All 4 win teams aren't equal. The Bengals didn't just get the players that went to the Super Bowl. That was years of drafting, drafting high in the draft. Years of development. 15 of the Bengals 22 starters in 2021 were 27 and younger. The FA starters they signed on defense were all age 27 or younger (including DJ Reader) and ready to make an impact while the team grows.
On the other hand, we have the Texans. The Texans have 2 starters drafted prior to 2021. They have 3 reserves that were drafter prior to 2021, but we expect 2 to be cut (Scharping and Blacklock). The Texans can't afford the mid level FAs the Bengals signed like Hendrikson ($15 mil AAV) and Reader ($12 mil AAV). The Texans projected roster has 9 age 30+ players (not including the long snapper).
You want to compare the Texans to the 2021 Bengals? Then wait until they start acting like the 2021 Bengals. Keep your draft choices and use them wisely. Stop signing 30 year old players, expecting them to play as if they're 27. Stop wasting salary cap. The 2022 Texans look nothing like the 2021 Bengals. They were not overnight sensations and the Texans certainly won't be.
I agree with thought. It took a very long time and much suffering as a fan to get to last year. We have an owner that finally started giving power (roster decisions, contracts, etc.) to someone other than himself. We brought in a new coach, who was not able to properly hire a competent coaching staff his first year and most thought was going to flop. For the first time in the team's history, they actually went out in free agency and paid above average players to come to the team. Then you have to consider what part "Luck" played a part. They actually stayed put and took Burrow #1 overall, despite all of the offers which were pouring in. Then Burrow goes down with a horrific knee injury and they end up sucking again. This put them in the position to draft Chase, and they did just that, despite everyone telling them to protect Burrow in the drafting of Sewell. THEN, they happen to have one of the healthiest seasons in their entire existence last year. Far from "overnight" and very lucky, fortunate or whatever someone wants to label it. That's exactly why 2022 will be such a challenge for them to get back to the Super Bowl, despite me feeling they will.
The Texans in 2022 ?? No, you don't need time to have an opinion that they are probably going to suck more than not. Now that opinion may be proven wrong, but I would find it hard to believe even the most homerish of fans look at the Texans roster and think they are competing for a Super Bowl, let alone the playoffs. I wish it wasn't that way and hope to be proven wrong very much, but nonetheless, here we are.
The "Hope and Pray" method sucks by the way. The Bengals have been utilizing that approach forever.