Cincinnati Bengals 2016 preview: Can they finally win a playoff game?
For the fifth straight season, the Bengals made the playoffs. And for the fifth straight season, the Bengals were eliminated in the AFC Wild Card round. On the bright side, their 12-4 record last season equaled the franchise’s best-ever regular season campaign and it looked like they were primed to snap the “one and done” streak before starting QB Andy Dalton got hurt. This year, Dalton looks to pick up where he left off, and he’ll have one of the league’s best offensive lines protecting him in the process. There’s been some turnover at wide receiver, as Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu are out, while rookie Tyler Boyd and free-agent signee Brandon LaFell are in. On defense, they managed to retain some key pieces in the secondary, including Adam Jones and George Iloka, as well as add first-round pick William Jackson III, though a pectoral injury could keep the rookie out for the entire season. They should be able to make a strong run at a second consecutive division title, but it’ll mean nothing if they fail to win in the playoffs again.
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Dalton had a strong 2015 campaign in which he threw for 25 touchdowns in just 13 games. He consistently moved the ball down the field and — maybe most importantly — he protected the football, throwing just seven interceptions. If the sixth-year QB can build off that year and stay consistent, he’ll be the real deal.
Green has already established himself as one of the best wideouts in the entire league and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. With the departures of Jones and Sanu, Dalton and the Bengals may need his dominance now more than ever. FANTASY SPIN
One of the league’s most imposing front-seven threats, Atkins is a force to be reckoned with both in the run and pass game. The 28-year-old is looking to build on the 11 sacks he had last year, but he may face added resistance due to the fact that there’s not much help on the line.
A rookie wide receiver drafted in the second round out of Pittsburgh, Tyler Boyd joins the Bengals offense at an opportune time. First, the previous offensive coordinator, Hue Jackson, is now in Cleveland and the guy who replaced him — Ken Zampese — has been the team’s quarterbacks coach the past 13 seasons. Combine a pass-friendly coach with the Bengals’ previous WR2 and WR3 — Sanu and Jones — now with the Falcons and Lions, respectively, and Boyd finds himself in a position to start opposite A.J. Green Week 1.
(All lines courtesy of Bovada.com, as of 8/31)
Season win total over/under: 9.5 (over -115, under -115)
Odds to win the Super Bowl: 20/1. This could be the year Marvin Lewis' Bengals finally get their long-awaited playoff win. After that, anything can happen in the postseason, right? 20-to-1 isn't quite the value you'd want to gamble on Cincinnati, but there are definitely worse bets on the board.
One thing we wish we could bet on: Marvin Lewis receiving the dreaded "vote of confidence." Since Lewis has one year left on his deal, and since we imagine the Bengals will be pretty solid this year, ownership will try to squash any rumors of Lewis being on the hot seat. And that, in turn, will be the biggest indication that he's in trouble.
September 18, at Pittsburgh
Their first divisional game comes in Week 2 against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season in a viciously contested game. Not playing in that one: Vontaze Burfict, who is suspended for the first three games of the season and took a critical penalty in the closing seconds of that playoff loss.
October 30, vs. Washington
The Bengals and Redskins will face off at Wembley Stadium in London during Week 8.
January 1, vs. Baltimore
The Bengals close out the season at home against a divisional opponent, likely with some postseason implications on the line.
We say: 12-4, Divisional Round playoff loss
WhatIfSports simulation says: 9-7, wild-card playoff loss
— Pete Blackburn, Andrew Lynch (betting), Ryan Fowler (fantasy)
