but was hampered by injuries and defensive lapses.

• Season record: The team finished 7-9, a decline from their 8-8 performance in 2016, failing to improve under long-time head coach Marvin Lewis.
• Division standing: They placed third in the AFC North, behind the Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3) and Baltimore Ravens (9-7), highlighting a competitive division gap.
• Offensive output: The Bengals scored 315 total points (19.7 per game), ranking 24th in the NFL, indicating a lack of offensive firepower.
• Defensive struggles: They allowed 368 points (23.0 per game), ranking 22nd, with inconsistent pass coverage and run defense issues.
• Injuries: Key players like A.J. Green (toe), Tyler Eifert (ankle), and Giovani Bernard (ACL) missed significant time, weakening offensive continuity.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 2017 campaign was marked by missed opportunities and a lack of momentum, especially in close games. Cincinnati started 2-3 but showed promise with a four-game winning streak in Weeks 7–10, defeating teams like the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.

• Week 1 performance: The Bengals opened with a 20-0 shutout win over the Ravens, signaling defensive strength and playoff hopes.
• Midseason surge: From Weeks 7 to 10, they won four straight, including a 23-10 victory over the Lions, improving to 5-4.
• Andy Dalton's stats: He threw for 3,250 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, his best TD-to-INT ratio since 2015.
• A.J. Green's impact: Despite playing only 10 games, Green recorded 694 yards and 4 touchdowns, remaining a top target.
• Defensive leaders: Vontaze Burfict led with 101 tackles, while Geno Atkins recorded 6.5 sacks, anchoring the defensive line.
• Final stretch collapse: Lost 5 of their last 6 games, including defeats to the Vikings and Steelers, eliminating playoff chances.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2017 Bengals compared to recent seasons and division rivals:

The decline from 2015’s 12-4 peak is evident, with offensive production dropping and defensive efficiency slipping. The 2017 team lacked the resilience of earlier squads, particularly in close games and fourth-quarter situations.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season marked a turning point for the franchise, highlighting growing concerns about coaching stagnation and roster development. It was the final year of Marvin Lewis’s 16-season tenure as head coach, which ended in 2018.

• End of an era: The 2017 season foreshadowed Marvin Lewis’s departure after 2018, closing a 16-year chapter in Bengals history.
• Playoff drought: It extended the team’s postseason drought, which lasted from 2016 to 2020, the longest in franchise history at the time.
• Roster transition: The season underscored the need for youth infusion, leading to later drafting of players like Joe Burrow in 2020.
• Coaching scrutiny: Offensive and defensive coordinators faced criticism, leading to staff changes in subsequent years.
• Contract implications: Key players like Dalton and Green entered contract years, increasing pressure for future performance.
• Team morale: Repeated late-season collapses damaged team confidence and fan engagement, prompting front-office evaluation.

Ultimately, the 2017 Bengals symbolized both the end of a consistent era and the beginning of a necessary rebuild, setting the stage for future organizational changes.