Cincinnati Bengals 2010 NFL Projection:
“SWOT analysis” of the 2010 Bengals (including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and
threats) followed by the FootballLOCKS.com classic schedule analysis
and a record projection summary.
Strengths:
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, DE Antwan Odom, linebacker depth, MLB Dhani Jones, rush defense,
CB’s Johnathan Joseph & Leon Hall, pass defense,
RB Cedric Benson, offensive line’s run blocking (LT Andrew Whitworth),
rushing offense, WR experience (Terrell Owens & Chad Ochocinco).
Weaknesses:
Carson Palmer’s loss of some arm strength, punt coverage.
Opportunities:
Can Antwan Odom pick up where he left off last season before going down with an injury and once again be a
sack machine?
Can rookie WR Jordan Shipley be Wes Welkerish?
Will rookie TE Jermaine Gresham be that tight end target the Bengals have lacked?
Will division rival Pittsburgh be able to
play through the suspension of QB Ben Roethlisberger
while also absorbing the departure of WR Santonio Holmes?
Threats:
In division competition front (Baltimore’s acquisition of WR’s Anquan Boldin & T.J. Houshmandzadeh)
the return of Pittsburgh’s SS Troy Polamalu…
Plethora of competitive teams
in the AFC heading into the ’10 season
including
the New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens,
Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh
Steelers, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, and Houston Texans.
Schedule Analysis:
The Bengals’ schedule is no picnic. They will play 7 contests against playoff teams from a season ago
plus 4 more contests against teams that are playoff caliber on paper as follows;
The Bengals need to take care of business against their lesser opponents, because they will be tested in
11 of 16 games.
Record Projection:
We never fell for the Bengal hype of recent years– because the team had no defense to speak of.
But those years are gone.
Now the Bengals have a solid defense through and through, which in itself
makes Cincinnati a threat to win each Sunday.
Add in an offense
that should be more balanced thanks to the additions of WR Owens, rookie TE Jermaine Gresham,
and rookie WR Jordan Shipley, and the Bengals are legitimate contenders for Super Bowl XLV.
I would go as far to say that Carson Palmer must show restraint throughout the season because
his arm strength isn’t quite what it used to be, yet he will be tempted to throw the ball around with
so many new targets. If he stays within himself (doesn’t turn the ball over trying to force
throws) then the Bengals should be very tough to beat.
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Free 2010 NFL Predictions Note:
Remember these now archived 2010 NFL record forecasts were made
during the 2010 preseason.
Of course many team components can alter throughout the yearly
football campaign which may have affected
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at any point in the 2010 season.
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