Joe Burrow has much to prove, but one Bengals factor could change everything

Joe Burrow heads into the 2026 NFL season carrying the weight of three straight playoff misses and the memory of a turf toe injury that derailed Cincinnati's last campaign. But as the Bengals prepare to face the Detroit Lions in their preseason opener Thursday, the mood inside training camp tells a different story. Burrow is healthy, sharp, and surrounded by the kind of offensive firepower that most quarterbacks would consider a career-making luxury. The question is whether that firepower finally translates into a postseason run.Why are the Cincinnati Bengals considered an offensive powerhouse in 2026?Start with the weapons. Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase remain one of the most dangerous wide receiver duos in the league, and that is not a debate many people are willing to have.