NFL

NFL Power Rankings: Bengals are lurking

They have been lost in the AFC playoff talk, but don’t sleep on the Bengals.

With Rob Gronkowski lost to the Patriots for the season, the Bengals now appear to be looming as the favorite for the conference’s No. 2 seed behind the Broncos in the wake of their third consecutive win.

Cincinnati improved to 9-4 and moved up one spot to No. 7 in The Post’s NFL Power Rankings with that 42-28 mauling of the Colts, showing all the signs of a team that is equipped to win in January.

Not only is Andy Dalton on a roll (completing 66 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and just one interception in the past two games), but the Bengals also have excellent balance on offense and boast a stout defense that remains among the league’s most opportunistic.

Losing defensive tackle Geno Atkins, one of the NFL’s best defenders, for the year hasn’t appeared to hamper Cincinnati one bit. The Bengals have forced seven turnovers and not allowed an opponent more than 389 total yards during their three-game hot streak.

As well as Dalton’s recent bounce-back, crucial to Cincinnati’s success has been a dynamic ground game paced by BenJarvus Green-Ellis and blazing rookie Gio Bernard. The Bengals have rushed for 106 yards or more in each of their past five games and eight times in 13 games overall.

That’s a recipe for success in the postseason, which is something the Bengals haven’t had in ages. Cincinnati hasn’t won a playoff game since 1990, but that drought appears to be in serious jeopardy.

(Last week’s ranking in parentheses)

1. Broncos (2): The AFC’s top seed now looks like theirs for the taking.

2. Seahawks (1): The loss in San Francisco hurt, but this is still the team to beat in the NFC.

3. Patriots (4): Will the miracles finally run out now that Rob Gronkowski’s gone?

4. Saints (5): Their next two are on the road, so forget the top seed.

5. Chiefs (6): Beating up on the Redskins is nothing special, but at least they stopped the bleeding.

6. 49ers (7): They won’t catch Seattle, but they’re not going away, either.

7. Bengals (8): Averaging 33.3 points a game during their current three-game win streak.

8. Panthers (3): With a Saints rematch on Dec. 22, will they overlook the Jets this week?

9. Eagles (12): The NFC East’s new runaway favorite.

10. Cardinals (13): Brutal closing run of Tennessee and Seattle on the road and San Francisco at home.

11. Colts (9): Just 3-3 since beating Peyton and looking less impressive by the week.

12. Bears (14): How do you go back to a cold Jay Cutler if Josh McCown stays hot?

13. Ravens (15): Starting to look like the team you don’t want to face in the playoffs — again.

14. Dolphins (16): They won’t catch the Patriots in the standings, but they’re catching New England at the right time this week.

15. Lions (11): Soft team that’s collapsing down the stretch.

16. Cowboys (10): They couldn’t make the 6-6 Bears punt even once. How is that possible?

17. Packers (18): Mike McCarthy could learn a thing or two from Marc Trestman on how to win with a backup quarterback.

18. Chargers (20): A strange team, but still a dangerous one.

19. Jets (23): They’re 6-3 with Jeremy Kerley, 0-4 without him. Seems like a pretty important player.

20. Giants (17): At least GM Jerry Reese can now focus on their most important offseason in years in peace.

21. Steelers (19): Once-Teflon GM Kevin Colbert has to start feeling some heat.

22. Rams (21): Back-to-back routs of the Colts and Bears now seem like a mirage.

23. Titans (22): Cutler to the rescue in 2014?

24. Buccaneers (28): They’re 4-1 since that 0-8 start, saving Greg Schiano’s job.

25. Jaguars (31): They’re rapidly improving, but Chad Henne still isn’t a long-term solution.

26. Raiders (24): GM Reggie McKenzie’s rebuilding plan looks like a road to nowhere.

27. Browns (25): They never run out of innovative ways to lose, do they?

28. Bills (26): They might have to draft a quarterback in the first round again in 2014.

29. Vikings (27): At least they’re still playing hard.

30. Falcons (29): Facing the Redskins this week in one of the ugliest matchups you will ever see.

31. Redskins (30): The passive-aggressive battle of wills between Mike Shanahan and Daniel Snyder should be a reality show.

32. Texans (32): They’re 2-11, but this is still going to be a great job for somebody next year.