Cincinnati Bengals Team Preview & Predictions for the 2015-16 NFL Season

There are a few things hotter than Andy Dalton’s seat as the Cincinnati Bengals’ starting quarterback entering the 2015 NFL season. Over the past few years, Dalton has developed the image of a good but not great quarterback, one who plays as though he is programmed to play for just 17 games a year.

Last season was no different for the Bengals, as they finished with an excellent 10-5-1 record only to be crushed right away in the playoffs. Will 2015 be the year Dalton takes the Bengals into the next level? Read on for an overview of Cincinnati’s key player this coming season along with the team’s key game, best/worst scenarios and a complete list of the Bengals’ 2015 schedule.

For more about the 2015 NFL season, click on the following team names for their respective previews:  Cleveland Browns| Green Bay Packers |Pittsburgh Steelers
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2015-2016 Cincinnati Bengals Preview

Overview

[sc:NFL240banner ]Bengals fans have been watching the same movie over the last four seasons, wherein Andy Dalton leads Cincy to the playoffs but fails to get past their first game there. This year, they want the team to get over that playoff hump and see Dalton justify the money Cincy is paying him.

Of course, that would mean the quarterback would have to play better with practically the same offensive unit he had last season. Jermaine Gresham is the only notable skill position loss on offense this offseason for the Bengals, and his void is likely to be replaced by Tyler Eifert.

As for the wide receivers, Dalton will once again have A.J. Green atop the pecking order together with a returning Marvin Jones. Green played just 13 games last season and garnered 1,041 receiving yards and caught only six touchdowns. The Bengals, meanwhile, are hoping that Jones lost none of his explosiveness after missing the entire 2014 campaign with a foot injury. Back in 2014, Jones had 51 receptions for 712 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The improvement of the Bengals’ passing game that ranked 21st last season in yards per game (213.8) in 2014 largely depends on the health of both of those guys. In any case, the Bengals will always have a bully backfield to carry the offense with Jeremy Hill acting as the unit’s bell cow. Hill was among the best rookies last year, finishing with 1,124 rushing yards and nine rushing scores on 222 carries.

Giovani Bernard, however, should remain integral to the running game following an otherwise disappointing season that saw him get 349 yards on the ground and only two rushing TDs. The Bengals were sixth in the NFL last season in rushing yards with 134.2 per game.

The Bengals’ offense also has room for improvement, considering that Cincy gave up 359.3 total yards per game in 2014, while having the fewest sacks in the league. With a few key additions to the defense, it’s hard to imagine Cincy improving its defense drastically. The news that Geno Atkins is doing well in training camp after a down season in which he only had three sacks, however, gives the Bengals’ D a ray of hope.

The Bengals are +225 to win the AFC North and +2,000 to take home the AFC title. They are also  +4,000 to cop the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl 50.

Offseason Review

The biggest issue for the Bengals last season, as pointed out earlier, was their defense. With that in mind, they entered the free agency with their sights set on adding bodies to their front seven. They signed linebacker A.J. Hawk, defensive tackle Pat Sims and returning defensive end Michael Johnson.

Johnson is the biggest signing of the three, with the Bengals expecting him to fortify the team’s weak right side. But with Johnson set to miss at least a month because of an MCL sprain suffered in training camp, the Bengals are now left to rely on the pair of Carlos Dunlap and Will Clarke to share defensive end duties.

Once he’s back, though, Johnson will have to recover the form that saw him have an 11.5-sack season in 2013. Over the last two seasons—split between the Bengals and the Bucs—Johnson only had 7.5 total sacks.

Cincinnati also used its first and second round picks on a couple of offensive linemen, namely Cedric Ogbuehi (21st overall) and Jake Fisher (53rd). The Bengals weren’t expected to retool their offensive line after the success they had in protecting Dalton and creating clean routes for Hill and company, but Ogbuehi and Fisher are quality picks nonetheless.

Fourth-round pick Josh Shaw, meanwhile, provides depth in the cornerback position that already has Adam Jones and Dre Kirkpatrick. Although Cincy was 20th in passing defense last season (243.0 yards allowed per game), the secondary showed up and had 20 picks, third most in the league.

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Key Player – Andy Dalton

Andy Dalton, who passed for 3,398 yards and 19 touchdowns with 17 interceptions last season, is being paid big bucks to be at the forefront of one of the most talented lineups in the league. And so far, he has zero playoff wins to show. With many of Cincy’s core players like A.J. Green, Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, and Giovani Bernard playing on final year of their current deals, 2015 may be the Dalton’s last chance to make it all work.

Key Game – vs. Baltimore (January 3)

Last year, the Bengals kicked off their season with a 23-16 win over Baltimore. This time, they’ll end it with what could be a make-or-break home game against the Ravens. The Ravens hit town, perhaps looking for a crucial win that can get themselves into the playoffs, too. It’s going to be an intriguing matchup, especially when considering that it may have huge implications in the AFC North. Dating back to 2005, the Bengals are 8-2 SU and ATS in their last 10 home games against Baltimore.

Best/Worst Case Scenario for the Season

Best Case Scenario

Dalton benefits from an even stronger offensive line and coupled with some improved accuracy, takes full advantage of a healthy tandem of Green and Jones. The running game produces heightened numbers, caused by porous defenses that now respect the Bengals’ passing game more than before. Cincy wins all of its eight home games and finishes the regular season on top of the AFC North with an 11-5 record.

Worst Case Scenario

Dalton takes his futility to another level with the Bengals missing the postseason. The defense does not improve despite the offseason changes, leading to a very disappointing season in which the Bengals end up with an 8-8 record.

Complete Schedule

WEEK | DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET)
1 | Sun, Sep 13 | @Oakland | 4:25 PM
2 | Sun, Sep 20 | vs San Diego | 1:00 PM
3 | Sun, Sep 27 | @Baltimore | 1:00 PM
4 | Sun, Oct 4 | vs Kansas City | 1:00 PM
5 | Sun, Oct 11 | vs Seattle |
6 | Sun, Oct 18 | @Buffalo | 1:00 PM
7 | Bye Week | |
8 | Sun, Nov 1 | @Pittsburgh | 1:00 PM
9 | Thu, Nov 5 | vs Cleveland | 8:25 PM
10 | Mon, Nov 16 | vs Houston | 8:30 PM
11 | Sun, Nov 22 | @Arizona | 4:05 PM
12 | Mon, Nov 28 | vs St. Louis | 1:00 PM
13 | Sun, Jan 3 | @Cleveland | 1:00 PM
14 | Sun, Dec 13 | vs Pittsburgh | 1:00 PM
15 | Sat, Dec 19 | @San Francisco | 8:30 PM
16 | Sun, Dec 27 | @Denver | 8:30 PM
17 | Sun, Jan 3 | vs Baltimore | 1:00 PM

Writer’s Prediction

Cincinnati makes the playoffs with a 10-6 record.
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