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NFL power rankings: League-wide look for each team as preseason starts

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 22: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons speaks to Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers after the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Packers 44-21. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 22: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons speaks to Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers after the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Packers 44-21. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – JANUARY 1: Head Coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals watches a replay as his team takes on the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – JANUARY 1: Head Coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals watches a replay as his team takes on the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

team. 56. . . . Cincinnati Bengals. 14

Like the Panthers, the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2016 campaign could be seen more as an anomaly and not so much what to expect this upcoming year.

What it did do, however, is put the Bengals into a position to seriously upgrade the offense.

Say what you want about running back Joe Mixon, but all on-field reports are pointing to the rookie being a serious offensive threat — perhaps the kind to take the pressure off quarterback Andy Dalton. That’s enough to push the Bengals up high in these NFL power rankings.

It’s going to be tough to overtake the Pittsburgh Steelers, and even the Ravens, within the division.

But at least the Bengals appear to be heading the right way.

They have before though.