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Cincinnati Bengals need a statement win against Seattle Seahawks in Week 5

By Nick Ziegler

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The Cincinnati Bengals are off to a great start in 2015 with a 4-0 record and a comfortable lead in the AFC North.

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Week 5 will present a difficult task for the Bengals, as they will be hosting the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks are coming to Cincinnati on a short week after a victory on Monday Night Football against the Detroit Lions, which makes this a very winnable game for the Bengals.

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In recent years, the Bengals have had great regular seasons but have always seemed to come up short against the premier teams in the league. It was just last season that the Bengals were one of the hottest teams to start the season with a chance to defeat the New England Patriots. Despite coming off a bye week, the Bengals were absolutely blitzed by the then 2-2 Patriots.

After only allowing 33 points in the first three games of the 2014 season, the Bengals would allow 43 in their loss to the Patriots.

This season has set up very similar to last year, as the main difference is that the Bengals will be at home this time against one of the more established teams in the NFL.

The Seahawks will be coming into Cincinnati with a 2-2 record and some serious issues after years of success. With back-to-back trips to the Super Bowl, the Seahawks have understandably lost players in free agency, which has led to some changes mainly on the offensive line.

In the Seahawks’ win against the Lions, Russell Wilson was sacked six times which is not something that the Seahawks can like seeing happen to their franchise quarterback. One of the losses to the Seahawks’ offensive line was the trading of center Max Unger to the New Orleans Saints for tight end Jimmy Graham.

Oct 5, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) causes Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) to fumble the football as he is sacked during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Graham hasn’t really been too involved in the offense, as he has really only had one good game so far this season. The Bengals may also be catching a huge break with running back Marshawn Lynch being hurt, as his status for Week 5 is up in the air as of now. The Seahawks’ offense is clearly not right without Lynch, as his absence against the Lions almost led to a 1-3 start for the Seahawks.

The biggest test for the Bengals will be how to go about attacking the Seahawks’ defense. Cincinnati has had success on both the ground and through the air so far this season, and a balanced attack like that will be important on Sunday.

Andy Dalton has a horrible reputation in big games like the Bengals will have in Week 5, but so far he has been great in 2015. This season, Dalton has totaled 1,187 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, one interception, and a 67.8% completion percentage.

It is no secret who is Dalton’s favorite target, as A.J. Green is off to a great start to the season along with his quarterback. In four games, Green has totaled 25 receptions, 417 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. The emergence of tight end Tyler Eifert has really helped Dalton this season as well, as he has totaled 16 receptions, 222 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns.

The Bengals are always asked about their shortcomings in big games and the playoffs. If they would like to get the monkey off their back and prove that this season is different from years past, they need to beat the Seahawks at home and send a message to the rest of the league.

Next: Reasons why the Bengals will win the AFC North with ease

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