1990 Cincinnati Bengals season

The 1990 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's 23rd year in professional football and its 21st with the National Football League (NFL). The Bengals won the AFC Central division for the second time in three seasons.

The Bengals would finish the season 9–7 and make the playoffs. In the postseason, Cincinnati won over the Houston Oilers in the wild-card round 41–14, but lost to the Los Angeles Raiders 20–10 in the divisional round. The Bengals would not make the playoffs again until the 2005 season and would not win a playoff game again until their Super Bowl-appearing 2021 season beginning what eventually became an 8-game playoff losing streak, tied with the Detroit Lions for longest in NFL history.

Best performances

 * James Brooks, December 23, 1990, 201 rushing yards vs. Houston Oilers

All-Pros

 * Anthony Muñoz LT, 1st Team All-Pro

All-Rookies

 * James Francis OLB, PFWA All-Rookie Team

Records

 * Boomer Esiason, franchise record, most passing yards in one game, 490 yards (achieved on October 7, 1990)

Milestones

 * James Brooks, 1st 200 yard rushing game, December 23, 1990, 201 rushing yards vs. Houston Oilers
 * James Brooks, 3rd 1000 yard rushing season (1,004 yards)