How the Cincinnati Bengals can win the AFC North
3. Fix the defensive unit
The Cincinnati Bengals are not a team that usually goes out and spends a lot of money adding veteran players via free agency. The organization has relied heavily on its ability to find players via the draft and, despite a lack of postseason success, the franchise has done very well in this regard.
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In terms of free agent addition in 2019, the list includes guard John Miller (Buffalo Bills) and a pair of former New York Giants in defensive lineman Kerry Wynn and cornerback B.W. Webb. The latter duo hopes to help new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo turn things around this season. The one-time assistant with the Miami Dolphins and Giants inherits a unit that allowed the most total yards and most rushing yards in the league this past season.
The Bengals surrendered 49 offensive touchdowns in 2018, 32 of those through the air. The club allowed at least 23 points in all but three games. While this club finished plus-1 in turnover-differential, it should be noted that the club forced only 18 turnovers. In fact, Cincinnati has totaled a mere 32 takeaways in as many games the past two seasons combined.
Defensive linemen Geno Atkins (10) and Carlos Dunlap (8) combined for more than half of the club’s 34 sacks. But safeties Jessie Bates (111) and Shawn Williams (108) finished 1-2 on the team in tackles, respectively, and combined for eight of the Bengals’ 12 interceptions. But Anarumo will need more from the linebacking corps this season.