| Power Rankings |
| Date | Ranking | Previous |
| 05/04/2009 | 16 | 24 |
| Getting Palmer back makes them dangerous and the defense will be better around him. I like the Bengals as a sleeper team. I really do. |
| 02/09/2009 | 24 | 24 |
| They fixed the defense somewhat in 2008, and getting Carson Palmer healthy again will help fix the offense. This might be a team to watch in 2009. |
| 12/30/2008 | 24 | 26 |
| They won their last three games, which will bring Marvin Lewis back. The good news is their defense played really well in the second half. With Carson Palmer back, they could bounce back in 2009. |
| 12/23/2008 | 26 | 28 |
| They've played better in the final month, which is a good sign heading into 2009. I think Marvin Lewis comes back. |
| 12/16/2008 | 28 | 31 |
| All those who thought they had packed it in, raise your hands. Hey, me too. They showed something in beating the Redskins. |
| 12/09/2008 | 31 | 30 |
| They've packed it in for the season. When you watch them, they just don't have any life. The offense is a disaster. |
| 12/02/2008 | 30 | 28 |
| They flashed better play for a couple of weeks, but went back to their horrible ways against the Ravens. The end of December can't come soon enough. |
| 11/25/2008 | 28 | 27 |
| The one silver lining of this bad season is that the defense has been improved. That's a good sign for next season. |
| 11/18/2008 | 27 | 28 |
| They have a victory and a tie in the past two games. That's progress. The good thing for next season is that the young defensive players are playing better. |
| 11/11/2008 | 28 | 28 |
| Coming out of the bye, coach Marvin Lewis just might be playing for his job. At least his team showed life the last time out. |
