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I'm not sure how many of you pay for an ESPN insider account but for those who don't here's an article published today by Herm Edwards on why the Bengals are the favorites to win the AFC North. You're welcome.
The AFC North has long been a division dominated by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. But coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, the Cincinnati Bengals are all of a sudden in the discussion this offseason as division favorites.
The Ravens won the Super Bowl last season, but remember: It's extremely tough to repeat, and they'll have a target on their backs all season. Plus, they completely purged their defense and lost the leadership of Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. Can the youth come together over the course of the season?
The Steelers had a down year in 2012 (and they don't stay down for long in Pittsburgh), but they also have a lot of questions. Their offensive line has young talent but has struggled so far in preseason. The defense is old in spots and the depth at secondary isn't very good.
The Browns? I think they'll be better this season, but they're still at least a year away from really competing in the division.
That leaves the Bengals, my pick to win the division. Here are three reasons why I like Marvin Lewis' team to win the division title.
An elite defense
Cincinnati allowed only 20 points per game last season (eighth in the NFL) and was the fifth-best overall defense by total yards allowed. The Bengals were seventh in passing defense and 12th in rushing D, showing that they were well-rounded. And they should be improved after this offseason.
Cincinnati should field one of the NFL's most dominant defensive lines, including Geno Atkins -- one of the best three-technique defensive tackles in the league. He had a dominant season in 2012 and will open up more space for talented pass-rushers like Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap. In the last eight games last season (during which the Bengals went 7-1), the defense had 31.0 sacks and allowed an average of only 12.75 points per game. Adding James Harrison as a free agent should add to Cincinnati's pass rush as well.
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is one of the best in the business and knows his personnel well. He plays to their strengths and will employ a lot of pressure, especially fire zone blitzes. Bringing pressure requires corners to hold up on an island, an area where Zimmer should now have more confidence with Leon Hall and Dre Kirkpatrick back on the outside. A 2012 first-round pick, Kirkpatrick played only four games as rookie because of injuries, but I love his length and his ability to press receivers at the line. Safety is still a bit of a question mark, as is the ability of Cincinnati's linebackers to hold up in sub packages, but this defense will be a force this season.
Terrific recent draft history
When you can stockpile young talent and hit on first- and second-round picks on a consistent basis, your team is going to improve dramatically. After the Carson Palmer deal with Oakland, Cincinnati was loaded with picks and didn't waste them. On the right is a list of Cincinnati picks in the first two rounds the past three years -- it's impressive.
Notable recent draft picks for CIN
Year Rd Pick Pos Player
2013 1 21 TE Tyler Eifert
2013 2 37 RB Gio Bernard
2013 2 53 DE Margus Hunt
2012 1 17 CB D. Kirkpatrick
2012 1 27 G Kevin Zeitler
2011 1 4 WR A.J. Green
2011 2 35 QB Andy Dalton
Not only have they added a potential franchise QB in Andy Dalton, they also have one of the best WRs in the game in A.J. Green. Kirkpatrick has the chance to be a very good corner in this league, while Zeitler had a terrific rookie season and started every game at guard. This April, they selected Tyler Eifert, Giovani Bernard and Margus Hunt.
Eifert and Bernard should vastly improve this offense (more on that below), and if you've been watching "Hard Knocks," you know how much potential Hunt has. Right now, he gives them more depth on the defensive line, but he could turn into an elite pass-rusher himself.
That's already a lot of talent, and this look at the draft doesn't even include potential steals like Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, Clint Boling, Brandon Thompson and others.
Improved versatility on offense
Teams are going to have a tough time stopping this Bengals offense because of the matchup problems it can create. I expect offensive coordinator Jay Gruden to go with a lot of two-tight end sets. That will allow Dalton to throw the ball inside the numbers, rather than have to push it downfield -- which isn't his strength. The Bengals will still take shots downfield to Green and others, but I expect more intermediate passes, which does play to Dalton's strengths.
But the biggest additions to this offense arrived in the form of Bernard and Eifert, and the stress they will put on defenses. Bernard is elusive in space and has a little Darren Sproles in him. He's very quick and excellent in tight areas. If he can hold up in blitz protection, his role will continue to increase.
Eifert should be one of Dalton's favorite targets beginning early in the season. He's the classic matchup-nightmare tight end who is too tall and strong for CBs to cover but too fast for LBs to keep up with. And defenses will have to decide whether to move into the nickel or stay in base packages against the two-TE sets. If they go to nickel, the Bengals can run the ball; if they stay in base, Cincinnati can flex Eifert or Bernard out and get a favorable matchup.
Most important, defenses can't double everyone. If they choose to double Green and/or bracket Eifert, it's going to leave single coverage for Sanu on the outside -- not to mention their excellent slot receiver Andrew Hawkins.
The Bengals understand what the big stage looks like, having been to the playoffs in two straight years, now they simply need to perform better on it. And that includes both Dalton and Marvin Lewis (Dalton has 0 TDs, 4 INTs in two playoff games; Lewis is 0-4 in the playoffs in his Cincy coaching career).
But first they have to get there. The Bengals have an elite defense, an influx of young talent and a very versatile offense, so I expect them to take the AFC North crown this year. Once they're in the playoffs, we'll see if they can take the next step and finally win a playoff game.
NFL - Herm Edwards - Why the Bengals are AFC North favorites - ESPN
The AFC North has long been a division dominated by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. But coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, the Cincinnati Bengals are all of a sudden in the discussion this offseason as division favorites.
The Ravens won the Super Bowl last season, but remember: It's extremely tough to repeat, and they'll have a target on their backs all season. Plus, they completely purged their defense and lost the leadership of Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. Can the youth come together over the course of the season?
The Steelers had a down year in 2012 (and they don't stay down for long in Pittsburgh), but they also have a lot of questions. Their offensive line has young talent but has struggled so far in preseason. The defense is old in spots and the depth at secondary isn't very good.
The Browns? I think they'll be better this season, but they're still at least a year away from really competing in the division.
That leaves the Bengals, my pick to win the division. Here are three reasons why I like Marvin Lewis' team to win the division title.
An elite defense
Cincinnati allowed only 20 points per game last season (eighth in the NFL) and was the fifth-best overall defense by total yards allowed. The Bengals were seventh in passing defense and 12th in rushing D, showing that they were well-rounded. And they should be improved after this offseason.
Cincinnati should field one of the NFL's most dominant defensive lines, including Geno Atkins -- one of the best three-technique defensive tackles in the league. He had a dominant season in 2012 and will open up more space for talented pass-rushers like Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap. In the last eight games last season (during which the Bengals went 7-1), the defense had 31.0 sacks and allowed an average of only 12.75 points per game. Adding James Harrison as a free agent should add to Cincinnati's pass rush as well.
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is one of the best in the business and knows his personnel well. He plays to their strengths and will employ a lot of pressure, especially fire zone blitzes. Bringing pressure requires corners to hold up on an island, an area where Zimmer should now have more confidence with Leon Hall and Dre Kirkpatrick back on the outside. A 2012 first-round pick, Kirkpatrick played only four games as rookie because of injuries, but I love his length and his ability to press receivers at the line. Safety is still a bit of a question mark, as is the ability of Cincinnati's linebackers to hold up in sub packages, but this defense will be a force this season.
Terrific recent draft history
When you can stockpile young talent and hit on first- and second-round picks on a consistent basis, your team is going to improve dramatically. After the Carson Palmer deal with Oakland, Cincinnati was loaded with picks and didn't waste them. On the right is a list of Cincinnati picks in the first two rounds the past three years -- it's impressive.
Notable recent draft picks for CIN
Year Rd Pick Pos Player
2013 1 21 TE Tyler Eifert
2013 2 37 RB Gio Bernard
2013 2 53 DE Margus Hunt
2012 1 17 CB D. Kirkpatrick
2012 1 27 G Kevin Zeitler
2011 1 4 WR A.J. Green
2011 2 35 QB Andy Dalton
Not only have they added a potential franchise QB in Andy Dalton, they also have one of the best WRs in the game in A.J. Green. Kirkpatrick has the chance to be a very good corner in this league, while Zeitler had a terrific rookie season and started every game at guard. This April, they selected Tyler Eifert, Giovani Bernard and Margus Hunt.
Eifert and Bernard should vastly improve this offense (more on that below), and if you've been watching "Hard Knocks," you know how much potential Hunt has. Right now, he gives them more depth on the defensive line, but he could turn into an elite pass-rusher himself.
That's already a lot of talent, and this look at the draft doesn't even include potential steals like Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, Clint Boling, Brandon Thompson and others.
Improved versatility on offense
Teams are going to have a tough time stopping this Bengals offense because of the matchup problems it can create. I expect offensive coordinator Jay Gruden to go with a lot of two-tight end sets. That will allow Dalton to throw the ball inside the numbers, rather than have to push it downfield -- which isn't his strength. The Bengals will still take shots downfield to Green and others, but I expect more intermediate passes, which does play to Dalton's strengths.
But the biggest additions to this offense arrived in the form of Bernard and Eifert, and the stress they will put on defenses. Bernard is elusive in space and has a little Darren Sproles in him. He's very quick and excellent in tight areas. If he can hold up in blitz protection, his role will continue to increase.
Eifert should be one of Dalton's favorite targets beginning early in the season. He's the classic matchup-nightmare tight end who is too tall and strong for CBs to cover but too fast for LBs to keep up with. And defenses will have to decide whether to move into the nickel or stay in base packages against the two-TE sets. If they go to nickel, the Bengals can run the ball; if they stay in base, Cincinnati can flex Eifert or Bernard out and get a favorable matchup.
Most important, defenses can't double everyone. If they choose to double Green and/or bracket Eifert, it's going to leave single coverage for Sanu on the outside -- not to mention their excellent slot receiver Andrew Hawkins.
The Bengals understand what the big stage looks like, having been to the playoffs in two straight years, now they simply need to perform better on it. And that includes both Dalton and Marvin Lewis (Dalton has 0 TDs, 4 INTs in two playoff games; Lewis is 0-4 in the playoffs in his Cincy coaching career).
But first they have to get there. The Bengals have an elite defense, an influx of young talent and a very versatile offense, so I expect them to take the AFC North crown this year. Once they're in the playoffs, we'll see if they can take the next step and finally win a playoff game.
NFL - Herm Edwards - Why the Bengals are AFC North favorites - ESPN
