National Football League

Bengals' 5-2 start raises expectations

Published Oct. 31, 2011 10:36 p.m. ET

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Nobody expected much out of the Cincinnati Bengals this season, given that they were starting a rookie quarterback and a rookie receiver.

A 5-2 start has changed everything.

The Bengals surpassed their victory total from last season when they beat Seattle 34-12 on Sunday. They've won four in a row, their longest such streak since 2009, when they reached the playoffs.

It's a complete reversal from the same time a year ago, when the Bengals were in the midst of losing 10 consecutive games with receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco getting most of the attention.

The 30-something reality show stars are gone, and the young Bengals team they've left behind is quickly growing up.

''The fact (is) that we're all young and no one has a name for themselves and everyone wants to make a name for this team,'' second-year defensive end Carlos Dunlap said on Monday. ''That's the big difference from last year to this year. Everybody's playing for one another.''

There's significance to the strong start. It's only the fourth time the Bengals have started 5-2 since 1990. The last three times, they reached the playoffs - 1990, 2005 and 2009. They won their first playoff game in 1990, but lost their first-round games in '05 and '09.

The Bengals play at Tennessee (4-3) next Sunday, followed by a four-week stretch against AFC North opponents that will give them a good feel for how they match up. They're tied for second with Baltimore, a half-game behind Pittsburgh.

''The confidence has always been there,'' Dunlap said. ''I don't know how you explain it. I think everybody's more comfortable with where we're at, but they're not complacent. They see the potential and strive to get there together.''

They've done it with a defense that ranks among the league's best, special teams that have been solid throughout, and an offense that does just enough with its limited experience.

Dalton ranks 18th in the NFL with an 82.7 passer rating, completing 62 percent of his passes for 1,479 yards with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. He's the second-highest ranked rookie passer in the league, trailing Cam Newton's 87.1 rating. Newton has thrown for 2,393 yards with 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions.

Dalton completed 18 of 29 for 168 yards against the Seahawks with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Bengals' fast start has been largely a function of Dalton's ability to avoid the game-changing mistake.

After the game in Tennessee, Dalton and the young offense will get tested during games against Pittsburgh, at Baltimore, home against Cleveland and at Pittsburgh. The game against the Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium on Nov. 13 will provide a chance to break their streak of seven straight home games that have failed to sell out.

At 5-2, they've given themselves a chance to make something of the rest of their season.

''It's great,'' Dalton said. ''We have to keep this momentum going.''

Notes: Coach Marvin Lewis had no update on CB Adam ''Pacman'' Jones' sore hamstring, which forced him out of the game Sunday following a 63-yard punt return. ... MLB Rey Maualuga said he jogged without pain on Monday for the first time. He's missed the last two games with a sprained left ankle, but hopes to be back for Tennessee. ... The Bengals received a two-day roster exemption on RB Cedric Benson, who was suspended for the game in Seattle because he violated the NFL's conduct policy. The Bengals will have to remove someone from the 53-man roster by Wednesday to open a spot for Benson.

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