The Cincinnati Bengals showed just how good they could be in Week 16's 45-21 dismantling of the Miami Dolphins, and with that, Joe Burrow's spirits were lifted to heights heretofore unseen of late.
Burrow balled out against a Dolphins defense that was on its heels all afternoon, throwing for 309 yards and four TDs. Unfortunately, another major injury this season and the Bengals' organizational failure means the team's record is only 5-10 despite Sunday's raging success.
So while Joe Shiesty was trying to cling to all the optimism he could in the wake of destroying the Dolphins — in stark contrast to his recent public venting about not having so much fun with football — things are far from rosy in Cincinnati when it comes to 2026 and beyond.