Cincinnati Bengals 2012 Team Preview

The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the top rising teams in the NFL. Cincinnati is loaded with young talent and the organization got new life after last year’s draft when they selected wide receiver AJ Green and quarterback Andy Dalton. The rookie duo immediately made their impact felt on the league as Dalton threw for 20 touchdowns and 3,000 yards while Green racked up 1,000 receiving yards.

Cincinnati’s young offense isn’t the only big story surrounding the Bengals. The defense is very underrated and finished in the top ten against the run.

The Bengals had a solid offseason and will hope to improve on the success they felt last season as a playoff team.

2011 Record: 9-7

Key Additions: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB — Derrick Harvey, DE — Terence Newman, CB — Jamaal Anderson, DE — Travelle Wharton, OT — Jason Allen, CB

Key Losses: Cedric Benson, RB — Jerome Simpson, WR — Jordan Shipley, WR — Andre Caldwell, WR — Bobbie Williams, OG — Nate Livings, OG — Jonathan Fanene, DE — Frostee Rucker, DE

Offense: The Bengals need to avoid a sophomore slump from Dalton and Green. They will be the key to Cincinnati’s continued growth and success. New addition BenJarvus Green-Ellis should fit right in and give the Bengals enough production to make up for the loss of Cedric Benson. Having a force in the running game is key to opening up the passing game for Dalton and Green.

Defense: Cincinnati’s defense is one of the most underrated units in the league. As previously mentioned, they were a top ten defense against the run last season and they have only improved. The defense will be faced with big challenges from the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens but they have shown over the past few seasons that they are prepared for the task.

The defense is what takes the Bengals from a very good team to a playoff contender. They will need to keep playing at a high level. They are on the right path with the improvement in their secondary.

Coaching: Marvin Lewis has been the Bengals coach since January 14th of 2003. Over that span of time, he has seen his teams on the verge of breaking through, a string of mediocrity and then suffered through some flat out terrible seasons. The team is now on the right path again and this time they have what it takes to break through.

Breakout Player: Orson Charles, tight end. Charles had second round talent but slipped to the Bengals in the fourth-round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Last year we saw how valuable an athletic tight end can be to an offense and Charles will bring that dynamic. Orson does sit behind Jermaine Gresham on the depth chart but his pass catching ability could get the Bengals coaching staff to put him on the field more often to create mismatches.

2012 Prediction: There is no reason to believe that the Bengals will take a step back this year. Their young talent has another year of experience under their belt and things should only get better as their chemistry builds. The Bengals improved their secondary in the offseason which was one of their biggest needs and it should set them up to become a more well-rounded defensive unit. This team has everything it takes to challenge for the AFC North title.
Record prediction: 10-6

Overview: Cincinnati is one of the NFL’s most exciting young teams and this year should only build more hype around them. It could be the year that the Bengals challenge the Steelers and Ravens at the top of the AFC North and they seem capable of upsetting either of their division foes. It would not be a surprise to see the Bengals make the playoffs while either the Steelers or Ravens miss the postseason this year.