The Bengals D will be better this year. You just might not know it.

The Patriots

The Ravens (x2)

The Colts

The Saints

The Chargers

The Steelers (x2)

You might recognize this as a list of some of the more high powered offenses that the Bengals are facing this year.  Respectively, these teams finished 6th, 9th, 7th, 1st, 4th and 12th last year in terms of points scored per game.  Offensively, they were among the leagues leaders in yards gained as well - respectively they were 3rd, 13th, 9th, 10th and 7th.  Arguably they comprise the top third, or perhaps the top quarter of the best offenses in the league.  Not arguably, they comprise 8 games, or half of our schedule.

This list of course doesn't include other teams that have a decent shot at joining the high powered offense club. The Jets have added new receivers and RBs to bolster their offense. The Falcons certainly have the weapons to do it.  The Panthers could be a sneakily good offensive team with an impressive O-Line, two of the best RBs in the league, and new leadership at the QB position.  And the Dolphins also have the ability to make things happen with new weapons like Brandon Marshall, the wildcat and a QB who some consider to be on the brink. 

So what can we expect from our D this year?  If nothing else they have become more talented.  Geno Atkins hasn't played an NFL regular season snap yet, but is proving tenacious to the quaterback (and is my new favorite player on the defense).  I love the athleticism that Dunlap brings to the table.    MJ at Linebacker seems like a brilliant move in the early stages.  Odom is coming back healthy.... and that's just a list of the big men.  Our DBs are also improved.  Adam Jones not only adds a talented #3 nickle player, he brings explosiveness to the return game.  Trent is coming into his second year.  Roy Williams is returning healthy (knock on wood).  All of whom are being led by the great Zim, somebody who we all have confidence in.  If I'm forgetting somebody, it's because the list of talented players is almost too long to keep track of.  (And did I mention Maualuga???)

But don't expect that the Bengals will rank 4th again by the end of the year.  In fact, in terms of overall numbers, I expect that they will only get worse next year.  The fact of the matter is that even the best defenses don't go against the Saints, Patriots and Colts without taking a few lumps.  Without a doubt the Bengals have built a defense under Lewis and Zim that is one of the elite groups in the league (top 3 or 5 perhaps), but don't expect that the numbers will tell that story.  Are they going to be better?  Hell ya!  Are they going to finish top 5 in yardage or scoring allowed?  That is something that we'll have to wait to see.

-C or B (An apology to Keith Rivers and Peko for not including them in my list.  Please don't hurt me.)