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A Case for the Bengals Making the Playoffs Next Season

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In case you haven’t heard, the 54th Super Bowl will be taking place this Sunday in Miami, Florida. On one side you have the Kansas City Chiefs, who have made the playoffs for the past five seasons and have been a staple of consistency under Andy Reid. On the other side of the field stand the San Francisco 49ers, who not too long ago endured a (2-14) season similar to the Bengals’ 2019 season. In looking at these two teams, Bengals fans can stand to be encouraged about the prospects of a playoff berth occurring sooner rather than later.

In general, the NFL Playoffs see fairly consistent turnover season to season. Over the past five seasons, an average of five of the 12 playoff teams are newcomers from the previous season, with only the Patriots, Chiefs, Seahawks, and Texans making more than three playoff appearances during that time. Remarkably, 29 of the 32 NFL teams have made at least one playoff appearance since the 2015 – 2016 season (pour one out for the Browns, Buccaneers, and Jets). We also have seen teams make rather
quick turnarounds, which we can see in looking at team win/loss records since 2015. Since 2015, there have been 14 different instances of teams adding at least six wins to their previous season total. Just this season, we saw the NFC representatives in the Super Bowl jump from four wins to 13. While predicting win/loss records for the upcoming season is a futile effort (especially in January), it would not be unheard of to see the Bengals make a major leap in 2020 and flirt with 8-9 wins. While that is not likely enough to enter the playoff picture, it would be a gigantic step forward in the right direction and lay the foundation for a potential 2021 playoff run.


When looking at the Kansas City Chiefs, we can simplify their blueprint as such: The Chiefs win with a masterful offensive scheme that gets their plethora of playmakers into space, relying on their elite quarterback and outstanding athletes on the outside to win. Their defense is opportunistic in forcing turnovers and creating sacks, even if they yield higher yardage amounts. It would behoove the Bengals to try to mirror the Chiefs blueprint as closely as possible, and I believe just a few moves could put them
on the right track.


On the offensive side of the ball, it starts with the quarterback position. Andy Dalton is a fine quarterback but by now we know he is not the guy that will lead us to the promised land. While Joe Burrow is a complete unknown at the professional level, there is reason to believe based on his most recent body of work along with the traits he displayed in full this past college season, that he can be a franchise quarterback. A quarterback that is able to make plays (that is, making things happen when plays begin to breakdown or do not go according to plan) frees up an entire offense and helps cover some of those warts that can creep up from time to time. Add in an offensive play-caller now entering his second season with a disposal of weapons on offense (Boyd, Mixon, Tate, and potentially A.J. Green)
to accompany his rookie quarterback and Zac Taylor should be able to unleash a little more firepower than what we saw last season with the likes of Ryan Finley, Alex Erickson, and CJ Uzomah all playing meaningful snaps. A free agent signing of a solid backend defender like Justin Simmons (90.8 PFF grade, four interceptions) or Anthony Harris (90.5 PFF grade, six interceptions) and continued growth of Carl Lawson and Sam Hubbard would potentially go a long way towards helping this defense force more
turnovers.


Now, is it likely that the Bengals become major spenders in free agency? Probably not, even if they do have $49 million in cap space with the potential of having $75+ million with the trade/release of Dalton and Cordy Glenn. But you can see that in just a few moves, they could very well become a formidable foe come next season. We know some team(s) is going to see a major increase in wins next season, and most likely nearly half of the playoff field will look different than it did this season. The Bengals can make that leap and return to the playoffs for the first time in half a decade.

Bengals Week 7 Preview – Cincinnati vs Kansas City

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Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)

What a tough lose. The Bengals hung with the Steelers all day despite playing very bad at times. They were able to march down the field and score with ease just before halftime, then went on to get only 4 total yards on offense in the third quarter. I still think the Bengals were the better team, and if you put any other logo on the Steelers helmets the Bengals win. But the Bengals just can not beat Pittsburgh. It was crushing to see Brown score with just seconds left, but the fact that it came down to the last play was encouraging that the Bengals hung in and fought down to the wire.

This week we get to sit all day Sunday in anticipation of a prime time game with a red hot Chiefs offense. The Chiefs defense shouldn’t provide much of an obstacle for the Bengals offense. The game will be decided by how much the Bengals can slow down the Chiefs offense. The key will be to keep the Kansas City offense off of the field, which is why I think Joe Mixon will have a big day grinding out the clock. And the more we keep our defense off the field against Patrick Mahomes, the better!

Matchups to watch for…

William Jackson III vs. Tyreek Hill – Earlier this week when asked about Tyreek Hill’s speed, William Jackson replied “I can fly too”. Every Bengals fan watching this game will hope the same thing. Tyreek Hill has made defenses look silly this year with his speed. On the bright side for Bengals fans, William Jackson allowed zero receptions on two targets last week against Pittsburgh. It’s encouraging that teams are afraid to throw his way, and when they do it doesnt end well. Let’s hope this trend continues when William Jackson is lined up on Tyreek.

The Bengals Defensive Line vs. The Chiefs Offensive Line – It is not secret that this “elite” defensive line we saw during the preseason is under performing. One of the reasons we came up short against the Steelers is because Ben Roethlisberger had all day to throw. The Bengals line must play better to take pressure off the secondary and linebackers, especially with how bad our linebacker play has been. This may be a tough task as the Chiefs have allowed just six sacks this year, the least amount by any team in the NFL so far.

Bengals Linebackers vs. Travis Kelce – I mentioned before that the Bengals have one of the worst linebacking corps in the league. Well it is a good thing they don’t have to matchup against one of the best tight ends in the league this year…. Oh wait. The Bengals have been very bad against the tight end position this year and Travis Kelce is arguably the best tight end in the game right now. In almost every team the Bengals have faced this year we have seen the opposing teams tight ends have big games. If the Bengals can not figure out a way to slow down Kelce, fans could be in for a long day on defense.

My Prediction: The Chiefs are a very good football team, which is why they are 5-1. Every year Andy Reid’s offenses start red hot and crash back down to earth when teams start scheming with more knowledge on how to stop them. As a Bengals fan, I am really hoping that starts this weekend. However, I am not betting on that. I still think the Bengals are a very good team, but after a tough loss to Pittsburgh, multiple injuries, in primetime I just can’t. I think the Bengals will make it interesting but not have what it takes to slow down Patrick Mahomes.

My Prediction: Bengals 24 Chiefs 31

My Bengals Predictions on the year: 3-3

Be sure to follow me on twitter @Pierson242FF, and be sure to tweet me with any Bengals related questions or comments!

Game: Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)

Date/Time: October 21, 2018 at 8:20 p.m. EST

Location: Arrowhead Stadium

Uniforms: White Jersey with White Pants

Last Matchup: 10/04/15 – Bengals 36 Chiefs 21

Odds: Bengals, +6

Cincinnati Bengals Post-Draft, Preseason Picks 2018

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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.

Preseason Game 3 Recap: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Redskins

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The Cincinnati Bengals looked good on Sunday, even if the scoreboard didn’t. A 23-17 loss to the Washington Redskins doesn’t seem so bad when you consider how well the Cincinnati starters played. Andy Dalton performed like his usual self and remained upright thanks to a solid effort by the offensive line. The team rushed for 137 yards. Yet again, ends Jordan Willis, Chris Smith and Carl Lawson got sacks. You get the feeling that the team is starting to get excited about the regular season. We know we are.

How Things Went

The first drive featured just about everything you could want. It was a 15-play, 87-yard effort that took almost 9 minutes off the clock and ended with a touchdown. Even more impressive was that the Cincinnati Bengals accounted for 99% of the offense in the first quarter. You read that right. There were 100 yards gained from scrimmage in the first 15 minutes. Washington had one of them. You walk 10 times farther than that to use the john at the commercial break.

Andy Dalton went 8/13 for 70 yards and looked comfy in the pocket. AJ Green caught 4 of the 6 passes that came his way. Giovanni Bernard averaged 6.3 yards per carry. Aw yeah.

Cincinnati Bengals Player of the Game

Dalton and Green looked in mid-season form, and the first-teamers balled out well enough. But our vote goes to Vontaze Burfict, who continues to play like his jockstrap is filled with piranha. He made four tackles and returned an interception 62 yards for a touchdown. He capped it off by jumping over the end zone wall and into the high-price seats. No word yet on whether Redskins owner Dan Snyder will bill him for the 11 seconds he impersonated a season-ticket holder.

What This Means Going Forward

After the poor showing against Kansas City last week, this game should be reassuring to Cincinnati Bengals players and fans alike. The team played sharp. If that kind of execution carries over into Week 1 vs Baltimore, then Bengal fans will be smiling very big very soon.

Preseason Game 2 Recap: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs

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Oooookay, Cincinnati Bengals fans – let’s just pump those brakes a little bit.

Yeah, we know, we’ve been hyping up the 2017 Cincinnati Bengals as much as anyone. Still, you can’t argue with the fact that Saturday night’s 30-12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs showed that this team has some work to do if it’s going to get back to the playoffs for the seventh time in nine years.

How Things Went

The story of the night was the defense … or lack thereof. The Cincy D couldn’t stop the Kansas City QBs. They couldn’t stop the Chiefs from gaining 228 yards on the ground. Heck, they couldn’t stop in the name of love on Saturday. Kansas City signal-callers Patrick Mahomes II, Alex Smith, and Tyler Bray combined to go 20/28 for 182 yards, four touchdowns, and a 130.1 QB rating. Each quarterback threw at least one score. The Chiefs got all of their points in the first three quarters of play.

To add to the misery, Bengals starting safety Shawn Williams went down with a gnarly elbow injury early in the game. Slo-mo replay shows his right arm bending very awkwardly. Sort of like when Steven Seagal would snap an armlock on one of Screwface’s evil henchmen. We certainly pray for his recovery, but don’t expect him back any time soon.

On the other side of the ball, Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback Andy Dalton went 7/13 for 98 yards, but he never looked comfortable. AJ McCarron also appeared to be off-target. Even AJ Green dropped a pass, which happens about as often as a Cleveland Browns victory.

One bit of good news is the Bengal kickers once again showed their accuracy. Randy Bullock and Jake Elliott each went two for two and accounted for all of Cincy’s points. If the Bengals are in a close game this season, they’ll be in good hands (er, feet). Also, there were solid individual performances by linebackers Vontaze Burfict and Nick Vigil (who had eight tackles). Youngster defensive ends Jordan Willis and Chris Smith each nabbed a sack. Being able to attack the QB from the edge was an offseason concern for the defense that seems to be easing by the week.

 

Cincinnati Bengals Player of the Game

If you think it was unusual last week for the kickers to be selected as PotG, how about two weeks in a row? Bullock and Elliott accounted for Cincinnati’s entire score again. Bullock booted a 47-yarder and one from 26, and Elliott connected from 32 and 39 yards.

 

What This Means Going Forward

We’re not sure if the Bengals’ defense just had an off-night or if Kansas City exposed some glaring weaknesses. But defensive coordinator Paul Guenther has some serious tape-reviewing to do in the next few days.

Cincinnati will need to find a replacement for Shawn Williams quickly. They have depth in George Iloka, Clayton Fejedelem, Derron Smith and Josh Shaw, but the only thing that hurts more than losing Williams is Shawn’s arm after that play.

The Cincinnati Bengals will take the field next on Sunday, August 27th on the road against the Washington Redskins.