Cincinnati Bengals Week 6 Stock Report

As a whole, the stock of the Cincinnati Bengals hasn't been higher in years. 

So it goes when a team rattles off 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter before an overtime win against the Seattle Seahawks. Oh, an epic late performance that put the Bengals at 5-0 for the first time since 1988 and the first time since the realignment and birth of the AFC North.

As one of a handful of undefeated teams left standing, the Bengals have better stock than the majority of the league, although it doesn't mean certain players aren't dipping while others rise.

Within, let's take an updated look at Cincinnati's stock and what it means for the team moving forward.

Stock Up: Tyler Eifert

Gary Landers/Associated Press/Associated Press

Tyler Eifert exploded in Week 6 after a few quiet outings.

He's back.

Tyler Eifert disappeared for a few games after exploding onto the scene to start the season and looking like one of the league's premier breakout players.

Eifert caught 13 passes and three scores over his first two games, then just three catches over his next two. Sunday against the Seahawks, though, he broke out again with eight grabs for 90 yards and two scores, including a memorable diving catch to bail out the team when it mattered most. 

Game flow and plan dictate how and when Eifert gets used, but this past weekend was further confirmation he's second to only Rob Gronkowski in talent at the position. His stock's through the roof. 

Stock Down: Offensive Line

Frank Victores/Associated Press

The Cincinnati line struggled most of the game this past weekend.

It wasn't a secret the Bengals would have a tough task this past Sunday against a talented Seahawks defensive line.

None could have predicted, though, that the line as a whole would fall flat on its face after an elite start to the season.

Per Pro Football Focus, the line let up two sacks and 17 quarterback hits on the day, with center Russell Bodine responsible for one of the sacks and the most pressures with six. 

No doubt the performance is a black eye for the unit, although it's probably good for the group to have a learning experience to apply to future games. As long as it doesn't become a trend, the stock should swing back in the other direction.

Stock Up: Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones

Gary Landers/Associated Press

Mohamed Sanu has found his way back into the offense in recent weeks.

It's been an up-and-down season for both Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones.

The wideouts who play second fiddle to A.J. Green seem to explode one at a time nowadays, but rarely together. Jones disappeared for a few games, while Sanu has had problems getting involved at all with only so many balls to go around.

Against the Seahawks, though, both Sanu and Jones caught five passes apiece, the former for 69 yards, the latter for 61. Sanu saw five targets on the day, Jones eight.

The targets still suggest Jones is the No. 2 option, but as a whole, both Sanu and Jones take a back seat to Green and Eifert. When the game calls for a pass-happy attack, though, it's clear Andy Dalton won't hesitate to throw to whoever gets open in the best situation.

Stock Down: Brandon Tate

Frank Victores/Associated Press

Brandon Tate struggled on kick returns against Seattle.

As the lead return man, Brandon Tate put on a solid showing over the first four weeks, silencing any doubters who would have liked to see more of Adam Jones or even Giovani Bernard back returning kicks.

Tate tarnished most of the strong start with a miserable outing against the Seahawks, taking several kickoffs from deep out of the end zone and not coming close to reaching the 20-yard line.

It wasn't all bad, though, as ESPN.com's Coley Harvey pointed out: "Brandon Tate's KR decisions may have been a little questionable at times today, but he just had a nice play at gunner. Punt at the 1 w/ flip."

Still, the film review won't be fun for Tate and the unit this week. One has to wonder if explosive players such as Mario Alford could see time in the position at some point this season, especially if Tate continues to struggle.

Stock Up: Andy Dalton

Gary Landers/Associated Press

Dalton might lead all players when it comes to rising stock.

It needs to be said, doesn't it? 

Given the woeful play of the offensive line, Dalton put the team on his shoulders and orchestrated the comeback without blinking. The interception didn't faze him, nor did the fact his team was down big late.

Part of the reason for Dalton's major change? A better rapport with offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, who spoke with NFL.com's Michael Silver on the topic:

"

I'm not for everybody, and everybody's not for me, but Andy and I have really clicked -- and I'm so proud of him. There's a different trust between us this year, and it's great to have a guy that can pick me up when I put us in a bad situation with what wasn't the best-designed play.

"

It's an interesting note, for sure. And just when most figured Dalton couldn't be more impressive this year, he pulled the comeback out of his hat in a situation the team would have usually failed to rise to.

Dalton's stock might be up more than any player's in the league right now.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of October 13. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.