The Cincinnati Bengals have never been considered a top notch team to contend with. They have a very unexciting history at best. Winning their challenging AFC North/Central division only 1 time in the last 20 years, they certainly haven’t opened many eyes as far as a contender during the season. A division that has been basically dominated by the Steelers and the Ravens over the last several seasons.

They made the Superbowl in 1988, led by their QB, Boomer Esiason and Ickey Woods doing his “Ickey Shuffle” scoring 15 TDs on the season. Other than that, it’s been spiraling downhill or flickering amongst the mediocre of the league.

As of now, things are changing; they are going in a new direction. Playing defense as their main advocate for the team’s success, making plays, and converting on 3rd downs, at 37% on the season, they are holding their own. They have definitely become one of the top surprise teams of the season, joining the Niners in a strong devoted step forward.

They have gone through some massive changes over the last few years. Obviously they dropped 2 of their main offensive receiving weapons over the last couple years, in Chad Ochocinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Finally dumping off their disgruntled QB Carson Palmer, this year to the Raiders. And a move that I don’t think enough people paid attention to was losing Johnathan Joseph to the Houston Texans.

With all these changes, what was next canning Head Coach Marv Lewis? It wouldn’t have astounded me, since now it seems all you need is a sluggish start a third into a season and your job’s in jeopardy. Marv has a shabby 48% win pct in his 9 years in Ohio, but he has somehow hung on for many difficult years.

But the Bengals made the most with their draft picks, tightened up their bootstraps and pressed forward with great play on both sides of the ball. Andy Dalton, picked 35th in the 2011 draft has been excellent, playing well even in his big games. He has not shied away from the pressure by any means. Against the top 2 contenders in the AFC north, the Steelers and the Ravens, he is thrown for 543 YDs and respectable 6.98 yards/attempt, in those 2 games.

A.J. Green, another rook, from Georgia, has been awesome, with 15.5 YPC, and 6 TDs has certainly gotten an engaging connection with his fellow rookie QB. The Bengals have heart, and have proven they belong in the conversation as contenders in their division. They aren’t going away easy; they fight and scrap, and are no longer a team that’s checked off as a “W” when you look at your team’s schedule. The offensive line has given Dalton time to develop a play from the pocket (only been sacked 14 times on the season, top 5 in the league).

This season, they have upped their scoring to 24/game opposed to last years 20/game. And their improved defense has allowed 5 less points a game this season than last years. As one of the younger teams in the NFL, are they a legit playoff contender in 2011? They came in with small expectations following a dreadful 2010, with all the inexperience and are fighting for a wild card berth now in 2011. At the moment, they lost their other top end CB, Leon Hall, which hurts badly. Now is going to be a real test for their corners. And with games coming up vs passing teams like Pittsburgh and Baltimore, they will be tested in man to man coverage.

One thing is sure; the Bengals are no longer the “Bungles” if they continue where the team seems to be headed nothing but good can come from this team. Young capable talent, strong drive, solid defense and a rock solid foundation to winning games. The Bengals are going to make this division tougher every year. Written by Mike Anthony for VegasTopDogs.com
 

Click here to view all of Mike Anthony's premium picks.

Social Bookmarking