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Cincinnati Bengals Post-Draft, Preseason Picks 2018

May 21, 2018 Chris Russell Leave a Comment

Now that the 2018 NFL Draft is in the rear view mirror and off-season moves have been made, the Cincinnati Bengals could make some noise in the AFC North this fall.

They picked up a handful of players who have more than a handful of promise. They will have OC Bill Lazor running the show on offense and he will go into the year having a full offseason to prepare and install his offense this time. He’s a guy who, let’s face it, would win every “Bitchin-est Name” contest if those things existed.

Those things, combined with a couple of very winnable early-season games and the fact that we play in the same division as the Cleveland Browns, means the playoffs could be within reach this year.

Here’s a game-by-game pick of how I think the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2018 season will go.

Cincinnati Bengals Game-by-Game Picks

Week 1 @ Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck has been out of action since being placed on injured reserve last November. The Colts’ 4-12 record shows how important he is to the team. A rusty shoulder combined with a long layoff leads one to think Cincy will start the season 1-0. Put me down as that one. 1-0

Week 2 vs Baltimore Ravens
Of all the picks, this is the one that has me running in slow-mo through a wheat field with my arms open. Cincinnati beat the Ravens 31-27 to end 2017. An early season win here means a one-game lead against a division contender. It also means momentum. That could be the difference between the playoffs or not. 2-0

Week 3 @ Carolina Panthers
The Carolina offense was very un-Cam Newton like in 2017. They were 28th in the league in passing offense. Fortunately, their rushing D only gave up 88 yards a game, and the team rode that stat to a 5th-seed playoff berth. Given the Cincinnati Bengals’s shaky ground game the last few years, we think the Panthers take this one. 2-1

Week 4 @ Atlanta Falcons
The last time there was an air attack this scary, Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds was in theaters. It starts with the 150 Million Dollar Man Matt Ryan and continues with Pro Bowler Julio Jones, 67-catch Mohamed Sanu and first-rounder Calvin Ridley. Sad to say, it looks like the Bengals won’t be able to keep up. 2-2.

Week 5 vs Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins either won small or lost big last year. Five of their fix wins were by one possession or less. Six of their 10 losses were by 14 points or more. They have a new weapon this year in Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki, but a non-quarterback expected to generate an extra two TDs per game is a tall order. Miami won’t be able to generate enough points to keep up with Dalton and Co. 3-2

Week 6 vs Pittsburgh Steelers
There, we said the name … blood boiling yet? If it weren’t for Le’veon Bell’s two-hand touch TD last year, the Bengals could have snapped their losing streak against the Steelers, which now stands at six. As much as we hate to say it, the Bengals will continue to play catch-up in this rivalry. We won’t pick ’em until they beat Pittsburgh. 3-3

Week 7 @ Kansas City Chiefs
KC took the AFC West last year, and lost to the Tennessee Titans in the wild-card by one point. They’ve had the whole off-season to stew on what might have been. That, plus home-field advantage, is enough to convince me. 3-4

Week 8 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers should’ve been called the Butt-aneers, what with their tail-end finishing in total defense in 2017. They allowed 378 yards per game and collected a paltry 22 sacks. The Bengals may not roll in this one, but they won’t lose. 4-4

Week 9 vs New Orleans Saints
Besides Pittsburgh, this is arguably our toughest opponent. QB Drew Brees is still churning out Pro-Bowl caliber stats. The defense, while middle of the road, doesn’t need to be special with the offense generating 391 yards a game. Will Cincinnati win? (shake magic 8 ball) Don’t count on it. 4-5

Week 10 @ Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens will have had time to gel by this point. I’m not feeling a second win for some reason. Don’t ask, just a hunch. 4-6

Week 11 vs Cleveland Browns
5-6

Week 12 vs Denver Broncos
Denver averaged just over two sacks a game in 2017, so they hope to shore up their pass rush with, among other players, first-round draft pick DE Bradley Chubb. He’ll have had some time to get his feet underneath him by Week 12, but he will need more than that. The Cincy O-line will hold up against the blitz, and the team will win. 6-6

Week 13 @ Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers possess the most lethal air attack since Alfred Hitchc …… oh, wait. You already heard that one. So you already know our prediction here. 6-7

Week 14 vs Oakland Raiders
The Oakland/Las Vegas Raid-uhs haven’t been that special since 2002, with only one playoff appearance since then. Jon Gruden’s return will pay dividends long-term, but in the meantime, the Bengals take this one. 7-7

Week 15 @ Cleveland Browns
8-7

Week 16 @ Pittsburgh Steelers
See my previous point about the team from up northeast.

Final record: 8-8. If we can get the wins against divisional opponents, then I say we got a shot at the postseason.

Game 10 Recap: Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos

November 20, 2017 Chris Russell Leave a Comment

First the good thing, then the unbelievable thing.

The good thing is that the Cincinnati Bengals eeked out a 20-17 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The unbelievable thing is that the Bengals, now 4-6, are only one game behind the sixth seed for the final AFC wild card spot. Several other teams are in the mix as well, and there’s a lot of football left to play. But the mere fact that the team still has a chance at the postseason makes us feel like Uma Thurman after she got that adrenaline shot in Pulp Fiction.

The win was uglier than John Travolta thrusting a needle into your heart, but we’ll take it.

How Things Went

If you read the final stats without seeing the game, you’d roll your eyes, groan, and think ‘typical Bengals.’ Cincinnati generated less than 200 yards of total offense. The running game needed a syringe to the chest. The offensive line gave up two sacks and eight tackles for loss. Somehow, though, Andy Dalton threw three TD passes and the Bengals didn’t trail after taking the lead with 12:55 to go in the second quarter. Vontaze Burfict notched 12 tackles to lead the D.

Cincinnati Bengals Player of the Game

We’ll go with Dre Kirkpatrick (insert smile here). He picked off a Brock Osweiler pass in the end zone and returned it 101 yards … and still didn’t score. Which brings us back to that smile. On the 20-yard line, the ball jumped out of Kirk’s hands, untouched, like a poodle who realizes his owner is taking him to the vet. He fell on the ball at the one. Dalton threw a short touchdown pass on the ensuing “drive”, so hopefully he bought Kirk a beer after the game to thank him for the gift.

What This Means Going Forward

Each member of the Cincinnati Bengals should read that part about only being one game out of the playoff spot. They should copy it, tape it to the back wall of their lockers, and get temporary tattoos of it on their forearms. Achieving that will require better numbers than the team got today, but it can be done.

Cincinnati Bengals Early Game-by-Game Win Loss Predictions: 2017

June 11, 2017 Chris Russell Leave a Comment

The Cincinnati Bengals are primed for a big 2017 season. Between their talented starters, rookies who will be exciting to watch, and wanting to make amends for last year, there are lots of reasons for every Bengals fan to get excited. Especially us.

This week, Bengal boys Nate and Chris give you a game-by game prediction for Cincy in 2017.

Cincinnati Bengals Predictions Game by Game

Week 1 – vs Baltimore Ravens (September 10)
Chris: WIN – Joe Flacco only threw for 20 TDs last year, and 15 picks. Leading TE Dennis Pitta dislocated his hip last week and has since been released. Suspect passing game leads to Bengals’ win.

Nate: WIN – The Bengals should start Week 1 healthy, with several more weapons than they had in 2016 and I think they will be revved up in their first home game to open a regular season since 2009. The Bengals win this game based on health, better weapons, emotional energy and home field advantage.

Week 2 – vs Houston Texans (September 14)
Chris: LOSS – I’m not sure who did the schedule, but someone should make them run gassers. Two games in four days – this one against the reigning AFC South champions – means Cincinnati’s first loss of the season.

Nate: WIN – I think Houston will have one of the top defenses in the NFL this season after getting a healthy J.J. Watt back to help an already dominate D. The problem is they do not have a proven quarterback, Cincy have loaded up Dalton with more weapons and a team that want to show they are capable in the national spotlight. Since the Bengals have a new kicker in place I like Cincy by a field goal at home.

Week 3 – at Green Bay Packers (September 24)
Chris: LOSS – The Bengals have a week and a half to rest for this game, but it’s against Aaron Rodgers and the Pack, who were 7th in the NFL last year in passing yards and 4th in points.

Nate: LOSS – Although Aaron Rodgers is 0-2 in his career against the Bengals I think this is the year he is able to come out with a victory. I predict a close game but the Packers win a shootout in front of the home crowd at Lambeau Field.

Week 4 – at Cleveland Browns (October 1)
Chris: WIN – Just what we need to get back to .500. Top draft pick Myles Garrett will still be adjusting to the pro game, so he won’t quite be a difference maker … yet.

Nate: WIN – The Browns will show glimmers of hope and improve from their 1-15 record from last year but Cincy will have the firepower and experience to win this contest early in the season still.

Week 5 – vs Buffalo Bills (October 8)
Chris: WIN – The Bills led the NFL in rushing, but were almost dead last in passing. If the Cincinnati Bengals can contain the run, they’ll win. It’ll be close, but I say they get it done.

Nate: WIN – The Bengals lost a close one at home against the Bills last year 16-12 but it was also a game in which kicker Mike Nugent missed 2 extra points and the Bengals were not afforded the opportunity to kick a game winning field goal. I think the Bengals have improved more than the Bills in the offseason and they will not have the kicking issues to the same degree in this contest. The Bengals win by 10 at home.

Week 6 – BYE WEEK

Week 7 – at Pittsburgh Steelers (October 22)
Chris: LOSS – Grudge match, grudge match, grudge match – especially after Referee-gate last year. This will be a close contest that, unfortunately, won’t go the Bengals’ way because of Pittsburgh’s home-field advantage.

Nate: LOSS – Sparks will fly, emotions will run high, and there will be felt hatred and controversy as usual. Pittsburgh takes the first of two in their house as the Bengals usually don’t play as well coming off their bye week.

Week 8 – vs Indianapolis Colts (October 29)
Chris: WIN – Between Andrew Luck’s shoulder surgery at the end of 2016 and a dicey O-line, I feel comfy saying Cincinnati takes this one.

Nate: WIN – I predict a close high scoring affair but the Bengals edge the Colts by a field goal at home to get back on track.

Week 9 – at Jacksonville Jaguars (November 5)
Chris: WIN – The addition of LSU running back Leonard Fournette takes pressure off QB Blake Bortles, who struggled with consistency at the end of last year. But Jacksonville will still be questionable in too many other areas to mount a serious threat to Cincinnati, who will have back-to-back wins when this one is over.

Nate: LOSS – I think the Bengals will fall in an upset here, Fournette has a break out game and Bortles doesn’t make too many mistakes in this one. The Bengals let one get away that they are expected to win.

Week 10 – at Tennessee Titans (November 12)
Chris: LOSS – Tennessee has been steadily improving under coach Mike Mularkey, and quarterback Marcus Mariota has a top-down convertible for a ceiling. The Titans will be in the thick of their own playoff chase by this point of the season. Home team in a close one.

Nate: LOSS – The Titans have the potential to be a dangerous team in 2017 with a solid ground game already in place and the team adding more weapons in the draft this year for Mariota. This should be a fun contest but I think the Titans win a close one in Music City.

Week 11 – at Denver Broncos (November 19)
Chris: WIN – Cincinnati and Denver were very close statistically last year. This might as well come down to a coin flip. Hang on (flip) ………..W

Nate: LOSS – Denver’s D overwhelms Cincy’s O-line in Mile High.

Week 12 – vs Cleveland Browns (November 26)
Chris: WIN – Cleveland could very well be improved this late in the season. But so will Cincinnati, and they’ll make it seven in a row over their in-state rival.

Nate: WIN – If Cleveland finds some consistency at QB this season this could be a close one. I’m not putting my money on that happening just yet. Cincy gets back on track again here by a touchdown.

Week 13 – vs Pittsburgh Steelers (December 4)
Chris: WIN – Cincinnati gets their long-awaited revenge, and they get it in front of the home crowd. A victory will also prevent Pittsburgh from owning the tiebreaker – extra motivation if you ask us.

Nate: WIN – The Bengals are focused and realize the implications of this game. The offense brings The Jungle to life and the Bengals split the season with the Steelers.

Week 14 – vs Chicago Bears (December 10)
Chris: WIN – The Bears shocked everyone when they drafted QB Mitchell Trubisky with the second overall pick. We’ll see if he’s come into his own by now. Until then, we’ll go based on Chicago’s 3-13 record last year.

Nate: WIN – Trubisky struggles if he is playing at this point. The Bears struggle in 2017 regardless. I think the Bengals win in a blow out at home against the Bears.

Week 15 – vs Minnesota Vikings (December 17)
Chris: WIN – Running back Dalvin Cook will be roughed up this late in the season. The Vikings will be mounting a rushing attack that is similar to their last-in-the-league 75.3 yards per game from 2016.

Nate: LOSS – HC Mike Zimmer is motivated to beat his former team and brings out all the stops to expose the weakness of Cincy’s offense line with all the exotic looks in his repertoire. The Vikings snap the Bengals 3 game winning streak in a close one.

Week 16 – vs Detroit Lions (December 24)
Chris: LOSS – This one is similar to the matchup with Denver from the previous month. Even without Megatron, the Lions were still 11th in the league in passing yards last season. Starting LT Taylor Decker should be back from labrum surgery. This coin flip might go against the Bengals.

Nate: WIN – I think the Lions have regressed in ways this offseason but Matthew Stafford keeps them in contests in 2017 still. The Bengals are too much at home though as some of the rookies (Ross & Mixon) bring too much sizzle for the Lions to stop.

Week 17 – at Baltimore Ravens (December 31)
Chris: LOSS – If I’m 15-for-15, then the Cincinnati Bengals will be 10-5 and smelling the playoffs. I hate to say it, but I think that means a loss to end the regular season. They will have played 11 games since the bye week and counting on those 10 wins to get them into the playoffs. Let’s hope it does.

Nate: WIN – The Bengals clinch at least a Wild Card playoff spot with a win in this game while the Ravens are already out of the hunt. Cincy gets it done on the road.

Final record: Chris (10-6) Nate (10-6)

Cincinnati Bengals vs Buffalo Bills – Week 11 Preview

November 19, 2016 Chris Russell Leave a Comment

The cure for the Cincinnati Bengals’ Giant hangover (see what we did there?) should come this Sunday. Why do we say that? Cincinnati hosts the Buffalo Bills – the 3-straight-losses, 3rd in their division, 31st-ranked passing offense in the NFL Buffalo Bills.

It’s a winnable game. We say ‘winnable’ because after the mistakes in last week’s 21-20 loss to New York, games are not slam dunks. If the Cincinnati Bengals can take advantage of these 3 areas, this game should be … more than winnable.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Buffalo Bills – 3 Cincy Keys

1. Use the home-field advantage. The friendly confines of Paul Brown Stadium have been good to the Cincinnati Bengals recently. They haven’t lost at home since September 25 against the Denver Broncos. Buffalo, on the other hand, has lost 3 straight and isn’t feeling the mojo. Make some big plays and get the home crowd into it. It’s a great way to get Buffalo thinking “Here we go again.”

2. Beguile the Bills’ blitz. Buffalo has only given up 10 touchdowns through the air in 2016, but they are blitz-happy, which makes them vulnerable if they can’t get to the QB in time. If, IF, IF! the Bengals’ O-line can hold off the Bills’ rushers for a few seconds, QB Andy Dalton, wide receiver AJ Green, and TE Tyler Eifert should carve up Buffalo and serve them up like wings.

3. Yeah, about that O-line …. Not sure if we emphasized this point enough already. This game rides on the offensive line. Rex Ryan will throw the kitchen sink at the Cincinnati Bengals’ passing attack. Dalton is smart enough to make the right calls, but he’s gotta stay upright. Also, Buffalo is giving up almost 109 rushing yards a game (18th in the league), so a few good runs should affect the Bills’ defensive game plan and open up the play-action pass.

Week 6: Cincinnati Bengals vs NE Patriots – 3 Things to Watch

October 15, 2016 Chris Russell 1 Comment

In the past 4 weeks, the Cincinnati Bengals have played 2 division-leading teams and a third (Denver Broncos) that has won 4 games so far this year. So what’s one more brick wall to run through? The Bengals take on the New England Patriots this Sunday in Foxboro. The New England QB (Brady something-er-other) will be making his 2016 home debut after finishing a 4-game suspension. We don’t know how much rust he’ll have to shake off, but it will present yet another challenge for the boys in stripes.

3 Things to Watch in the Cincinnati Bengals vs NE Patriots Game

1. It’s Tom Brady’s home opener. We’ll stick with this for a moment, since it’s obviously the storyline of the game. The Cincinnati Bengals are ranked 13th in the league in passing defense heading into Week 6 (giving up 225 yards per game). That coupled with a 2016-debuting Brady could present a level playing field that will boil down to who wants it more. Let’s hope the Bengals can spoil the homecoming party.

2. Time for a big win against a big team. A win is a win – we get that. But the Bengals’ two wins this year are against teams with a combined record of 2-8. You won’t get into the playoffs by whipping cellar dwellers. Cincy needs to come out, make a statement, and show that they can roll with a good team … and beat them, too.

3. Lots of chances for a step-up. New England brings the NFL’s 4th-rated rushing attack into this game, and Cincinnati is ranked 21st in that category. The rushing D needs to step up. AJ Green is a proven threat, but we need another one. Brandon LaFell and Tyler Boyd need to step up. The offensive has surrendered 17 sacks this year. The O-line … see a pattern here?