1986 Cincinnati Bengals season
The 1986 Cincinnati Bengals season was the team's 19th year in professional football and its 17th with the National Football League. The Bengals were one of two teams with ten wins that failed to make the AFC playoffs in 1986.
Boomer Esiason passed for a team-record 3959 yards and James Brooks rushed for 1087 yards as the Bengals went 10-6, narrowly missing a playoff berth. Linebacker Reggie Williams was selected NFL Man of the Year for his efforts to charity and the community. The Bengals amassed a club-record 621 yards net offense in a 52-21 victory over the New York Jets on December 21. No NFL team has since matched that total in a regulation-time game since.Offseason
NFL Draft
Roster
Regular season
Schedule
Standings
Team leaders
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Defensive
| Player | Punts | Yards | Long | Blkd | Avg. |
| Jeff Hayes | 56 | 1965 | 52 | 2 | 35.1 |
Special teams
Awards and records
- Boomer Esiason, Franchise Record, Most Passing Yards in One Game, 425 yards
- Boomer Esiason, Franchise Record, Most Passing Yards in One Season, 3,959 yards
- Boomer Esiason, Franchise Record, Most Touchdown Passes in One Game, 5 Passes
Milestones
- James Brooks, 1000 yard rushing season
- Cris Collinsworth, 1000 yard receiving season
