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2016-2017 Cincinnati Bengals Preview
Key Additions: WR Brandon LaFell, OLB Karlos Dansby, CB William Jackson, WR Tyler Boyd
Key Subtractions: WR Marvin Jones, WR Mohamed Sanu, OT Andre Smith, OLB A.J.Hawk, CB Leon Hall, S Reggie Nelson.
Strengths
The Cincinnati Bengals had one of the most efficient offenses in the entire NFL last season, which powered them to a 12-4 record. They ranked No. 7 in scoring (26.2 points per game) and No. 2 in offensive DVOA, with Andy Dalton masterfully orchestrating an offense littered with weapons.
But the unsung heroes of that offense were the members of the offensive line, which protected Dalton very well. That unit should be just as good this year after they held onto excellent left tackle Andrew Whitworth and added more depth through the draft with guard Christian Westerman.
The same terrific strength in depth applies to both their linebacking crew as well as their secondary, which added another potential stud in first-round pick William Jackson III. The defensive line isn’t quite as deep, but it should still be good as long as Geno Atkins stays on the field.
But even with so much depth at so many positions, the oddmakers still aren’t completely sold on the Bengals. They are priced at +1,800 to win the Super Bowl, just outside the very top contenders.
Weaknesses
The Bengals have such a well-rounded roster that it would be incredibly nitpicky to consider any part of their team to be a “weakness.” But perhaps the closest thing that could be considered their big flaw is still the lack of a bona fide No. 2 behind stud wide receiver A.J. Green.
They replaced the two receivers they lost, Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, with rookies Tyler Boyd and Cody Core as well as veteran Brandon LaFell, who couldn’t cut it in New England. Tight end Tyler Eifert broke out with 52 catches for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, but his constant injuries will continue to be a concern going forward.
Key Player – Andy Dalton
Apart from Green, Andy Dalton is just about the only player the Bengals don’t have a capable replacement for. That much is sure after A.J. McCarron took over for the injured Dalton late last season and effectively ended any hope of a potential Super Bowl run. Dalton was having a legitimate MVP-caliber season – 66 percent completion, 3,250 yards, 25 TDs, 7 INTs – before getting hurt.
So was last season a fluke or does Dalton just have too much talent around him to fail? Whatever the answer to that question, it’s clear that Dalton is the Bengals’ best option at quarterback and their postseason hopes hinge on him.
Key Game – vs. Steelers (Dec. 18)
The Bengals’ second meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third-to-last week of the season is undoubtedly the big matchup in their schedule.
Not only will it most likely have potential division title ramifications – the Bengals are +180 to successfully defend their AFC North crown – it will also mark Vontaze Burfict’s first matchup with Pittsburgh after his villainous performance in the AFC wild-card game. (He’ll be suspended for their Week 2 meeting because of his late hit on Antonio Brown.)
2015 Team Stats
| Category | Stat (Rank) |
|---|---|
| Points per game | 26.2 (#7) |
| Passing yards per game | 245.2 (#15) |
| Rushing yards per game | 112.8 (#13) |
| Scoring defense | 17.4 (#2) |
Writer’s Prediction
The Bengals can’t quite defend their division crown, but they still go 10-6 and go over 9.5 regular season wins.
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