The Cincinnati Bengals had a successful 2009 season. Finishing 1st in their division, going 10-6 during the 2009 season, including close wins over 2008 Super Bowl Steelers, and the Baltimore Ravens, beating them by averages of 5.5 each game.

Last year’s success was strongly dependant on Cedric Benson’s rejuvenated season. He ran amok across the NFL for an 8th ranked 1,251 yards and 6 TD’s. The passing game was not one of the best only ranking 18th in 2009. And was on the decline for the last 3 seasons overall.

During the offseason, the Bengals had a great deal to deal with, the depressing death of Chris Henry in December of ‘09, then off course, on a better note, the big off season signing of Terrell Owens. Bringing in the brassy future hall of famer looked like it was going to give the Bengals that next weapon that was going to help the offenses greatly, if he still had it. Could he make a difference? After his dismal season in Buffalo in 2008 where he only found the endzone 5 times and 829 yards, with a career low, not including the injury shortened 2005 season, 55 receptions.

The expectations the Bengals had coming into the season were much higher than their current 3-11 record. I pegged them to be battling for the division throughout the year, how could one not have considered them to be a potential favorite. They owned the AFC North division last year, adding a future HoF’er to their roster would only make them better, as long as T.O. didn’t explode and destroy the team.

When he arrived, he and Chad Ochocinco were expected to become a dangerous force to deal with on the defensive end. Two WR’s that were both skillful enough scoring the ball, coming into the 2010 season, they combined for 210 TD’s. It would give Carson Palmer legit weapons on the outside to throw the ball to. Before T.O. signed, there was only Chad. The question remained, could the 2 divas coexist? And if they could, what kind of havoc would they run across the NFL?

This year, the tone was set poor from the start, starting off 2-3, losing to Cleveland and Tampa Bay instantly. The Bengals didn’t seem to recover after week 4 and went on a preposterous streak losing 10 in a row. The Bengals, are scoring 20.1 a game, slightly up from last years 19.1. Their defense has fallen apart, giving up only 18.2 in 2009; they are allowing 8 more a game in 2010. Getting only 22 sacks this season and turnovers have been crucial. Palmer has been ineffective only throwing 21 TD but 18 int’s. Chad Ochocinco, who is a firm WR2, has been respectable with 831 yards but just 4 TD’s. Cedric Benson has been inefficient, running for only 3.6 /carry, down from last seasons 4.2.

Overall, with weapons like Owens, Ochocinco, Benson and Palmer, and high-quality secondary led by Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall, the Bengals I thought should have been much better than their record suggests. Something will change in Cincinnati for 2011. Is 37 year old T.O. going to return? Improbable. Will Chad still be a Bengal in 2011? Is Palmer? Does Marv Lewis return? I think most of the blame has got to go to Coach Marv Lewis. He had a talented team this year that really should have been a great deal better than it was. Going 10-6 in 2009, then falling to the bottom in your division in 2010 is unacceptable, I think the team in orange and black will have several changes in 2011
 

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