The Cincinnati Bengals underachieved grossly in a frustrating 2006 season. The conduct of players off the field did nothing to help matters either with several players getting busted by Johnny Law. But as much as things went wrong last year the Bengal have enough big guns on offense to outscore anyone. Bodog.com has made the Cincinnati Bengals 15 to 1 odds to win the 2008 Super Bowl XLII.
Head Coach Marvin Lewis has every type of offensive weapon imaginable at his disposal. Lewis likes to use the power running game to set up the pass with a variety of looks. QB Carson Palmer has it all: He’s Smart, has leadership skills, and can make every throw in the book with some gas. Underrated RB Rudi Johnson is a mule. Johnson hits the hole hard as a power back and has a nice backup this year in rookie RB Kenny Irons.
RB Chris Perry also is a nice back with some wiggle but might not be back from injury before the season opener. WR Chad Johnson is a big-time wideout who has a unique combination of size, strength and athleticism. Johnson slumped late last season but expect him to bounce back with a big year. WR T.J Houshmanzadeh has very soft hands along with precise route running ability. The O-line experienced a drop off in the off-season with the departure of some key veterans but is still a powerful group overall.
The Cincinnati Bengal run a 4-3 Defense that has underachieved under so-called defensive guru Marvin Lewis. As a whole the Bengal D has been easy to score on. The D-Line is not aggressive enough. DE Justin Smith plays hard and is effective rushing the passer. On the other side DE Jason Geathers has explosive quickness and recorded 10.5 Sacks last season. The Line overall is suspect against the run but is still adequate. The linebacking core is a young unit that is inexperienced but has upside.
LB Ahmad Brooks is a sleeper that has yet to get his due. By the end of the year Ahmad Brooks could be a household name among football fans. Brooks can play the run and pass very well with his outstanding athleticism. The Secondary was picked on cruelly last year ranking a pitiful 31st in the league but should show improvement with more gameplay. CB Jonathan Joseph is a prospect who showed his ability as a playmaker with great coverage skills and dependability against the run. CB Deltha O’Neal is a gifted player that is injury prone and very unfocused. FS Madieu Williams is smart and tough but isn’t a wrap up tackler. On Special Teams the team lost some key coverage personnel but their core players return. Kicker Shayne Graham is a very solid NFL leg who has a strong leg on kickoffs. Punter Kyle Larson can sky some punts high and deep.
The Defense is the key. The Bengal play in a very tough AFC North Division so winning a division title will be a challenge. The offense has some thunder but if the D doesn’t make plays it might not matter.
Brad Marchetti Opening Day Cincinnati Bengal Power Ratings: 20-80 Scale
20- Poor
30- Well Below Average
40- Below Average
50- Average
60- Above Average
70- Very Good
80- Great
Coaching: 55
Quarterback : 70
Backs : 65
Receivers : 70
Offensive Line : 55
Defensive Line : 55
Linebackers : 55
Secondary : 55
Special Teams : 60
Bodog.com has posted NFL betting odds to win the 2008 Super Bowl XLII:
Arizona Cardinals 40/1
Atlanta Falcons 60/1
Baltimore Ravens 18/1
Buffalo Bills 100/1
Carolina Panthers 25/1
Chicago Bears 15/1
Cincinnati Bengals 15/1
Cleveland Browns 125/1
Dallas Cowboys 20/1
Denver Broncos 20/1
Detroit Lions 70/1
Green Bay Packers 38/1
Houston Texans 100/1
Indianapolis Colts 15/2
Jacksonville Jaguars 30/1
Kansas City Chiefs 50/1
Miami Dolphins 55/1
Minnesota Vikings 50/1
New England Patriots 8/5
New Orleans Saints 14/1
New York Giants 30/1
New York Jets 38/1
Oakland Raiders 70/1
Philadelphia Eagles 18/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 25/1
San Diego Chargers 6/1
San Francisco 49ers 15/1
Seattle Seahawks 18/1
St.Louis Rams 40/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 45/1
Tennessee Titans 50/1
Washington Redskins 40/1
