Generally, historically, the Bengals are not viewed as a Defensive team.

They've had some nice defensive players, but they've never been confused for an elite defensive unit (like a steel curtain or purple people eaters or such), but have had some very good Offensive seasons.

Usually when they've had a good season, it's been the offense carrying the defense.

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In the 1988~1990 window, the Bengals finished in the top 10 offensively all 3 seasons, with an average placement of 4th. But in the 2 playoff years (1988 & 1990) they didn't finish in the top half of the league in defense.

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Going back to the last playoff win (1990) the trend of bad defenses supplemented by good offenses has continued.

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From the 1991 season up until a few years ago, their average finish in defense was 24th (out of 32 teams), while their offense averaged the middle of the pack.

From 1991 up until a few years ago the defense never finished in the top 10, while the offense had 5 finishes in the top-10 (2004~2006 Palmer/Chad/Rudi and 1996~1997 Blake/Pickens/Dillon)

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But now that's all changing...

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In the last 3 years they've had 2 top-10 defenses.

In 2009 they finished 6th in defense, and in 2011 they finished 9th in defense.

The Bengals defense has actually done BETTER than their offense for 3 of the last 4 seasons.

Contrast this with the fact that this had only happened in 3 times in the previous 20 seasons.

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So after decades of being known as a team with bad defenses that has some good offensive seasons...are the Bengals becoming a DEFENSIVE team?

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Oh, and if they are becoming a defensive team with an elite defensive unit, it's about time we celebrate it by giving their defense a great nickname - hopefully something better than draperies (like the steel curtain).