2007 Cincinnati Bengals

The 2006 Bengals took their fans on a roller coaster ride they wish they could forget. A fast start quickly went south and a midseason recovery which had this team sitting pretty for the playoffs vanished before their very eyes with three straight losses to close out the season. A lack of focus is apparent with this team as evidenced by inconsistent stretched and off-the-field issues. Unless, head coach Marvin Lewis can get this team’s focus, they’ll be making quick exits from the postseason or not even making it, like we saw last year, even though they have some of the best talent in the league.

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Just how talented is the Bengals offense? Outside of Peyton Manning and his high-octane attack in Indy, QB Carson Palmer and his slew of speedy receivers are the best. In other words, an 8-8 season in unacceptable by an offense with this much ability. Carson Palmer has the arm nearly every team across the league wishes they had in their QB. Chad Johnson is a prototype wide out with the perfect combination of speed, size, and power and he gives you unwavering confidence to make him one of the game’s elite. T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry would be number one receivers on a dozen other NFL teams — that’s how good they are. And we can’t forget about Rudi Johnson, who sometimes gets overlooked in this pass-happy offense. He is the perfect powerhouse back who poses a major threat so that defenses can’t just sit on the passing game. And ,of course, it all starts with one of the game’s best offensive lines.

The defense is not bad, but still needs some help if the Bengals want to get to an elite level. Marvin Lewis has had five drafts now to bring in and develop key defensive positions, but they just haven’t panned out. Justin Smith and Robert Geathers are one of the most solid defensive end tandems in the league with both having the ability to reach double digit sack numbers as Geathers did last season. Smith is actually the more talented player and he is going to have to prove he is a Pro Bowl caliber talent this season. Youngsters are going to have to step up and perform this year, plain and simple. And Cincy is going to have to get a consistent pass rush to help out their weak secondary unit. The Bengals finished tied for last place in defending the pass last season. There has to be improvement in this area so that the offense doesn’t have to outscore other teams to win.

We have this team chalked up for a 10 win season as we believe there will be better focus in 2007 with Marvin Lewis cracking down on his loose cannons. You can bet this team to go Over the 9.5 wins number at Sportsbook.

By Jeff Alexander – 7/9/2007

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