Cincinnati Bengals Winners & Losers Through 5 Weeks Going Into Bye

The Cincinnati Bengals are heading into their Week 6 bye at 3-2, making this the perfect time to evaluate the biggest winners and losers from the first five games of the 2026 NFL season.

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Who has stepped up for the Bengals, and who needs to be better if Cincinnati wants to make a serious playoff push?

We break down the biggest standouts, including Evan McPherson’s incredible kicking streak, Amarius Mims’ emergence as a cornerstone of the offensive line, Boye Mafe’s impact on the defensive front, and the contributions of Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen. We also discuss the improvements from linebackers Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr., Tee Higgins’ importance to the passing game, and why Joe Burrow remains one of Cincinnati’s most valuable players.

But it hasn’t all been positive.

We examine the concerns surrounding Orlando Brown Jr. and the Bengals’ left tackle situation, Jordan Battle’s inconsistent start despite his impressive performance against Miami, Chase Brown’s struggles in the running game, and the special teams issues under Darrin Simmons.

With a crucial AFC North showdown against the Baltimore Ravens coming up after the bye, Cincinnati has plenty to address before the second half of the season. Is this roster capable of making a deep playoff run, or are there too many questions to answer?

We cover the biggest storylines, roster concerns, standout performances, and what the Bengals must improve to get back into the postseason.

Join the conversation: Who is your biggest Bengals winner through five games? Who has disappointed you the most? Let us know in the comments!