Bengals Week 1: Preview

First official game under Head Coach Zac Taylor the Cincinnati Bengals face off against the Seahawks in Seattle. Although the Seahawks was 10-6 last season and a Top 10 defense; their secondary has lost it’s ball hawk in Earl Thomas. However, they traded LB Barkevious Mingo and LB Zack Martin for DE Jadeveon Clowney who can help them in pass rushing but also hurt their depth at LB which they will need if they want to stop Joe Mixon. However the Cincinnati Bengals without AJ Green will look to take the top off of the defense with S Earl Thomas not patrolling the deep zone.

Game 1 – Keys to win

• Offensive line – Block the Blitzes, protect Andy Dalton and also make easy running lanes for Joe Mixon
• Defense – Contain Russell Wilson and Make open field tackles.
• Mental Errors – Minimize Penalties and Make winning plays

X- Factors

• John Ross – Speedy receiver who hasn’t been able to stay on the field but has performed when healthy with last season catching 21 passes with 7 TDs he should play a major role with AJ Green out.
• Special Team – Darius Phillips and Alex Erickson both have a special Team Touchdowns one however not counting from a penalty but both have averages of 22.60 punt return yards (Erickson) and 32 yards per kick return(Phillips). However, with their good play, the Bengals choose to get another return specialist in WR Pharoh Cooper who was a 2018 Pro Bowl Return Specialist.

Prediction

The Seahawks will come out sluggish on offense with a plethora of young wideouts and missing new linemen Mike Iupati but on defense they will give Cincinnati running backs fits all evening with their top 10 defense in the NFL. However the Bengals will get in the endzone more then Seattle with there better than average passing attack.

Cincinnati 14, Seattle 10

Watch: Sun 9/8 4:05 Pm On CBS

Featured Image – Andy Dalton diving into the end zone against the Seahawks. Photo Credit Seattle Times.