by Billy Rich
2013 Cincinnati Bengals
2012 Record: 10-6 (2nd in AFC North; T- Baltimore Ravens; Lost wild card playoff game to the Houston Texans.
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis (11th Season)
In 2012 the Bengals proved their recent success was not a fluke, but the team does have flaws that continue to haunt them. The 2013 season will tell if the Bengals is maturing enough to compete with the big boys. Cincinnatti have not been good against teams with winning records, and have games against top-tier teams Indianapolis, New England and Green Bay at home this year. Of course, the always tough AFC North opponents –Pittsburgh and Baltimore– will continue to test the Bengals. That being said, they are a tough team, particularly in their own division, and the 2013 Cincinnati Bengals are poised to make another run at the AFC North division title and a little further in the playoffs.
Throughout the season, the Bengals‘ playoff hopes rest on the shoulders, or should I say arm, of QB Andy Dalton. Entering his third season, Dalton has to improve his long ball game. He is not particularly accurate with throws over 15 yards, and If Dalton struggles deep, or struggles at all, the team will follow. So far this preseason, Dalton has continued to be challenged going deep. With a core of wide receivers to support him, he has to improve.
One Bengals’ 2013 draft choice, RB Giovani Bernard, has an opportunity to shake up the dynamics of the offense. Bernard is a speed back and that is just what offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has been hoping for. Known for his ability to catch passes out of the backfield and to run tough between the tackles, Bernard will add a dimension to the Bengals’ offense where RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis had sometime fallen short. With this one-two punch carrying the ball, the ground game is poised to improve. First-round pick tight end Tyler Eifert will also give the Bengals another option for Dalton, even if Eifert is a Notre Dame product. Expect the tight end position to become a bigger part of the offense for the Bengals this season.
Second-year receiver Mohamed Sanu, currently slotted at number two across from A.J. Green, will add to a decent core and again provide Dalton with some more tools to improve his game.
On defense, consistency is the name of the game with this group. In the middle of the defense, linebacker Rey Maualuga has a lot to prove this season. Testing free agency this year, he returns with high expectations that have yet to have been met. The addition of former Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison should shore up the heart of the defense, but he is getting older. The entire defensive back group could struggle tremendously in coverage this season. They have consistently taken bad angles on running plays and given up too many yards. The Bengals are searching for a complement to safety Reggie Nelson. Nelson, who is versatile enough to play either safety spot, can’t be in two positions at once, so this will be critical for the Bengals’ defense. On paper, the condition of the cornerbacks looks good in Cincinnati, but time and games played when they count will tell. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has a good core group to build on and the play of the defense this season will be a key factor to the success or failure of the Bengals.
Biggest upside for the Bengals in 2013: Andy Dalton is entering his third season and knows this could be it. There is a strong class of QBs coming out of college this year and no one is safe if they do not perform. The addition of rookie running back Giovani Bernard will provide some split time carrying the ball (and catching out of the back field), which should keep the running game fresh.
Bill’s Biggest questions for the Bengals in 2013: Maturity? Will the Bengals be able to build on their recent success? A core group of veterans and some key rookie additions and free agents (Harrison for one) need to come together to get this team past the first round, bu they must first get past the good teams.
Bill’s Final Bengals Thoughts and Prediction:
Bill’s Bengals 2013 Prediction 10-6 (second in the AFC North), behind the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers will struggle this year, the Browns just stink, and the Ravens, well, I’ll give them the nod because I like John Harbaugh.
Edited by: Todd LaPlante