CINCINNATI BENGALS (12-5)

Last year: Tied the franchise record for wins in a season, then extended one of the longest streaks of playoff futility in NFL history. Meltdown in the closing minutes of an 18-16 loss to Pittsburgh at Paul Brown Stadium made it 25 years without a playoff win, the sixth-longest such streak. They’ve lost first-round playoff games each of the past five seasons, an NFL record — nobody else has done it more than three straight seasons. Coach Marvin Lewis returns despite falling to 0-7 in playoffs.

Important additions: WR Brandon LaFell, LB Karlos Dansby.

Important losses: WRs Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, RT Andre Smith, S Reggie Nelson.

Camp needs: TE Tyler Eifert had an ankle surgery that will limit him for training camp and could affect him for the regular season, so Bengals need to choose a temporary fill-in from a cast of backups with limited NFL experience. Ken Zampese moved into the role of offensive coordinator when Hue Jackson became the Browns’ head coach, so the offense will have to get used to a new play-caller. The defense has to get ready to play without middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict for the first three games, his suspension from the NFL for illegal hits.

Expectations: Bengals are in uncharted territory when it comes to reaching the playoffs and losing right away. Even though they won 12 games for only the third time in franchise history, their playoff meltdown overshadows everything. It’ll be the same this season, when getting to the playoffs won’t mean anything unless they finally win. They put most of their free agency money into keeping the roster intact, hoping the sixth time is a charm.