Cincinnati Bengals Season Preview
The Cincinnati Bengals had a very disappointing season last year, finishing with a 7-9 record. Despite the team missing the playoffs they are confident they will be back in the playoffs this year because they are loaded with a lot of talent. NFL betting picks have the Bengals not favored. This means they will not make the playoffs.
The Bengals offense will remain intact, but the team will make Joe Mixon, who had a solid rookie campaign, the starter this season.
Mixon split time with Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill last season but still led the team with 626 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also had 286 receiving yards last season.
Andy Dalton struggled at the beginning of last season but eventually found his groove. Unfortunately, it was too late to help the Bengals make a playoff push. With a new offensive coordinator calling plays this year, the Bengals are hoping Dalton will get back to his Pro Bowl form. If you live in Canada and would like to bet on NFL games check out these Canada sports betting sites for NFL wagering.
Dalton should have plenty of time to throw this season as the team focused on fixing their offensive line during the offseason. If the line can keep Dalton upright, he will have more than enough time to pick defenses apart.
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A.J. Green went over 1,000 yards last season and finished with eight touchdowns, and will be expected to have an even bigger season this year with a running game that will keep defenses honest.
Defensively, the Bengals will have to play their first four games of the season without the services of linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who will serve a suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
With Burfict out, the Bengals defense will need to step things up until he returns. Cincinnati’s defense will also need to do a better job controlling their emotions, which has been a problem for several years. The defense has cost the team a few games because they made dumb penalties at crucial times.
If Marvin Lewis can’t get his defense under control this season, he might finally run out of second chances with the Bengals and get his walking papers after the season.