NFL Betting – The Bengals Will Roar in 2012
Thursday July 19, 2012 : NFL Betting – The Bengals Will Roar in 2012
The summer of 2011 was a rough time for the Cincinnati Bengals. Quarterback Carson Palmer was flashing his checkbook around and demanding to be traded, and head coach Marvin Lewis was not sure if he wanted to stay in Cincinnati or not. The football fans in Cincinnati were glad to see wide receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco finally leave town, but no one was really sure who would replace them.
Things seemed to change for the Bengals immediately after the 2011 draft. The best online betting sites expected the Bengals to draft quarterback Andy Dalton in the first round, but everyone also expected the Bengals to bring in a veteran quarterback through free agency to start the season. When Cincinnati picked up wide receiver A.J. Green later in the draft, the future looked bright in Cincinnati. Little did the fans know that the future is now.
Offense
Andy Dalton and A.J. Green were thrown into the starting lineup because the Bengals really had no other choice. Andy Dalton outplayed veteran quarterback Bruce Gradkowski in training camp, and the losses of Owens and Ochocinco left huge holes in the wide receiving corps. When the rookies were put on the field, they produced and the Bengals made the playoffs.
The football experts do not look past the fact that the Bengals have a very good offensive line to help out the rookie players. Cincinnati kept that offensive line together and will have a very powerful offense in 2012.
Defense
For some reason, the strong Cincinnati defense is always lost in the discussions about the successful 2011 season. The Bengals' defense finished seventh overall in the league and was ninth at stopping the pass. The experts will be looking for that potent Cincinnati defense to improve with the addition of rookie cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and rookie defensive tackle Devon Still in the 2012 draft.
Kirkpatrick adds to an already strong defensive secondary that did not allow very many deep plays at all. The Cincinnati pass rush is relentless, and it is bolstered by aggressive play from the linebackers. This Cincinnati defense will be ready to support the offense in the pursuit of another playoff season.
Outcome
The Bengals are in a tough spot because it is in the same division as the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. More than likely, the Ravens and Steelers will be battling it out for first place in the AFC North in 2012. But look for Cincinnati to have another strong season and finish with an AFC wild card spot.
Read more about the Bengals' chances on reaching the playoffs in 2012.
