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| Title: |
Cincinnati Bengals NFL Football Season Win Projection |
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From http://GamblersTelevision.com
Tony T here from Gamblers Television covering the NFL “Vegas Style” all season long.
A poor 2-6 start to the 2007 season led to a disappointing 7-9 record for the Cincinnati Bengals. It was the first losing season for Bengal head coach Marvin Lewis during his 5-year tenure with the team. The defense played poorly last season and with that came a change in the defensive coordinator. Former Dallas Cowboy defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer takes over the job of fixing the defense in Cincinnati. On offense the Bengals ran the ball poorly and Carson Palmer despite passing for over 4000 yards and 26 TD’s threw his career worst 20 interceptions. Oddsmakers have set the Cincinnati Bengals 208 regular season projected win total at 7 wins.
Schedule:
Cincinnati plays in the AFC North and that means two games against the Steelers, Browns and Ravens. The AFC North has a difficult schedule facing the NFC East and AFC South this season. The Bengal’s do catch a break facing the weaker teams from the NFC East at home against the Redskins and Eagles making a 2-2 record against the division a bit easier. As a third place team in the AFC North last season they catch 2 other 3rd place teams from the AFC in Kansas City and the NY Jets making things much easier for them then say the first place Steelers who must play New England and San Diego.
Offense:
Carson Palmer is a top 5 quarterback in this league and really did not have much of a running game behind him last season. Rudi Johnson needs to run the ball better for the Bengal’s in 2008. He was hit with a hamstring injury last season and he rushed for only 497 yards and averaged only 2.9 yards per rushing attempt in 2007. Johnson dropped considerable weight prior to the 2007 season and has added 15 pounds of muscle to his body in hopes of being a more durable and effective back this season. With a healthy Johnson backup running back Kenny Watson can resume his duties and an effective third down back for the Bengals. Watson in 2006 averaged 9.3 yards per catch out of the backfield. Chris Perry has been a disappointment since being drafted in the first round by Cincinnati. If healthy all 3 can remain healthy the Bengals will improve on the ground this season. Wide receiver Chad Johnson grabbed headlines during the offseason with his tirades about his team but the fact is he had only 8 TD receptions last season. Johnson will be in camp in last July so all the nonsense seems to have paused for the time being. Johnson had a bad year last season so the act only works when you have the numbers to back you. TJ Houshmandzadeh led the team in touchdown receptions last season and his 112 total receptions tied for the most in the NFL in 2007. He is in a contract year so expect another huge year from TJ.
Defense:
Mike Zimmer has a young defense. 7 of his 11 starters have 2 years or less of service in the league. A priority for this unit is to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks as the Bengals recorded a league worst 22 sacks last season. Keith Rivers is a great addition to the Bengals defense. The 9th pick in the draft gives the Bengals a force in the run game with his ability to chase down opposing running backs. Defensive end Antwan Odom comes over from Tennessee where he had 8 sacks last season. Troubled Fresno St defensive lineman Jason Shirley and his 6’5” 330lb size could be the steal of this draft. Hopefully Zimmer can help get this kids head on straight. The Bengals last 3 first round draft picks are all on the defensive side of the ball and all are projected to start in 2008.
And now to my Selection:
Despite a difficult schedule they do get breaks in facing the Eagles and Redskins at home as well as facing the Jets and Chiefs who were third place teams from the AFC last season. No nonsense Mike Zimmer is a huge upgrade at defensive coordinator and will get the respect of his younger players. Even under the Dave Campo era Mike Zimmer’s defenses under the Dallas Cowboys were exceptional. The nonsense is over for Chad Johnson. With the running game getting better it will mean opposing defenses will have to respect play action. The balance on offense will mean more production from ocho cinco. When camp begins and the players look around at the talent on offense and the impact Mike Zimmer is having on the defense the team will jell.
Play the Cincinnati Bengals over 7 wins for the 2008 season.
Selection: Over 7 wins in 2008 Regular Season.
Be sure to visit and bookmark my TV Show page at www.GamblersTelevision.com for continues pointspread coverage from the NFL.
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TonyTssportsbets |
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| Category: |
Sports |
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