2010 Season
Just two seasons ago the Cincinnati Bengals finished top of the
AFC North division on 10-6, making it to the playoffs where they
lost early on to the NY Jets. But then last season the wheels fell
off, and the Bengals finished dead last in the AFC North on 4-12,
prompting the team to be renamed in many circles as the
'Cincinnati Bungals.'
2011 Off Season
The Cincinnati Bengals are a classic example of an NFL
franchise that went from 'winners to sinners' in the space of a
single season. They started off well enough, winning two of their
first three games, before going on to lose 10 consecutive games.
And while they salvaged some pride by winning two of their last
three games, coming into the off season it was clear they were in
dire need of a complete overhaul. As such, head coach Marvin Lewis
bid farewell to CB Johnathan Joseph, LB Dhani Jones and WRs
Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, and welcomed LB Manny Lawson and
CB Nate Clements, and resigned RB Cedric Benson. Using the 2011
NFL Draft, he secured the services of QB Andy Dalton and WR AJ
Green.
2011 Preview
Why the Cincinnati Bengals dropped so much form in just one
season is something of a mystery, although the root of the problem
lay mainly with the team's offense. Consider how the team ranked
20th in the NFL last season with just 331 YPG, or a lowly 27th in
rushing with just 95 YPG. But if there was a silver lining to the
Bengals' offense, however, it's that they ranked 10th in
time-of-possession at 31:13 and went 7-9 ATS, which is better than
their record would suggest. Going forward, Cincinnati will have to
make do without QB Carson Palmer, who seems to have quit the team.
Which begs the question of whether rookie Dalton has what it takes
to start? The Bengals are also in a state of flux defensively with
the departure of CB Johnathan Joseph and LB Dhani Jones, and the
sidelining of LB Keith Rivers to injury. The Bengals risk being
sucked even further into the black hole this season, before they
start to rebuild and climb back up the NFL ranks.
2011 Prediction
Despite the mountains of hours coach Lewis and his colleagues
must have spent trying to 'fix' the Cincinnati Bengals during the
off season, the team doesn't appear to be even remotely repaired.
Consider how they were thrashed 34-3 in their first preseason game
against the Lions and by 27-7 in their second preseason
against the Jets. So do not be surprised if the Cincinnati Bengals
manage to finish the season on 0-16.
**Our Pick
Considering the Cincinnati Bengals haven't won a playoff game
since 1990, and are highly unlikely to make it even close to
reaching the playoffs this season, even tempting longshot bets
offered by NFL oddsmakers should be avoided at all costs. If
the Bengals have any hope of improving on last year's record, it
may well rest with the return - as unlikely as that is - of QB
Carson Palmer.
2011/12 Cincinnati Bengals Schedule
| Date |
Opponent |
9/11/2011
|
@ Cleveland Browns
|
| 9/18/2011 |
@
Denver Broncos |
| 9/25/2011 |
vs. San Francisco
49ers |
| 10/2/2011 |
vs. Buffalo Bills |
| 10/9/2011 |
@ Jacksonville
Jaguars |
| 10/16/2011 |
vs. Indianapolis
Colts |
Bye
|
| 10/30/2011 |
@ Seattle Seahawks |
| 11/6/2011 |
@ Tennessee Titans |
| 11/13/2011 |
vs. Pittsburgh
Steelers |
| 11/20/2011 |
@ Baltimore Ravens |
| 11/27/2011 |
vs. Cleveland
Browns |
| 12/4/2011 |
@ Pittsburgh
Steelers |
| 12/11/2011 |
vs. Houston Texans |
| 12/18/2011 |
@ St. Louis Rams |
| 12/24/2011 |
vs. Arizona
Cardinals |
| 1/1/2012 |
vs. Baltimore
Ravens |
|
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