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The Cincinnati Bengals are ranked No. 30 in ESPN's Football Power Index ahead of the 2020 NFL season. With no preseason games this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, Week 1 is the first time we'll see new acquisitions and rookies such as quarterback Joe Burrow. Week 1 will also give us the first NFL games since Super Bowl LIV in February. Here's everything you need to know about the Bengals heading into the season, from the big question to answer and the toughest stretch on their schedule to a bold prediction and potential breakout fantasy football stars. Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart  The big question: How will Joe Burrow adjust to being an NFL QB?The Bengals haven't hidden their intentions to have Burrow be the Week 1 starter. By all accounts, Burrow is further along than other rookies. But with a lack of preseason reps against other teams, how will the former Heisman winner adjust to game speed at the pro level? The season opener against the Chargers could be a good barometer for how Burrow will fare this season. -- Ben Baby
How the pandemic has most affected the BengalsCompared with others around the league, the Bengals haven't been severely affected by COVID-19. The two biggest hiccups were defensive tackle Josh Tupou opting out of the season and wide receiver John Ross III returning to California to take care of his son after the 3-year-old contracted the virus. It will, however, have a major impact on fans. The Bengals have unsuccessfully tried to get a waiver to have more than 1,500 fans at games, so Paul Brown Stadium will be empty for the foreseeable future. From a competition standpoint, though, things could certainly be worse.-- Baby
Football Power Index projections for the BengalsOverall ranking: 30
Offensive ranking: 29
Defensive ranking: 32
Special teams ranking: 6 Total wins: 5.7
AFC North title chances: 1.3%
Chances to make playoffs: 8.7%
Super Bowl chances: 0.1%
2021 draft pick: No. 3
Inside the Bengals' scheduleFPI's strength of schedule rank: 20 Toughest stretch: Let's start with the bad news for the Bengals first. The toughest stretch of the season could be a doozy, starting with Week 14 against the Cowboys. From there, Cincinnati closes the season with the Steelers, Texans and Ravens. OK, now the good news. Since the stretch occurs at the end of the year, the Bengals will have the first 12 games for Burrow and essentially a brand-new defense to find their footing. Over or under 5.7 wins? Over. But not by much. Even at 6-10, that seems a touch optimistic, given how bad the Bengals were in 2019. But with a dynamic quarterback and a second year in coach Zac Taylor's system, Cincinnati could be poised to make some significant strides in Burrow's rookie year. A six-win season doesn't sound like much, but it will be an indicator the Bengals could realistically push for a playoff berth in 2021.-- Baby
Bold prediction for 2020: Joe Burrow will throw for 30 touchdowns ... and 20 interceptionsBurrow will be as good as advertised and break Baker Mayfield's record for most passing touchdowns in a rookie season (27 in 2018). Burrow's accuracy and ability to thrive under pressure should allow him to gain an early command of the offense and find different ways to be successful. But if camp is any indicator, Burrow will also have his share of setbacks as he adjusts to NFL passing windows. Other notable rookies have had a lot of interceptions in their first season. Burrow could experience both ends of the spectrum.-- Baby  Breakout fantasy star: Joe Burrow, QB The first pick in April's draft, Burrow will immediately get a shot at fantasy relevance as Cincinnati's Week 1 starter. He will be working behind one of the NFL's shakiest offensive lines but will benefit from a terrific group of targets led by A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon, John Ross III and rookie Tee Higgins. Burrow isn't Kyler Murray in terms of rushing ability, but he's also not Baker Mayfield and figures to add some value with his legs. Consider him a back-end QB2 out of the gate, but there's room for more if he proves the real deal.-- Mike Clay
ADP for the top players: Joe Mixon, RB: 23.7 A.J. Green, WR: 78.2 Tyler Boyd, WR: 84.6 Joe Burrow, QB: 150.5 Tee Higgins, WR: 169.4
The view from VegasSuper Bowl odds: 35-1 (opened 40-1)
Over/under: 8.5
Playoff odds: Yes +105, No -125 The Bengals won just two games last season and went 6-10 ATS. Top pick Joe Burrow will take over at quarterback, and a healthy A.J. Green could help a team that hit the under on points nine times. But is a four-game improvement too much to ask from a rookie? The Bengals are still building. -- ESPN Chalk staff Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill as of Sept. 1.
Speed reads before Week 1Baby: Mastering an NFL playbook from parents' basement: Joe Burrow Zooms into Year 1 Baby: How Bengals can make most of Joe Mixon's $48M extension Baby: Catch-anything style of Tee Higgins rooted in hoops background Barnwell: Bengals among NFL teams likely to improve in 2020 Spratt: Where Bengals rank in NFL by under-25 talent
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