Gio Bernard, Jeremy Hill the Keys for Bengals in 2015

The Cincinnati Bengals have made the NFL Playoffs in a franchise record five consecutive seasons. Thus, the city of Cincinnati and the Bengals’ fan base as a whole has become expectant of a perennial postseason berth.

In order for Marvin Lewis and company to make it five straight appearances in 2015, Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill will need to be at their very best in tandem.

Hill was one of the most pleasant surprises of 2014, turning in the top season by any rookie running back that season. The second-round selection provided 1,124 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on an average of 5.1 yards per carry.

According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, Hill was the first rookie to rush for at least 1,000 yards on 5.0 yards per carry or better since LeGarrette Blount in 2010.

If that doesn’t impress you, don’t worry; the previous five rookies will.

Jeremy Hill did something in 2014 that only a select few running backs have. Adrian Peterson is one of them. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Peterson achieved the feat in 2007, preceded by Clinton Portis in 2002, Mike Anderson in 2000, Barry Sanders in 1989 and Bengals great Ickey Woods in 1988.

That’s good company.

As for Bernard, he struggled a bit in 2014. He averaged just 4.0 yards per carry and saw a decline of 1.1 yards per reception from 9.2 in 2013 to 8.1 in 2014.

Fortunately, a sophomore slump is not an indictment of a player’s career.

What Bernard and Hill have is what most teams dream of, trade for and draft to build: balance. Hill is a big and bruising between-the-tackles runner who can also bump outside for big gains as a runner.

Bernard is the perfect complement as a finesse back who can catch passes out of the backfield and keep defenses honest as a player who’s much stronger than he seems.

Gio Bernard has something to prove in 2015. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

As Andy Dalton approaches a career-defining season—for the umpteenth time, he’s 0-4 in the NFL Playoffs—Bernard and Hill will need to shine. The receiving corps staying healthy will play a major factor, but Bernard and Hill are the keys.

When that duo is moving the chains and finding the end zone with consistency, everything becomes easier for The Red Rifle.

Hill ran for upwards of 100 yards in five games during the 2014 season. The Bengals went 4-1 in those outings, including a massive 37-28 must-win upset of the Denver Broncos when Hill put up 147 yards and a score.

At 6’1″ and 238 pounds, Hill has the potential to be a genuinely elite NFL running back.

For Bernard, he amassed 100 total yards from scrimmage in five games in 2014. The Bengals went 4-0-1 in those clashes, with the only blemish being a 37-37 tie with the Carolina Panthers.

That would’ve been a win had Cincinnati converted a chip shot game-winner.

Bernard did battle injuries in 2014, but when he was healthy, he was dynamic. He surpassed 150 yards from scrimmage three times, posting 275 rushing yards and 161 receiving yards between those three outings.

The Bengals can only hope and pray that Benard will rediscover that form in 2015. If he does, and both he and Hill are collaboratively on their game, the Bengals may just have the best rushing attack in the AFC.

That level of balance is tough to find. As the New England Patriots showed last season with the likes of Blount and Shane Vereen, it can create a glorious outcome.

With two of the more promising young running backs in the NFL, the key to the Bengals’ success will be their discovering collaborative consistency.

Next: Which Cincinnati Bengals are under the most pressure in 2015?

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Cincinnati Bengals