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Bradley LockerOct 26, 2026

Locker argues Boye Mafe has been a difference-maker for Cincinnati's rebuilt defense and suggests that if the Bengals keep getting this level of play, they will end their playoff drought and make the postseason in 2026.

Published in writing · Pro Football FocusRead the original

Waitinggraded once the result is in

What Bradley Locker said

If Cincinnati's defense receives this level of play from Mafe and others over the rest of the year, a return to the postseason feels like just the start of the Bengals' winter plans.
Our reading: Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
Where it was published
Pro Football Focus
The piece
Bengals edge rusher Boye Mafe proving to be difference-maker on revamped defense
The original
Read the original

How the call scored

One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened.

Nothing to score yet: this grades once the result is in.

The call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same call; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.

Their call against the record

Makes the playoffsThey said
Missed the playoffs2025

Their call against what actually happened last time. Not yet settled.

  1. Playoff PicksCincinnati Bengals

    Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs

    VerdictWaiting

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

Others on the same people

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