The Bengals or the Bungles?

Is this year different?

If you have ever spent time following Cincinnati sports you understand our annual routine.

Every fall we convince ourselves that this year is different, that this is finally the year of the Bengals! Deep down we know that we will ultimately be disappointed. However, the hope keeps us coming back.

Most seasons, parity in the NFL keeps the Bengals in contention until Christmas as they finish around 9-7 and possibly squeak into one of the last playoff spots. After losing in the first round, Cincinnati turns its attention to college basketball.

It’s much of the same with UC and Xavier. They help get us through the long, cold winter nights and provide excitement into March. Then Opening Day arrives and World Series chants echo through the Queen City.

As the dog days of summer come to an end and the Cardinals take the NL Central, we start over and the city begins to believe again that this is the year of the Bengals!

So as the first leaves begin to fall we must ask ourselves: “Is 2014 different?” “Could this be our year?”

Before we proclaim the Queen City the King of the NFL, let’s take a look at this year’s team.

The 2014 Bengals appear to be the top dog in the AFC North heading into the regular season. However, if the Bengals want to take the next step and earn their first playoff win since 1990 they will have to rely on the $100 million dollar arm of Andy Dalton. Andy is currently 0-3 in playoff appearances and his stats in those games are horrendous. Dalton has thrown only 1 touchdown and 6 interceptions in his short post season career.

For Dalton, consistency is the biggest issue. “Good Andy” puts up numbers comparable to some of the best QB’s in the league. When Dalton is on his game, the Bengals can beat any team in the NFL. Unfortunately for Bengals fans, they are just as familiar with “Bad Andy.” This is the Dalton that goes 23 for 42 with 0 TD’s and an interception in a loss to the Browns. This is the Andy that has historically shown up when the lights shine brightest. In order for the Bengals to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2014, they will need to see far more “Good Andy”… especially in the post season.

Mike Brown and company have given Dalton so many weapons that it would be nearly impossible for Andy to not be successful in 2014. A.J Green is one of the league’s best receivers and Geovanni Bernard is knocking on the door to top back territory. Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert have many similarities to the Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez combo that lit up defenses in New England (well except for the off field issues). The Bengals present a matchup nightmare for opponents and could produce huge numbers with some consistency at the quarterback position.

The big offensive concern for Bengals fans is the center position. Rookie Russell Bodine will be filling big shoes after the retirement of Kyle Cook. Bodine was manhandled in the preseason by Arizona nose tackle Dan Williams which is not a good omen for the season. Given Dalton’s struggles vs. the pass rush, it will be important for Bodine to improve quickly.

Fortunately for Cincinnati fans, the Bengals defense alone is good enough to lead the Bengals into the playoffs. They have the best defense in the AFC North and maybe in the NFL. Last year, the defense was dominant despite missing Geno Atkins and Taylor Mays for a majority of the season. This year a healthy Cincinnati defense will cause many sleepless nights for opposing offensive coordinators.

So is this the year of the Bengals?

I wouldn’t be a true Cincinnatian if I didn’t take the bait. Let’s get excited Bengals nation. It is time to buy into the hype once again. The Bengals have put together one of the best teams in the NFL and I am going to enjoy the ride. This is our year!

I will probably have my heart broken once again in January.. But by then it is time for college basketball anyways..

WHO DEY!

 

This is the first ever publication of Nick Bachus, and a damn fine one at that.  Nick is a true Cincinnatian and West Sider in every sense of the word.  In fact, he is probably more West Side than attending a Friday night football game taking place in the Price Hill Chili parking lot.  Look for more posts from Nick touching on the Bengals and many more topics on www.griftkrehnbrink.com.