win predictions for the Bengals

[JBUCK66]

I'm feeling a 9

 

[Cincyfan78]

Second hardest schedule in the NFL starting out. I doubt it will be that way at the end of the season. Defense will be better than last year, and offense should be better just by being a bit healthier.

9 sounds about right.

 

[Ojb81]

I wouldnt be surprised if the bengals have a great year with 12+ wins. Jeremy Hill is an absolute stud

 

[Cincyfan78]

I wouldnt be surprised if the bengals have a great year with 12+ wins. Jeremy Hill is an absolute stud

You forget...

Our coach is Marvin Lewis, and our QB is Andy Dalton...

 

[Ojb81]

You forget...

Our coach is Marvin Lewis, and our QB is Andy Dalton...

Lol well...maybe this is the year dalton goes nuts and lights it up?

 

[Cincyfan78]

Lol well...maybe this is the year dalton goes nuts and lights it up?

I'd say he'd sell his soul to win some important games, but...well, he doesn't have one.... LOL

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Second hardest schedule in the NFL starting out. I doubt it will be that way at the end of the season. Defense will be better than last year, and offense should be better just by being a bit healthier.

9 sounds about right.

Without even looking at the schedule, my thought was 9...but, after looking at it games 2 thru 7 are going to go a long way in determining the Bengals fate.

Burfict is a big part of that DEF...maybe getting Johnson back next to Geno will turn that DL back into a unit to fear.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I wouldnt be surprised if the bengals have a great year with 12+ wins. Jeremy Hill is an absolute stud

Hill is a stud. but Dalton is not...any AFCN team winning 12 games this year should make it to the SB.

 

[DanBengalfan]

The Bengals are due for a let down season.

As excited as I am about AJ Green and Jeremy Hill. the defense has had it's issues this preseason and doesn't inspire much confidence. Andy Dalton never inspires much confidence, unless we're playing a below average team or a team that's having issues like Denver was that one week we lucked out and beat them.

key players will get injured, people will make excuses for Dalton, and the season will tank earlier than usual.

7-9

 

[cincygrad]

10 wins. This is a good team and I expect that they'll continue to beat most average and below average teams.

I figure they will go 2-2 against the NFC-W teams, 3-1 vs. AFC-W teams, 1-1 against other AFC teams (Buffalo and Houston), and 4-2 in the division.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Without even looking at the schedule, my thought was 9...but, after looking at it games 2 thru 7 are going to go a long way in determining the Bengals fate.

Burfict is a big part of that DEF...maybe getting Johnson back next to Geno will turn that DL back into a unit to fear.

Atkins was a shell of himself last year. This year, he returns to pro-bowl status. That will go a long, long way for the DE's and other players to also get pressure. He will command the double teams that he did prior to the ACL. The double teams that teams did not have to use last year really hurt this defense. He's the engine that makes it go.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I think 10 wins is always a safe bet if the team stays healthy. If they do not, I am not sure our depth is as good as a lot of people are saying. I think if we start having starters go down, we could be in a for a very rough year.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Atkins was a shell of himself last year. This year, he returns to pro-bowl status. That will go a long, long way for the DE's and other players to also get pressure. He will command the double teams that he did prior to the ACL. The double teams that teams did not have to use last year really hurt this defense. He's the engine that makes it go.

Atkins...yeah a few games in he was holding the point of attack much better, but you could tell he didn't have the quick burst that he had...I have to think big guys with knees never get all the way back, but 2 yrs is the time frame for full recovery/confidence etc. so this should be his year.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Atkins...yeah a few games in he was holding the point of attack much better, but you could tell he didn't have the quick burst that he had...I have to think big guys with knees never get all the way back, but 2 yrs is the time frame for full recovery/confidence etc. so this should be his year.

He already looks like the old Geno. Same push, pancaking offensive lineman, demanding double teams and once this preseason, even triple team from what I remember seeing, or at least looked like it.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Atkins...yeah a few games in he was holding the point of attack much better, but you could tell he didn't have the quick burst that he had...I have to think big guys with knees never get all the way back, but 2 yrs is the time frame for full recovery/confidence etc. so this should be his year.

He has looked like his old self again this pre-season. Not just beating guys (it is pre-season afterall) but it's the quick bursts and the ability for him to get off the line that separates him from the rest of the DT's. That part of his game looks to have fully returned.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

He has looked like his old self again this pre-season. Not just beating guys (it is pre-season afterall) but it's the quick bursts and the ability for him to get off the line that separates him from the rest of the DT's. That part of his game looks to have fully returned.

Only now if he could take a few snaps...lol...couldn't resist.

Seriously...Cincy was a bit more than a QB away LY due to the DEF having a somewhat down year...Peko to me is just average, but Atkins, Johnson are special players and Dunlap is very talented. If the young back end guys Dennard and Kirkpatrick are ready to contribute consistently...it will again put the onus squarely on carrot top and Jackson to get team over the top.

Initially I said BAL and PIT would battle it out for this DIV...truthfully it could be CIN and BAL...Steelers are counting on a lot of DEF guys that are not proven but have potential.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Only now if he could take a few snaps...lol...couldn't resist.

Seriously...Cincy was a bit more than a QB away LY due to the DEF having a somewhat down year...Peko to me is just average, but Atkins, Johnson are special players and Dunlap is very talented. If the young back end guys Dennard and Kirkpatrick are ready to contribute consistently...it will again put the onus squarely on carrot top and Jackson to get team over the top.

Initially I said BAL and PIT would battle it out for this DIV...truthfully it could be CIN and BAL...Steelers are counting on a lot of DEF guys that are not proven but have potential.

Doesn't hurt that you have a top 5 offense.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

He already looks like the old Geno. Same push, pancaking offensive lineman, demanding double teams and once this preseason, even triple team from what I remember seeing, or at least looked like it.

A lot of good DTs can hold the point of a attack against the run and make the play or force the play into help. The penetration is what made him a dual threat player and a serious force...not many inside guys are as good vs run as they are the pass. I'll have to watch him

 

[Cincyfan78]

Only now if he could take a few snaps...lol...couldn't resist.

Seriously...Cincy was a bit more than a QB away LY due to the DEF having a somewhat down year...Peko to me is just average, but Atkins, Johnson are special players and Dunlap is very talented. If the young back end guys Dennard and Kirkpatrick are ready to contribute consistently...it will again put the onus squarely on carrot top and Jackson to get team over the top.

Initially I said BAL and PIT would battle it out for this DIV...truthfully it could be CIN and BAL...Steelers are counting on a lot of DEF guys that are not proven but have potential.

I agree with you on Pit. The defense scares me, and not in the way it used to when DL was running things. It's not looked good early on, but if the offense can buy enough time to win early games, maybe things will come together towards the end.

Baltimore just doesn't scare me. Their offense is...eh. And their defense is good up front, but their back end has been a mess for a few years now, and I don't see that changing. Losing their best WR on offense, and they are relying that Forsett can duplicate what he did last year. We'll see.

Questions abound for all 3 teams looking to compete in this division.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I agree with you on Pit. The defense scares me, and not in the way it used to when DL was running things. It's not looked good early on, but if the offense can buy enough time to win early games, maybe things will come together towards the end.

Baltimore just doesn't scare me. Their offense is...eh. And their defense is good up front, but their back end has been a mess for a few years now, and I don't see that changing. Losing their best WR on offense, and they are relying that Forsett can duplicate what he did last year. We'll see.

Questions abound for all 3 teams looking to compete in this division.

PIT...for various reasons, most injury related...I think the starting 11 on DEF have played maybe a QTR...they are probably going to show more 4 man DL with McCullers and McLendon as DTs...the DEs will be play more 1 gap technique and have more pass rush responsibility with the idea that the OLBs will not be relied on for pass rush as much as in the 3-4....the backend is more two deep safety...my thing is youth...McCullers, Tuitt, Shazier are all 2nd yr starters. Jarvis Jones and Shamarko Thomas are both 3 yr guys, but very limited starts. Damn near half the starters have less than 20 games played. I'm still seeing splash plays against this DEF, but the one thing I do know is they will be faster on the backend with Troy and Ike gone...I'm with you, the OFC is going to have to carry this bunch for a 5 or 6 games...'16 I expect to see a much better DEF.

BAL...they never look sexy on either side of the ball, but they are just a blue collar, smash mouth type group. The DEF front will be solid even w/o Ngata, but imo Suggs and Dumervil are losing a step...still good players that are going to make plays, as long as you don't try to block them with a RB or TE, they are probably not going to kill you. OFC...you're right...imo Smith was their best WR, but this new rookie is supposed to replace Torrey Smith? I'm thinking their OFC might take a few games to find themselves.

Agreed...questions surround all 3, but I think you're going to see these 3 teams battling it out again for the DIV.