2018 Record - 6-10-0
Head Coach - Zac Taylor
Newcomers for 2019 - John Miller (OL), B.W. Webb (DB), Kerry Wynn (DL)
Keys on Offense - After losing quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green to injuries last season, the Bengals need them back on the field. Dalton passed for 2,566 yards with 21 touchdowns and eleven interceptions. Green had 46 receptions for 694 yards and six touchdowns in only nine games. Tyler Boyd led the team with 76 receptions with 1,028 yards and seven touchdowns. He and Green form a solid duo for Dalton. John Ross (21, 210, seven TD) is also in the mix. Tight end Tyler Eifert is looking to make a comeback from injuries after playing in just four games last season.
Running back Joe Mixon is solid, averaging 4.9 yards per carry last season while rushing for 1,168 yards and scoring eight rushing touchdowns. In addition, Mixon had 43 receptions for 296 yards and one score. Gio Bernard is also in the mix in the backfield after an injury riddled season.
Keys on Defense - Geno Atkins had ten sacks in 2018 and anchors the line along with Carlos Dunlap, who registered eight sacks. Sam Hubbard (six sacks) is another key player on defense. The linebackers are Preston Brown, Nick Vigil and Jordan Evans while Shawn Williams (five interceptions), Jessie Bates (three picks) and Dre Kirkpatrick man the secondary.
The Bengals finished last in the NFL in total defense (413.7 yards allowed per game) while giving up 28.4 points per game (28th in NFL). The run defense was weak, allowing 138 yards per game (29th) and the pass defense gave up a league worst 276 yards per game last season.
OUTLOOK FOR 2019 - Long time Head Coach Marvin Lewis stepped aside after 16 seasons in Cincinnati following the 2018 season and now it is Zac Taylor who is the Head Coach for the Bengals.
The team suffered with some big time injuries to major players last year and the defense was downright terrible as the Bengals finished in last place in the AFC North. If they want to move up, they must stay healthy and see big time bounce back seasons from Andy Dalton and the entire defense. There are play makers on offense and the Bengals averaged 23 points per game last season, which ranked 17th overall.
The schedule doesn't appear too overwhelming in the first seven games, so getting off to a good start would be a big plus for Cincinnati. Winning games against their divisional opponents will make or break the season as far as a possible playoff spot goes, but the team would like to get back in the battle for the AFC north race after winning just one game within the division a year ago. Anything is possible in today's NFL, but keeping it real, the Bengals will likely go 6-10 once again and miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Seattle
Week 2 - vs. San Francisco
Week 3 - at Buffalo
Week 4 - at Pittsburgh
Week 5 - vs. Arizona
Week 6 - at Baltimore
Week 7 - vs. Jacksonville
Week 8 - at LA Rams (in London)
Week 9 - BYE
Week 10 - vs. Baltimore
Week 11 - at Oakland
Week 12 - vs. Pittsburgh
Week 13 - vs. NY Jets
Week 14 - at Cleveland
Week 15 - vs. New England
Week 16 - at Miami
Week 17 - vs. Cleveland
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