2010 Cincinnati Bengals Predictions

The Cincinnati Bengals finished the 2009 season at 10-6. They won their division while posting a perfect 6-0 mark against AFC North foes. But they weren’t able to carry over their regular season success into the playoffs. Despite home field, the Bengals fell by double-digits to the New York Jets in the Wildcard round.

Last season, the defense carried the Bengals while the offense struggled. In order for Cincinnati to secure another division title, the offense must hold up on its end of the bargain. This means that a passing attack, which only averaged 180.6 yards per game, must improve. In this article, we’ll take a brief look at both the offense and the defense. Then, I’ll make my prediction on where I have the Bengals finishing in the AFC North.

Bet your NFL picks at BetUS, where our readers get a special $500 match bonus!

Offense: Running back Cedric Benson came out of nowhere to help Cincinnati boast the NFL’s ninth-best running attack last season. He had a career-year, rushing for 1,362 yards and six scores. His strong play was one of the bigger surprises in the NFL, and it leads me to ask the question: can he do it again?

It’s hard to imagine teams letting Benson beat them in 2010 with as poorly as Cincinnati’s passing offense was last year, but the Bengals have made major moves to improve their passing game. They have added Antonio Bryant, Terrell Owens, Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham to team with Chad Ochocinco. Now, we get to see the two biggest divas in the game (T.O. and Ochocinco) on the same team. This can’t work, right?

While T.O. and Bryant and upgrades, the Bengals are still in need of a guy with top flight speed to fill the void left by the late Chris Henry.

Prior to a 2008 injury, quarterback Carson Palmer was one of the top gunslingers in the NFL. The Bengals are hoping that can again be the case with the artillery they have handed him. Palmer threw for 3,094 yards and 21 touchdowns with 13 interceptions in 2009. That was a far cry from the numbers he posted in 2005-2007.

Defense: The Cincinnati defense was impressive a season ago. It ranked No. 4 in total defense, giving up only 301.4 yards per game, and No. 6 in scoring defense, allowing just 18.2 points per game. I give defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer all the credit in the world for last season’s performance. The Bengals had ranked in the bottom six in total defense three straight seasons before Zimmer was brought aboard.  Zimmer’s emphasis on stopping the run served as the key to Cincinnati’s defensive turnaround.

Antwan Odom and Domata Peko are key components to the Bengals’ quality line. Odom recorded eight sacks in only six games before a season-ending injury. Peko missed time as well, but he was a big reason why Cincy was so successful against the run.

Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall form one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL. There ability to lock down receivers is a big reason why the Bengals finished No. 6 in the league in pass defense. Hall and Joseph both led the Bengals with six interceptions each in 2009. The team has also signed Adam “Pacman” Jones. There’s no question he can play, but he continues to be a distraction everywhere he lands.

Prediction: 2nd AFC North – The Bengals will be in the running for a second straight AFC North title, but I ultimately have them coming up just short. The defense should remain strong, but I’m not confident an offense that only averaged 19.1 points per game in 2009 can improve enough to hold off the Ravens. NFL odds makers tend to agree, listing the Cincinnati Bengals behind Baltimore at +300 to win the AFC North. Check out my 2010 NFL predictions to see which teams I have winning each of the eight NFL divisions.

If you’re planning to bet on the NFL this season, make sure you’re winning by playing Jimmy Boyd’s expert football picks!

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

• 2010 NFL Draft Needs: Cincinnati Bengals
• Cincinnati Bengals Add Antonio Bryant
• Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens NFL Odds & Predictions
• Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets NFL Picks & Predictions
• Cincinnati Bengals at San Deigo Chargers NFL Predictions & Odds

Comments