Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Offense 2016: Previewing Cincinnati's Strength

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The 2016 Bengals offense looks scary. If Andy Dalton limits turnovers he’ll have a real chance to be MVP this year. The running game is back.

Now that the majority of Preseason cuts have happened we can preview the 2016 Bengals offense with some certainty. While the combo of Dalton/Green will stay intact for this season, don’t expect a dynamic Receiving corps the likes of Chad Johnson and T. J. Houshmandzadeh or A.J. Green and Marvin Jones.

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This receiving corps, even counting the tight end position, will be relatively young outside of AJ Green and Brandon Lafell. Of course, the wide receivers best friend is a rushing attack that brings a solid play-action passing attack with it. With the return of Jeremy Hill‘s downhill rumble and Giovani Bernard‘s sideways shake the Bengals 2016 offense will remain dynamic even as it is dynamically different from last year’s campaign.

Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

What about the Offensive Line?

The Bengals offensive line will be a force to be reckoned with in 2016. Injuries this preseason to Jake Fisher and Cedric Ogbuehi may make the start of the season somewhat difficult. But, overall this Bengals offensive line will dominate. Outside the occasional struggles of Center Russell Bodine, this line will maul and mangle defensive lines all year.

For any O-line to be considered elite the left tackle must be highly skilled. Luckily for the Bengals, Andrew Whitworth is just that: elite. At age 33, Whitworth is experienced, skilled and has a great relationship with Andy Dalton. Yet, one of the most important players on the team could be backup lineman Jake Fisher.

The flexibility of Fisher to play multiple positions allows for a solid rotation for the O-line as they plug and play him in various roles all season. At guard and center, the O-line looks to be solid and dependable yet again. Last year the trio of Zeitler, Bodine and Boling barely missed any snaps. That kind of consistency paired with a Pro-Bowl caliber LT should lead to the Bengals offense dominating the line of scrimmage all year. At RT, the Bengals upgraded the position by simply not re-signing Andre Smith. Consequently, Cedric Ogbuehi and veteran Eric Winston manning the Right Tackle spot will be more than sufficient, assuming the injuries to Jake Fisher and Ogbuehi don’t persist all year.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green.Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Receiving Corps

Many projected depth charts for 2016 had Brandon Tate being the primary slot receiver. However, Tate was cut earlier today thus ushering in somewhat of a youth movement for Bengals receivers. The greatness of A.J. Green cannot be overstated no matter who the other receivers are. Green will not only draw the opposing defenses best CB; he will also draw consistent double teams. These double teams will allow a possession receiver like Brandon Lafell to excel much like Houshmandzadeh alongside Chad Johnson.

While that comparison is not exact (Green is better than Johnson and Houshmandzadeh), double teams will allow a possession receiver like Brandon LaFell to excel much like Houshmandzadeh alongside Chad Johnson.

Although the similarities are not accurate (Green is better than Johnson and Houshmandzadeh was better than Lafell) it does mean that Dalton should have plenty chances to rocket himself into the conversation for MVP this season.

Andy Dalton should have plenty chances to rocket himself into the conversation for MVP this season

One of the scariest parts of this year’s offense is how important rookie WR Tyler Boyd will be to Bengals success. If Lafell is healthy on the outside and Green continues his Hall of Fame career, there will be countless opportunities in the slot for Boyd. Anytime a team has to trust a rookie there is always concern. However, Boyd has the skill set and talent to work in the open field and run down the seam off of play-action passes and QB bootlegs.

Bengals tight end Ryan Hewitt. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Can the Tight Ends stay Healthy?

When Tyler Eifert went down in the Pro Bowl last year the Bengals knew they would need a backup plan at TE to start the 2016 season. That backup plan was Tyler Kroft who was then injured early in a preseason practice. Both players will miss at least a few games with Eifert eyeing a return between Weeks 4-6. Now, fullback Ryan Hewitt and backup TE CJ Uzomah will see mostly blocking duties in the tight end role starting the season out. Pounding the ball behind a rock star O-line with two dynamic RB’s will make the job easier. Blocking and leaking out for receptions in the flat off of play-action will be the primary receiving function for the TE early in the season. As the two Tyler’s come back from injury Bengals, fans should expect the Offense to continually improve all year.

Bengals running back Rex Burkhead. Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Shake, Rattle and Roll: The Story of the Bengals Rushing Attack

The injury to Cedric Peerman was a blow to the depth at the running back position for the 2016 Bengals. The Bengals still have the dynamic duo of Hill and Bernard. They run behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. Hill will look to climb out of the valley of Playoff fumbles and distance himself from the likes of Earnest Byner.

If he can clear his mind and regain his 2014 form, this will be a scary, strong running game.

Add in Rex Burkhead (a poor man’s Danny Woodhead) and you have a scrappy, talented mix of runners to alleviate the pressure on the new receiving corps. Look for a heavy dose of the running game early in games to establish play-action pass opportunities. Once the field opens up, the attack will be pass-heavy. The 4th quarter is when the Bengals can pound a tired defensive line and control the clock to victory.

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Andy Dalton: 2016 NFL MVP

The QB position for the Bengals is very much settled and very much in good shape. Andy Dalton has the talent, arm, mobility and experience to be one of the best in the league this year. Hopefully, he doesn’t break any more bones attempting to tackle someone this year. In

In case of another injury, the Bengals are fortunate to have a backup QB that saw extended regular season and playoff action last year. A.J. McCarron proved himself to be a solid QB and caught the attention of many teams in need of a starting QB this offseason.

If Dalton plays every game, the Bengals will be in a position to win the Division and home field throughout the Playoffs. Yet, Dalton won’t have the comfortable surroundings of WR’s he knows well. He will have to navigate through audibles, be patient with check down passes and take the deep opportunities. If he uses the running game to his advantage, this Bengals team will score a ton of second half points.

No one really knows exactly what the methodology of the 2016 Bengals offense will be. What do we know? If Dalton limits turnovers and returns to form, he will have a real chance to be MVP this year.

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