Cincinnati Bengals fans have endured their share of heartbreak. From Super Bowl losses to years of mediocrity, the fanbase knows disappointment. Quarterback Joe Burrow offered a beacon of hope, leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance early in his career and another AFC Championship game. However, recent playoff appearances have been absent, leaving fans wondering what the future holds.
Despite this rollercoaster of emotions, ESPN's Sports Misery Index reveals a surprising truth: Bengals fans aren't as miserable as you might think. The index, which gauges fan suffering across all sports, ranks Bengals fans as the 12th-least miserable in the league.
ESPN's Sports Misery Index: A Surprising Ranking
The latest edition of ESPN's Sports Misery Index paints a picture of cautious optimism in Cincinnati. The Bengals scored a 75 out of 100 on the misery scale, placing them in the "flailing" category. However, the description offers a glimmer of hope: "Let’s look at it this way: you’re not at rock bottom. There’s always a chance you could improve your fortunes in the coming years."
Who's Happier Than Bengals Fans?
According to ESPN, only a handful of fanbases are less miserable than the Bengals. At the very top, with a misery index of zero, are the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, and New England Patriots. This is hardly surprising, as these teams have dominated the NFL in recent years, claiming six of the last nine Super Bowl titles.
Other teams with less miserable fanbases include the Los Angeles Rams (28), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (43), Seattle Seahawks (49), and Denver Broncos (52). The San Francisco 49ers also ranked ahead of the Bengals.
While the Bengals' ranking may come as a surprise to some, it suggests that the fanbase still holds onto hope for a brighter future. Perhaps the presence of a franchise quarterback like Joe Burrow is enough to keep the misery at bay, for now.