Bengals: 5 Questions About The 2016 Season

Nov 5, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (left), quarterback Andy Dalton (14), and tackle Andrew Whitworth (right) against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

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Will the defense have another stellar year?

That’s like asking if Domata Peko can do the Worm dance. Look it up…the guy is good. Last year, the Bengals’ defense was one of the most feared in the league. That may sound like a stretch, but the facts are evident. Opponents spent a lot of time preparing for the defense.

Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins put a hurting on NFL quarterbacks, last season. The numbers show that the defensive line is back to dominant form. Together, the duo combined for 24.5 sacks. Both players had more than the entire output of the N.Y. Giants, Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills. That number should rise even higher, for the 2016 campaign.

Dunlap has admitted he wants to break the sack record. Can you smell the fear? The addition of Andrew Billings, is like getting a carbon copy of Atkins. His low center of gravity will cause matchup problems and nightmares for coordinators.

Linebackers coach Jim Haslett is ready to bring back the days of old. The Bengals’ defense is already viewed as a throwback bunch of players. Having Haslett’s hard-nosed barking will help establish the discipline they lacked at times. How can the D-line get any better? Jacob Burney will help them get to the quarterback with even more ferocity.

The secondary will be a thing of beauty. Adam Jones is back, with a chip on his shoulder, and Shawn Williams will be ready to prove his contract worthiness.

Next: Time To Prove It