Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Post-preseason 32-team breakdown before Week 1

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Zac Taylor (center in black) the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals watches the action against the New York Giants at Paul Brown Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Zac Taylor (center in black) the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals watches the action against the New York Giants at Paul Brown Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

56. . . Previous: . Cincinnati Bengals. 29. team

Considering the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t do enough to address what was one of the worst defenses in the league last season, first-year head coach Zac Taylor and Co. will likely have to rely on outscoring their opponents frequently and often.

That approach took a big hit earlier this summer, as the Bengals lost wide receiver A.J. Green to an ankle injury, which will keep him out the first few weeks of the regular season.

It’s a good thing fellow wide receiver John Ross (hamstring) should be OK for Week 1, especially considering four of Cincinnati’s first six games will be on the road.

Quarterback Andy Dalton also has to be feeling the heat of backup signal-caller Ryan Finley, who has looked good this preseason. Finley won’t be named Cincy’s starter to kick off the regular season, but his presence might push Dalton to hold onto his job.

That could go one of two ways: good or very bad, at least for Dalton.

Still, losing Green for a while stinks, and the Bengals drop a spot in our NFL power rankings as a result.