CINCINNATI BENGALS

2012 Odds:
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Odds to Win AFC North: 4/1
Odds to Win AFC Championship: 23/1
Odds to Win Super Bowl XLVII: 50/1
Regular Season Wins Over/Under: 8

2012 Preview:
Offense:
The Bengals returned to a run-first offense in 2011, and that should continue with BenJarvus Green-Ellis stepping in for Cedric Benson. Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden mixed in some more zone blocking principles and stretch plays last year, something that didn’t fit with Benson at all. The Bengals have been looking to get Bernard Scott more involved, and this year they should be able to do it. Expect a 60/40 early-down split for Green-Ellis and Scott, with Brian Leonard keeping his third down role because of his ability as a pass protector. Green-Ellis figures to be the focal point of their red zone offense, just like Benson was a year ago.

Gruden’s offense is West Coast in terminology, but they pressure secondaries deep. A lot of their best plays were jump balls to A.J. Green. Either rookies Mohamed Sanu or Marvin Jones, or Jordan Shipley could slide in opposite Green on the outside, and Gruden will have to tweak the offense since none of them are deep threats. They use a lot of three-WR sets, so there should be ample playing time for two of those secondary targets. TE Jermaine Gresham is the No. 2 target for QB Andy Dalton, and this offense creates room for him over the middle. The backs are more for pass protection than receiving skills. Gruden gets a little more pass-happy in the red zone, but not absurdly so. When they do throw, Green is overwhelmingly the most popular target.

Defense:
The Bengals defense showed an ability to get to the quarterback in 2011, with 14 players contributing at least one sack to a total that placed fifth in the NFL. Rookie CB Dre’ Kirkpatrick will help out the defense with his coverage skills, but this unit doesn’t make enough big plays to provide the offense with a lot of short fields. The one guy in the secondary who is capable of making a big play is Reggie Nelson, a rangy centerfielder at free safety with solid ball skills.

Key Offseason Moves:
ADDITIONS
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (from Patriots)
OL Travelle Wharton (from Panthers)
DE Jamaal Anderson (from Colts)
CB Terence Newman (from Cowboys)
CB Jason Allen (from Texans)

SUBTRACTIONS
WR Andre Caldwell (Broncos)
WR Jerome Simpson (Vikings)
TE Bo Scaife (Patriots)
C Mike McGlynn (Colts)
G Bobbie Williams (Ravens)
G Nate Livings (Cowboys)
DE Jonathan Fanene (Patriots)
DE Frostee Rucker (Browns)
LB Keith Rivers (Giants)
LB Brandon Johnson (Steelers)
S Chris Crocker (released)

2012 Schedule:
2012 Schedule Strength: 20.56 (12th toughest in NFL)
Week 1 - at Baltimore
Week 2 - Cleveland
Week 3 - at Washington
Week 4 - at Jacksonville
Week 5 - Miami
Week 6 - at Cleveland
Week 7 - Pittsburgh
Week 8 - BYE WEEK
Week 9 - Denver
Week 10 - New York Giants
Week 11 - at Kansas City
Week 12 - Oakland
Week 13 - at San Diego
Week 14 - Dallas
Week 15 - at Philadelphia
Week 16 - at Pittsburgh
Week 17 - Baltimore

StatFox Take: The Bengals can’t afford to start the season slowly, because they have a pretty easy five-game stretch from Week 2 to Week 6, and they are capable of winning all five of those contests. However, despite playing at home in six of the final 10 games, Cincinnati figures to be tabbed as the underdog in all but one of these 10 contests (Week 12 vs. Oakland) with the Steelers, Broncos, Giants, Cowboys and Ravens all coming to Cincy. Being a ‘dog doesn’t bode well for this Bengals team that is 5-18 straight up in its past 23 games as an underdog.
Prediction: UNDER 8 wins (-140)

All NFL Previews

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns - Tuesday, August 7
Pittsburgh Steelers - Wednesday, August 8

AFC South
Houston Texans - Thursday, August 9
Indianapolis Colts - Friday, August 10
Jacksonville Jaguars - Saturday, August 11
Tennessee Titans - Sunday, August 12

AFC West
Denver Broncos - Monday, August 13
Kansas City Chiefs - Tuesday, August 14
Oakland Raiders - Wednesday, August 15
San Diego Chargers - Thursday, August 16

NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - Friday, August 17
New York Giants - Saturday, August 18
Philadelphia Eagles - Sunday, August 19
Washington Redskins - Monday, August 20

NFC North
Chicago Bears - Tuesday, August 21
Detroit Lions - Wednesday, August 22
Green Bay Packers - Thursday, August 23
Minnesota Vikings - Friday, August 24

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - Saturday, August 25
Carolina Panthers - Sunday, August 26
New Orleans Saints - Monday, August 27
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tuesday, August 28

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - Wednesday, August 29
San Francisco 49ers - Thursday, August 30
Seattle Seahawks - Friday, August 31
St. Louis Rams - Saturday, September 1