Cincinnati Bengals

Team Information

Franchise History

The Cincinnati Bengals were founded in 1967 by legendary coach Paul Brown, who was already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his work with the Cleveland Browns. The team began play in 1968 as an AFL franchise and joined the NFL in 1970 as part of the AFL-NFL merger.

Paul Brown’s Legacy

Paul Brown founded the Bengals after being fired by Art Modell from the Cleveland Browns. He built the Bengals using the same principles that made the Browns successful, emphasizing discipline, innovation, and intelligence.

Current Status

The Bengals compete in the AFC North. The team has experienced a resurgence in the 2020s, reaching Super Bowl LVI in 2021 behind quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

Ownership History

Management

• General Manager: Duke Tobin
• Head Coach: Zac Taylor
• Team President: Mike Brown

Historical Significance

• Founded by Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown
• 3 Super Bowl appearances (1981, 1988, 2021) - all losses
• 3 AFC Championships
• 11 Division Titles
• The “Ickey Shuffle” (1988)
• First team to use no-huddle offense extensively

Team Identity

The Bengals are named after the Bengal tiger, with distinctive orange and black striped helmets. The team represents Cincinnati and the surrounding Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana region.

Cincinnati Bengals History

Founding and Early Years (1967-1979)

Paul Brown’s Vision

Paul Brown, already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his work with the Cleveland Browns, founded the Bengals in 1967. The team began play in 1968 as an AFL expansion franchise and joined the NFL in 1970 as part of the AFL-NFL merger.

Early Success

The Bengals had immediate success under Paul Brown: - 1968: 3-11 record (expected for expansion team) - 1969: Improved to 4-9-1 - 1970: First winning season (8-6) - 1973: First playoff appearance

The 1970s

The Bengals were competitive throughout the 1970s: - 1975: 11-3 record, lost in playoffs - 1973 and 1975: Division titles

The 1980s: Super Bowl Appearances

The 1981 Season

Under coach Forrest Gregg, the Bengals reached their first Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XVI (1981 Season): - Opponent: San Francisco 49ers - Result: Lost 26-21 - Location: Pontiac Silverdome, Michigan

The Bengals led at halftime but were shut out in the third quarter. Quarterback Ken Anderson had a strong performance despite the loss.

Key Players: - Ken Anderson (quarterback) - Cris Collinsworth (wide receiver) - Anthony Munoz (offensive tackle) - Eddie Edwards (defensive end)

The 1988 Season and “Ickey Shuffle”

Under coach Sam Wyche, the Bengals reached their second Super Bowl with an explosive offense.

The Ickey Shuffle: Running back Ickey Woods popularized a touchdown dance called the “Ickey Shuffle” during the 1988 season, becoming a cultural phenomenon.

Super Bowl XXIII (1988 Season): - Opponent: San Francisco 49ers - Result: Lost 20-16 - Location: Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami

The Bengals led 13-6 entering the fourth quarter, but Joe Montana led a 92-yard game-winning drive, culminating in a touchdown pass to John Taylor with 34 seconds remaining.

Key Players: - Boomer Esiason (quarterback) - Ickey Woods (running back) - Eddie Brown (wide receiver) - Tim Krumrie (nose tackle) - Anthony Munoz

The 1990s

The Bengals struggled through the 1990s: - Paul Brown died in 1991 - Mike Brown took over as owner - Multiple losing seasons - Coaching changes

The Carson Palmer Era (2003-2010)

The 2005 Revival

The Bengals drafted quarterback Carson Palmer first overall in 2003. In 2005, Palmer led the team to their first winning season and playoff berth in 15 years.

Key Players: - Carson Palmer (quarterback) - Chad Johnson (wide receiver) - T.J. Houshmandzadeh (wide receiver) - Rudi Johnson (running back) - Willie Anderson (offensive tackle) - Deltha O’Neal (cornerback)

2005 Playoffs: Palmer suffered a devastating knee injury on his first pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals lost and would not win a playoff game for 31 years.

The 2009 Division Title

The Bengals won the AFC North in 2009 behind a strong defense and running game, but lost in the playoffs to the New York Jets.

The Andy Dalton Era (2011-2019)

Consistent Playoff Appearances

The Bengals made the playoffs five consecutive years (2011-2015) under coach Marvin Lewis and quarterback Andy Dalton: - 2011: Lost to Texans in Wild Card - 2012: Lost to Texans in Wild Card - 2013: Lost to Chargers in Wild Card - 2014: Lost to Colts in Wild Card - 2015: Lost to Steelers in Wild Card

The streak of playoff losses extended to seven consecutive defeats, dating back to 1990.

The 2015 Heartbreak

The Bengals appeared poised to win their first playoff game since 1990 against Pittsburgh. However, penalties and turnovers led to a stunning loss in the final seconds.

The Joe Burrow Era (2020-Present)

The 2020 Draft

The Bengals selected LSU quarterback Joe Burrow first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Burrow had just led LSU to a national championship.

The 2021 Super Bowl Run

In just his second season, Burrow led the Bengals to their third Super Bowl appearance.

Key Acquisitions: - Ja’Marr Chase (wide receiver, Burrow’s LSU teammate) - Joe Burrow (quarterback) - Tee Higgins (wide receiver) - Trey Hendrickson (defensive end) - Jessie Bates III (safety)

Playoff Journey: - Wild Card: Defeated Las Vegas Raiders 26-19 (first playoff win since 1990) - Divisional: Defeated Tennessee Titans 19-16 (Evan McPherson game-winning field goal) - AFC Championship: Defeated Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in overtime (rookie kicker McPherson hits winner)

Super Bowl LVI (2021 Season): - Opponent: Los Angeles Rams - Result: Lost 23-20 - Location: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles

The Bengals led 20-16 in the fourth quarter, but a late touchdown pass by Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp proved to be the difference.

Key Players: - Joe Burrow (quarterback) - Ja’Marr Chase (wide receiver) - Tee Higgins (wide receiver) - Joe Mixon (running back) - Trey Hendrickson (defensive end) - Jessie Bates III (safety)

Franchise Timeline

Cincinnati Bengals Championships

Super Bowl Appearances

The Bengals have appeared in three Super Bowls (1981, 1988, 2021), losing all three.

Super Bowl XVI (1981 Season)

Date: January 24, 1982
Location: Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan
Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
Result: Loss, 26-21

The Bengals reached their first Super Bowl after a 12-4 regular season. They led 21-0 in the second quarter but were shut out in the second half.

Notable Players: - Ken Anderson (quarterback) - Cris Collinsworth (wide receiver) - Anthony Munoz (offensive tackle)

Super Bowl XXIII (1988 Season)

Date: January 22, 1989
Location: Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, Florida
Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
Result: Loss, 20-16

The Bengals returned to the Super Bowl seven years later, again facing the 49ers.

Notable Players: - Boomer Esiason (quarterback) - Ickey Woods (running back) - Anthony Munoz

Super Bowl LVI (2021 Season)

Date: February 13, 2022
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Opponent: Los Angeles Rams
Result: Loss, 23-20

Joe Burrow led the Bengals to their third Super Bowl appearance.

Notable Players: - Joe Burrow (quarterback) - Ja’Marr Chase (wide receiver)

AFC Championships

The Bengals have won the AFC Championship 3 times (1981, 1988, 2021).

Division Championships

The Bengals have won 11 division championships.

The Playoff Win Drought

The Bengals went 31 years without a playoff win (1990-2021), ending with a victory over the Raiders in January 2022.

Cincinnati Bengals Team Records

Single Season Records

Best Regular Season Records

Worst Regular Season Records

Career Records

Career Passing

Career Rushing

Career Receiving

Retired Numbers

Streaks

Playoff Win Drought

• 31 years (1990-2021) - longest in major North American pro sports

Cincinnati Bengals Legendary Players

Pro Football Hall of Famers

Anthony Munoz (1998)

Position: Offensive Tackle
Years: 1980-1992

Munoz is widely regarded as the greatest offensive tackle in NFL history.

Accolades: - 11x Pro Bowl - 9x First-Team All-Pro - NFL 1980s All-Decade Team - NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team

Charlie Joiner (1996)

Position: Wide Receiver
Years: 1972-1975

Joiner began his Hall of Fame career with the Bengals before moving to San Diego.

Anthony Munoz

Already mentioned above.

Franchise Icons

Ken Anderson

Position: Quarterback
Years: 1971-1986

Anderson was the 1981 NFL MVP and led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl.

Career Stats: - Yards: 32,838 - Touchdowns: 197 - NFL MVP (1981)

Boomer Esiason

Position: Quarterback
Years: 1984-1992, 1997

Esiason led the Bengals to Super Bowl XXIII and was the 1988 NFL MVP.

Accolades: - NFL MVP (1988) - 4x Pro Bowl

Chad Johnson

Position: Wide Receiver
Years: 2001-2010

“Ochocinco” was one of the most entertaining and productive receivers of his era.

Career Stats: - Receptions: 751 - Yards: 10,783 - Touchdowns: 66

Cris Collinsworth

Position: Wide Receiver
Years: 1981-1988

Collinsworth was a key member of the two Super Bowl teams and became a legendary broadcaster.

Career Stats: - Receptions: 417 - Yards: 6,698 - Touchdowns: 36

Joe Burrow

Position: Quarterback
Years: 2020-Present

Burrow led the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI in his second season.

Career Stats (through 2023): - Yards: 14,083 - Touchdowns: 97

Ja’Marr Chase

Position: Wide Receiver
Years: 2021-Present

Chase was the 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year and helped lead the Bengals to the Super Bowl.

Corey Dillon

Position: Running Back
Years: 1997-2003

Dillon was one of the most productive running backs in franchise history.

Career Stats: - Rushing Yards: 8,061 - Touchdowns: 45

Joe Mixon

Position: Running Back
Years: 2017-Present

Mixon has been a consistent producer for the Bengals.

A.J. Green

Position: Wide Receiver
Years: 2011-2019

Green was a dominant receiver who made the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons.

Tim Krumrie

Position: Nose Tackle
Years: 1983-1994

Krumrie was a fierce defender who played with a broken leg in Super Bowl XXIII.

Ickey Woods

Position: Running Back
Years: 1988-1991

Woods was famous for the “Ickey Shuffle” touchdown dance during the 1988 Super Bowl season.

Cincinnati Bengals Rivalries

Primary Rivalries

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are the Bengals’ most heated rival, with numerous physical games and playoff implications.

Key Moments: - 2005 Playoffs: Carson Palmer’s knee injury - 2015 Playoffs: Steelers’ controversial win - Multiple playoff matchups

Cleveland Browns

The Battle of Ohio features the in-state rivalry with the Browns. Paul Brown founded both franchises.

Baltimore Ravens

Division rivals with competitive matchups since Baltimore joined the NFL.

Rivalry Statistics

vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Playoff history: Steelers have upper hand
• Regular season: Competitive series

vs. Cleveland Browns

• Paul Brown connection
• Battle of Ohio

vs. Baltimore Ravens

• Division rivalry
• Playoff implications

Cincinnati Bengals Stadium History

Paycor Stadium (2000-Present)

Overview

Paycor Stadium (formerly Paul Brown Stadium) has been the Bengals’ home since 2000.

Address: 1 Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Naming History

Features

• Capacity: 65,515
• Opening: August 19, 2000
• Cost: $455 million

The stadium was named after founder Paul Brown until 2022, when Paycor acquired naming rights.

Riverfront Stadium / Cinergy Field (1970-2002)

The Bengals shared Riverfront Stadium with the Cincinnati Reds from 1970-2002.

Capacity: 60,389

Final Game

December 29, 2002: Bengals defeated Buffalo Bills in the final game at Riverfront Stadium.

Nippert Stadium (1968-1969)

The Bengals played their first two seasons at Nippert Stadium on the University of Cincinnati campus.

Stadium Comparison

Cincinnati Bengals Fanbase and Culture

Fanbase Demographics

The Cincinnati Area

The Bengals draw from the Cincinnati metropolitan area and surrounding regions in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.

“Who Dey”

The Bengals’ chant “Who Dey? Who Dey? Who dey think gonna beat them Bengals?” is a tradition that originated in the 1980s.

Traditions

Who Dey Chant

The chant dates back to the 1980s and has become synonymous with Bengals fandom.

The Ickey Shuffle

Ickey Woods’ touchdown dance from the 1988 season remains an iconic celebration.

Media

Television

• Local: WCPO, WKRC
• National: CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ABC

Radio

• 700 WLW: Flagship station

Community

Bengals Community

• Youth football programs
• Community outreach
• Charitable initiatives

Rivalry Culture

Pittsburgh Rivalry

The Steelers-Bengals rivalry has produced some of the most physical games in the NFL.

Paul Brown Legacy

The connection to Paul Brown, who founded both the Bengals and the Browns, adds significance to the Ohio rivalries.