The Bengals finished the 2007 season, 7-9. It was their worst record under current head coach, Marvin Lewis. While the Bengals continued to do well on the offensive side of the ball, it was the defense that was giving Cincy fans nightmares.
The only brightside for the Bengals defense was that they forced a lot of turnovers. In 2007, the Bengals forced 35 turnovers, which was third best in the NFL. As a matter of fact, the Bengals finished the season with a +5 in turnover margin, 8th best in the NFL.
The defense didn't have much luck stopping opponents from scoring. The Bengals gave up 385 points in 2007, the most since the 2003 season. The Bengals gave up an average of 24 points per game. In fact, the Bengals gave up at least 20 points in all nine losses last season.
The Bengals defense had a rough time stopping the pass, giving up 3600 yards in the air with 29 touchdowns, among the worst in the NFL.
Under defensive mastermind, head coach Marvin Lewis, the Bengals defense has in fact not recorded a top 10 in either points or yardage. Lewis has had adequate success at the helm for the Bengals.
In five seasons in Cincy, Lewis is 42-38 with one division title to show for it. Lewis will enter his sixth season as the Bengals head coach, which is how long previous coaches Dick LeBeau and Bruce Coslet lasted in Cincy, combined.
If Lewis can't get the team on track, he could be looking for another job elsewhere.
The Bengals open the 2008 season on the road when they face the Baltimore Ravens. At home, the Bengals will play Jacksonville, Philly and KC. On the road, the Bengals will play Dallas, New York (both teams) and Indy.
Time for those burnin' questions (yearbook style):
- Chad Johnson: I died a little inside just typing that
- Johnson will most likely: Continue to be obnoxious
- Will he change his name to "Ocho Cinco:" Depends, when will somebody teach him the Spanish language. (It's Ochienta y Cinco for those at home who have never taken a Spanish class)
- Carson Palmer will: Change his name to nueve (Somewhere right now, Dave Klingler is LOLing)
- TJ Houshmanzadeh will most likely: Continue to have his last name butchered (I know that feeling)
- Running back most likely to carry the load in 2008: Kenny Watson
- My favorite running back name: Kenny Watson
- Running back I'd like to devote an entire blog post to: None other than Kenny Watson (It just rolls off the tongue)
- Rookie we should probably watch for: Keith Rivers (Pat Sims of Auburn is my dark horse, if he stays healthy)
- Any Chris Henry arrest questions: Not this time around
- Coolest names (Top 3): TJ Houshmandzadeh, Frostee Rucker, Herana-Daze Jones
- Does Frostee get some playing time: I hope so. America needs Frostee (I'd devote an entire blog post to Frostee Rucker as well)
- 80s song to best describe team: It's Hip to be Square- Huey Lewis and the News
- In 2008, the Bengals will: Go 6-10
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