After Years of Disappointment, Bengals Are NFL’s Biggest Make-or-Break Story

We’ve hit the time of year when television shows wrap for the season before a long summer of reruns—rehashed stories we’ve all seen before.

Once summer turns to fall and the 2016 NFL season gets underway, the AFC North could be treated to another sort of rerun. In each of the past five seasons, the Cincinnati Bengals have won at least nine games and advanced to the playoffs.

And in each of those five seasons, the Bengals failed to advance past Wild Card Weekend.

Given that, the edict this season appears clear. If this year holds more disappointment—if the season finale in 2016 plays out like 2015 (and 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011) then it’s likely the Bengals as we know them will be cancelled.

According to Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, there’s a “growing impatience” in the Cincinnati front office and from ownership with head coach Marvin Lewis. Yes, Lewis has enjoyed as much regular-season success as any coach in team history. No one in Bengals history has held the job as long as Lewis’ 14 years.

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But those 14 years include a dismal 0-7 record in the playoffs, a feat no other coach in NFL history has matched:

Marvin Lewis now owns worst playoff record among NFL head coaches at 0-7. Passed Jim Mora Sr. (0-6) Saturday night.

— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) January 10, 2016

The nadir was a devastating 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last January. A game that the Bengals appeared to have in the bag before one of the biggest postseason meltdowns in recent NFL history.

A meltdown that included several inexcusable personal foul calls that didn’t reflect well on the coaching staff at all.

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As Bill Bender of the Sporting News reported at the time, after the dust settled over the wreckage of another lost playoff opportunity Lewis sounded very much like a man who didn’t have an answer for what had just occurred.

“Our guys fought their tails off all year, fought their tail off today,” Lewis said. “Got back and went ahead, then we destructed on ourselves—offense and defense together. That’s disappointing.”

It’s the circumstances of that crushing loss that USA Today’s Steven Ruiz believes have ratcheted up the pressure on Lewis that much more in 2016:

It’s hard to see them waiting another year with how last year’s playoff exit went down. Cincinnati would have finally snagged that elusive postseason win if not for total lack of discipline. Some of that has to fall on the head coach. Lewis’ seat is particularly hot since a winning record won’t be enough for him to secure his job. The Bengals need to have some playoff success to justify a 15th year with Lewis at the helm.

It’s a hard point to dispute. After all, this wasn’t the 9-7 Bengals team that got blown out in Houston in Andy Dalton’s rookie season in 2011. Or even the 11-5 division champions who face-planted at home against the San Diego Chargers in 2013.

This was a talented, veteran team that won 12 games and the AFC North. A team that was in the running for a first-round playoff bye right up until season’s end. But just like that elusive playoff win, Cincy couldn’t seal that deal either, compliments of an overtime loss at Denver in Week 16.

It’s been the story of the Cincinnati Bengals throughout their five-year run of playoff disappointments. They beat the teams they’re supposed to but can’t beat …

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