Bengals face questions about Super Bowl contendership following close victory

Xander Bailey, Staff

September 12, 2025

Overhead View of the Bengals Stadium (Courtesy of Juliana Myles, Unsplash)

Fans are roaring because the Cincinnati Bengals have just won their first game of the National Football League (NFL) season versus the Cleveland Browns. The last time the Bengals have won their first game of the season was in 2021. But maybe this can change if Taylor Swift makes a debut?

Sunday, Sep. 7, the Bengals faced off against the Browns. These teams have played each other as the first game of the season for 56 years. Seems like Joe Burrow is going to be the next Joe Flacco because he won’t get a ring until he is 40.

This game was big for the Bengals because it was a rivalry game for both teams. But the last time the Cincinnati Bengals won their first game, they went to the Super Bowl. If history repeats itself, it will be a great day for Bengals fans. But not for Joe Burrow because he got cheated on by his girlfriend, Olivia Ponton

“I believe both teams are complete opposites because the Bengals have a good offense and bad defense, and the Browns have a bad offense and a great defense,” Carson Hoeh (10) said.

People have strong opinions on the defense of the Bengals, but there is a chance that the defense will be good because it is their first game, so there is always going to be some slip-ups on both sides of the ball. But, some people can believe that it is one side of the ball’s fault and not the other side. The offense is the only thing going for the Bengals.

“The offense is fine, but the Bengals mainly get stuck on the defensive side, and the offense has to save them,” Cale Harris (11) said.

Some people think that they have a top-tier offense and that the offense alone will get the Bengals to the Super Bowl. People believe that with top-tier players like Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, as well as Chase Brown, the Bengals will get to the Super Bowl. Joe Flacco wishes he had them.

“I think that we will go to the Super Bowl just because of our offense,” Ethan Adhikary (11) said.

Although this is just one small victory, it can still be big for the Bengals because it can give them confidence and ensure that they play well in every game. However, the Bengals still need to ensure that they keep their body right and they eat good food. Unlike Joe Flacco, the Browns pulled him right off the couch.

Donate to The Hilltopper

$325

$500

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Highlands High School. Your contribution will allow us to cover our annual website hosting costs.

About the Contributor

Xander Bailey, Staff

Xander is going into his second year of publications. He is going into his sophomore year at Highlands High School. In his free time, he enjoys wrestling and is on the wrestling team for Highlands. Xander is also a part of a Christian youth group called Navigators. He wishes to work on his relationship with Christ throughout the year. He is also big on listening to Christian music like Forrest Frank, etc.