It has been a few years since the Cincinnati Bengals have made some noise in the playoffs. They made it to the postseason six out of seven seasons from 2009 to 2015 and came away with… zero… wins. In fact, the Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since January 6, 1991, when they beat the Houston Oilers. Yeah, the last team the Bengals beat in the playoffs doesn’t even exist anymore. Looking at Cincy’s roster, you might think there is some talent there and you would be right. Check out some ways this team can get back to the playoffs in 2018 and maybe, just maybe, win a game while they are there.
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3 things that need to happen for the Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs in 2018
Lots of luck
This has nothing to do with the quarterback in the state to the west. It has everything to do with how other games play out. The AFC North isn’t exactly the strongest division in the league, but these teams aren’t ones to sneeze at either. Big Ben and the Steelers are always dangerous and they are the favorites again going into the 2018 season. After them, it’s wide open. The Browns are totally re-tooled and the Ravens might have a new starting quarterback in Lamar Jackson. If the Bengals are to make a run at the division title, they will need Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Cleveland to beat each other up. Additionally, the Bengals will have to scrape out wins against tough opponents like the Saints, Chiefs, and Chargers
Andy Dalton must be better
When Andy Dalton was drafted in the second round of the 2011 draft, he was seen as the team’s franchise quarterback. Since then, he has been serviceable, but nothing more. In a quarterback-driven league, you need your quarterback to play at an elite level to have success. Dalton hasn’t done that. He has only posted a passer rating over 100 once and over 90 just twice. He’s coming off a season where he barely missed out on a completion percentage of 60 percent. If he can improve that and hook up with A.J. Green frequently, the offense will always have a chance to score 30 or more.
Marvin Lewis needs to be replaced
This is a polarizing topic for Bengals fans. Marvin Lewis has been the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals for 15 years now, and he has yet to win a single playoff game. Even his regular season record of 125-112-3 is barely respectable. August isn’t the right time to make a coaching change, but if the team gets off to a slow start, Lewis should be the first one gone. A change at the top could result in a change for the whole culture. Let us know how you think the Bengals will do in the comments!
