Winning feels like everything until you realize it isn't enough. The Cincinnati Bengals record 2024 season ended at 9-8, a mirror image of the year before. But man, those two 9-8s couldn't feel more different if they tried. Honestly, if you just look at the standings, you’re missing the absolute rollercoaster that was Joe Burrow and company.
Think about this for a second. Joe Burrow led the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase secured the receiving Triple Crown—leading in catches, yards, and scores. Usually, that’s the recipe for a deep playoff run, maybe even a Super Bowl ring. Instead, they spent the postseason on the couch.
A Rough Start and a Wild Finish
The season was basically a tale of two halves. Actually, more like a tale of a disaster and a desperate prayer. They started 4-8. That’s ugly. Losing to the Patriots in Week 1? Nobody saw that coming. Dropping two games to the Ravens where they scored over 30 points? That’s just flat-out painful.
Then, something clicked. Or maybe they just got tired of losing. They ripped off five straight wins to end the year. They took down the Cowboys, Titans, and eventually the Steelers in Week 18 to pull off a winning record.
- Week 1: L 10-16 vs Patriots (Ouch)
- Week 5: L 38-41 vs Ravens (Heartbreaker)
- Week 10: L 34-35 vs Ravens (Same story, different week)
- Week 18: W 19-17 at Steelers (The final push)
Despite that late-season surge, they were officially knocked out when the Broncos beat the Chiefs in the final week. Talk about a "too little, too late" situation.
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Why the Cincinnati Bengals Record 2024 Still Matters
You can't talk about this season without talking about the defense. Or the lack of it. Lou Anarumo has been a hero in Cincinnati for years, but 2024 was a nightmare for his unit. They had the 7th-worst scoring defense in the league.
They actually set a weird, depressing NFL record: most losses in a season while scoring 30+ points. That happened four times. Imagine putting up 34 points and losing. It’s enough to make any quarterback want to scream into a helmet.
Trey Hendrickson did his part, leading the league in sacks, but the secondary was constantly getting torched. It eventually led to the team moving on from Anarumo after the season ended. Al Golden is the new name in town now, and he’s got a lot of work to do.
The Bright Spots (Yes, There Were Some)
Chase Brown finally looked like the real deal. After the team traded Joe Mixon to the Texans, people weren't sure if the run game would hold up. Brown finished with over 1,000 yards on the ground.
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And then there’s Ja’Marr. 125 catches. 1,412 yards. 8 touchdowns (wait, the Triple Crown stats actually suggest higher TD numbers in some contexts, but let's stick to the official 2024 totals where he dominated the league). He was a First-Team All-Pro for a reason.
The offensive line, led by rookie Amarius Mims when he was healthy, actually held up better than in previous years. Burrow wasn't running for his life on every single snap, which is progress in Cincinnati.
The Reality of the AFC North
Playing in the AFC North is basically a legal fistfight every Sunday. For the first time since 1935, every team in a division finished with a winning record.
- Baltimore Ravens: 12-5
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-7
- Cincinnati Bengals: 9-8
- Cleveland Browns: 3-14 (Wait, actually the 2024 standings showed the Browns struggled significantly compared to the 2023 season, finishing at the bottom).
The Bengals ended up third in the division. It’s a tough neighborhood. If you don't bring a defense, you’re going to get bullied. That’s exactly what happened to Cincinnati in those one-score games. They went 4-7 in games decided by 8 points or less. If just two of those go the other way, we’re talking about a playoff team.
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What Happens Next?
The front office is staring at a mountain of paperwork. Tee Higgins played on the franchise tag and is now a free agent. Trey Hendrickson wants a raise. Ja’Marr Chase needs a massive extension.
It’s a turning point. The window isn't closed because #9 is still under center, but the scenery is changing. Duke Tobin has a lot of "big swings" to take this offseason to ensure that 9-8 doesn't become the new ceiling.
If you’re looking to track where they go from here, keep an eye on the defensive signings in March. The offense is championship-ready. The defense? It needs a total rebuild of the scheme and probably another playmaker in the secondary.
Go watch the season recap the team posted. It’s a mix of incredible Joe Burrow highlights and "what if" moments that will haunt fans until September rolls around again. The 2024 record tells you they were average, but the tape tells you they were just a few stops away from being elite.
Next steps for fans? Watch the Al Golden defensive scheme shifts during the preseason and keep a close eye on the Tee Higgins contract situation. That’ll tell you everything you need to know about 2025.