What can we learn from Preseason anyways?

  I don't think I'm the only person that was caught off guard by the Bengals season. This team is exactly what it wasn't last season. Dominating run game and  Dominating Defense.  But when did this happen? Why didn't we see this comming?

  At the end of last season, we did see the Bengals defense comming together. But there were still questions about the ability to rush the passer. And we didnt know Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph were going to have breakout seasons together. 

  So maybe your that guy saying, " I told you they would have a top 10 Defense". Ok, but I bet you didn't think these Bengals would have a top 10 running game. Not with this offensive line full of rejects.

  Then along comes preseason, and the Bengals lose Carson after the first week. What do these Bengals do? They turn to their Defense and Running game, They turn into your 2009 Cincinnati Bengals. They go into Foxboro to take on the Big Bad Patriots, and shut down the Pats offense. Cincinnati's Defense held New England to 6 points by pressuring Tom Brady and covering Randy Moss and Wes Welker. The Bengals defense recorded 4 sacks, and only allowed 7 of 17 on 3rd Downs. But it was only preseason, and we didnt think much of it.

  The next game vs the Rams was one that the Bengals expected to win. Instead our Bengals turn the ball over 4 times on offense. Generate zero pressure, couldnt get a turnover for the Defense, and commited 8 penalties. Final Score: 24-21. The 2009 Bengals drop a game they were picked to win. Sound familiar?

  Last preseason game, Indianapolis Colts. The gold standard for an NFL team. We would like to keep up with these guys, to see where we stand as a team. Well we didnt keep up with the Colts, we blew past them. The Bengals ran wild for 296 yards on the ground. It didn't matter who was in the backfield, as four Back's gained at least 40 yards. The Defense held the Colts to 7 points, had 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 205 total yards. The Bengals won 38-7.

  Maybe I'm searching for something, or maybe we watched this team grow before our eyes. This team didnt come out of nowhere, and we shouldn't be suprised. So the next time somebody tells you "Preseason dosn't mean anything". You can tell them about the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals.