The Bengals were at midfield and one touchdown away from winning the first Super Bowl in franchise history. Seven months later, the Jets can essentially end the Bengals’ season in September.

One of last season’s best stories has become a cliché. The long-suffering franchise that unexpectedly won the AFC now appears to be the latest victim of a Super Bowl hangover.

A step back was not unexpected for Cincinnati. Even with Joe Burrow, 25, entering his prime, the Bengals were going to struggle to again emerge from a loaded conference that features the Bills and the Chiefs. But it appeared as if the Bengals at least would have the chance to defend their AFC title in the playoffs.

Then Week 1 ended with a home loss in overtime to the Mitch Trubisky-led Steelers. Week 2 ended with another last-second loss to the Cooper Rush-led Cowboys. The Bengals became the first team in the Super Bowl era to lose their first two games of the season after being favored by at least a touchdown in each game.