Bengals can quickly turn things around in 2017
By Emile Pierce
The 2017 campaign should be a crowning moment for the Bengals. But, if training camp takes a toll, it could be a long season.
It may come as a surprise to many. But, the Cincinnati Bengals have a good chance to turn their fortunes around for the new year. Tales of how Cincy blew their chance for a return to the playoffs have gotten old. By now, even the pet cat knows the Bengals went 6-9-1 and missed a prime opportunity to repeat as AFC North champs. But, 2017 looks to be a good indicator of what the team is capable of doing.
The draft didn’t go as expected. It’s time to forget about that detail and move on. What the Bengals did was more exciting. They picked up two of the fastest players at the NFL Combine and paired them with a lethal wideout.
Now, A.J. Green will have some alone time. Well, not so much alone as single coverage. Teams that opt to drape him in double coverage will pay the price. The Bengals have a bevy of receivers ready to shred any secondary willing to play a bully role.
More from Stripe Hype
- 6 Bengals whose stock significantly rose in preseason game vs Cardinals
- 7 winners and 7 losers from Bengals preseason opener vs. Cardinals
- Jackson Carman winning LG job isn’t a given after Bengals preseason opener
- How to watch the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022
- Denzel Ward wants to flex on Bengals WRs in 2022
If that’s not enough to get your adrenaline flowing, Joe Mixon is waiting in the wings. Honestly, the Bengals have big plans for the former Sooner. He’s been electrifying in camp and is wearing most fan’s favorite number. If he can channel the anger, power and speed of Corey Dillon, teams won’t have a chance. The ground game is finally going to be on par with the air attack.
Health And Knowledge
If Tyler Eifert can stay healthy, his addition to the offense will make them unstoppable. Frankly, they’ll be a nightmare for any defense to deal with.
OC Ken Zampese will work his magic with Andy Dalton. In fact, The Ginger is already looking like he’s got a firm grasp of the system. His training camp spirals are hitting their targets with ease. Once again, the work with QB guru Tom House and his associates have Dalton tossing the rock like a madman.
This could easily be the year Cincinnati puts it all together and makes a playoff run look like child’s play. If the football gods keep the injury bugs at bay, this season could go down as one of the best in Bengals’ history. After all, this is a bona fide rebound year. They have to keep the trend going.