The ghost of 1988 still whispers through Paycor Stadium , a spectral reminder of what this franchise can be. But legends aren’t built on memories; they’re forged in the present, and right now, the furnace in Cincinnati is running dangerously hot. The Bengals have their king in Joe Burrow , a quarterback so preternaturally gifted he’s dragged this team to the precipice of glory almost single-handedly. Yet, the castle walls are crumbling around him, and the league’s vultures are circling, smelling vulnerability in the AFC North air.

The doubt isn’t just local noise; it’s a national chorus. ESPN ’s Louis Riddick recently delivered a stark assessment that should send a chill down every Bengals fan’s spine: “I’d trust the Raiders right now to find a way to sneak into the playo

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