The Cincinnati Bengals look to have an easy schedule for the 2026 NFL season.
That was a big takeaway on Thursday night as the league's full slate was unveiled, and it has people dreaming big things for the Bengals.
For example, ESPN's Ben Solak thinks the Bengals are now set up to reach the AFC Championship Game.
"The Bengals -- based again on the 2025 win-loss records of their 2026 opponents -- have the league's third-easiest schedule," Solak writes. "All they need is for the defense to not be detrimental, and one assumes they can be a playoff team again without too much trouble."
Ah, but that last line, the defense.
That will determine everything. Easy schedule or not, the Bengals have bigger concerns than how the other teams look on paper.
MORE:Deshaun Watson could be another team's starting QB soon
Is the Bengals' defense any good?
The reality is that the defense has let the Bengals down for years.
Joe Burrow's offense is capable of putting up 30 points even on a bad day. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and Chase Brown force defenses to account for so much talent.
But the Bengals are the kings of scoring 31 points only to allow the opposition to score 37.
There wasn't enough offseason movement to make it feel like all of a sudden they've solved everything on that side of the ball.
MORE:Could Lamar Jackson be on the move?
Instead, Cincinnati's identity will remain the team that scores a lot and just hopes and prays its defense can make a play or two.
Sure, the Bengals can win games this season against weak opposition.
But a deep playoff run? The defense will need to be much better.
More NFL news: