For the first time in six seasons, the Bengals missed the playoffs, and their 6-9-1 record came with plenty of reason to think what else might have been. Cincinnati's last five losses came by a total of 16 points, and a general lack of production in the fourth quarter was highlighted by the team suffering from crucial missed place kicks as no Bengals team had suffered in recent years. Injuries also were a worse-than-usual factor, but head coach Marvin Lewis said simply, "Your record is what you earn. We have to do a better job in so many ways (in 2017)." The most notable injury was a hamstring strain that cost WR A.J. Green all but two snaps of the last seven games. Through nine games, Green's totals of 66 receptions and 964 yards had him on pace to set club season records in both categories by wide margins. DE Carlos Dunlap had a remarkable 15 passes defensed, leading the team by five in becoming the first DL to lead the team in the category, and Dunlap led all NFL defensive linemen by seven. DE Geno Atkins led all NFL interior linemen in sacks (nine), claiming at least a piece of that crown for the fourth time in his seven seasons. Green, Dunlap and Atkins were among five Bengals in the Pro Bowl, joined also by QB Andy Dalton and OT Andrew Whitworth. The Bengals took part for the first time in the NFL's International Series, playing Washington to a 27-all tie on Oct. 30 at London's Wembley Stadium. The Bengals officially named the home team in the game, as the team played only seven games at Paul Brown Stadium, but it stands as the only regular season game in franchise history played at a neutral site. The tie against Washington was notable because it was Cincinnati's third tie in nine seasons (2008-16). Only eight other NFL teams played even one tie in that span, with the remaining 23 playing none. A notable statistic for the season was rookie WR Alex Erickson, a college free agent signee from Wisconsin, leading the AFC with a 27.9-yard kickoff return average, second-highest in team history.
