The Marvin Lewis era in Cincinnati took a step backwards last season in more ways than one. Not only was their play on the field sub-par, internal bickering and player legal troubles brought the kind of attention that management and coaches do not want. This year the team will look to put those things behind them as they try to catch the Steelers and the upstart Browns. NFL Betting odds at SBGglobal.com are not totally down on the Bengals chances of doing that. Cincinnati is listed at +300 odds to win the AFC North.
The team's offense should be more than capable of keeping them in games. The
y were not as productive last year as they had been in previous seasons, but the numbers they posted were far from poor. The team scored 23.8 points per game and amassed 250.7 yards passing per game. Those averages were good enough for eleventh and seventh league rankings, respectively. Carson Palmer, who passed for over 4000 yards in 2007, will still be distributing the ball to T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the disgruntled Chad Johnson this season. Palmer also will be protected by an offensive line that gave up just 17 sacks in 2007.
The primary concern for the offensive coaching staff was the decline in the running game last year. Rudi Johnson missed a lot of action and when he did play he was ineffective. Kenny Watson filled in well, but a healthy Johnson would be a major boost.
The Bengal defense had a number of reasons to hang its head in 2007. For starters, there was the 24.1 points per game they allowed, and for finishers look no further than the 348.7 yards per game they allowed.
The squad does have some talent in spite of what the numbers may indicate. They will be without defensive end Justin Smith who signed with the Forty-Niners in the off season, but they picked up Antwan Odom from Tennessee to replace him. They also added USC linebacker Keith Rivers through the draft, and one-time standout Odell Thurman has been reinstated by the league too. The secondary also has a good combination of youthful speed and veteran experience.
Prediction: 3rd Place AFC North.
