| 2021 Cincinnati Bengals season | |
|---|---|
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| Owner | Mike Brown |
| Head coach | Zac Taylor |
| Home field | Paul Brown Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–7 |
| Division place | 1st AFC North |
| Playoff finish | Won Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Raiders) 26–19 Won Divisional Playoffs (at Titans) 19–16 Won AFC Championship (at Chiefs) 27–24 (OT) Lost Super Bowl LVI (vs.[A] Rams) 20–23 |
| Pro Bowlers | Selected but did not play due to participation in Super Bowl LVI: WR Ja'Marr Chase RB Joe Mixon DE Trey Hendrickson |
| AP All-Pros | WR Ja'Marr Chase (2nd team) |
| Uniform | |
 | |
The 2021 season was the Cincinnati Bengals' 52nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 54th overall and their third under head coach Zac Taylor. They also played in new uniforms for the first time since 2004.[1] The Bengals finished with a 10–7 record, exceeding their win total from the previous two seasons combined. The Bengals clinched their first winning season, first playoff appearance, and first AFC North title since 2015. It also marked their first Super Bowl appearance since 1988.[2][3]
The Bengals began their playoff run by defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 26-19 in the wild-card round, winning their first playoff game since 1990, and ending what was the NFL's longest playoff win drought.[4] They beat the top-seeded Tennessee Titans 19-16 in the divisional round, which not only marked their first-ever playoff win on the road but also allowed them to advance to the AFC Championship game for the first time since 1988. They upset the second-seeded Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in overtime. As a result, they advanced to Super Bowl LVI, their third Super Bowl in franchise history and first in 33 years.[5] Quarterback Joe Burrow became the first second-year quarterback since Russell Wilson in 2013 to reach a Super Bowl, and the first No. 1-picked QB to do so within their first two seasons. However, the Bengals lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl 23–20.
For first time since 2010, A. J. Green was not on the opening day roster.
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- ^ Hobson, Geoff (January 21, 2021). "Bengals Helmet Still At Head Of The Class". Bengals.com. Cincinnati Bengals. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- ^ Goldsmith, Charlie. "Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals put the Baltimore Ravens in the rearview mirror". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
- ^ "Burrow, Bengals Chase Down AFC North Title With Classic 34-31 Winner Over Chiefs". www.bengals.com. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
- ^ "Bengals end 32-year playoff drought, beat Raiders with dramatic defensive stand". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ "NFL playoffs in tatters as 49ers shock Packers and Bengals topple Titans". Associated Press. The Guardian. January 22, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2023.