Yeah, I'm going there...

[TheUberHuber]

(07-22-2018, 03:46 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: I'm predicting that the Bengals finally get their 1st playoff win in almost 3 decades.

Anyone who's ever read any of my posts during 6+ years in this community knows that I don't have a lot of confidence in Marvin Lewis or his coaching staffs when it comes to high pressure games and situations. However, I honestly feel like that is going to change this year. 

I think Lazor is going to truly put his stamp on this offense, and really scheme to player's strengths and individual skill sets.

I think the addition of Pollack is going to pay huge dividends because his style challenges lineman to be aggressive and extremely physical, and I think they are going to feed off that energy and as the year progresses...will be flat out kicking some ass.

Alex Van Pelt is another new addition to the staff that is going to be getting major kudos at year's end. Having worked closely with McCarthy / Rodgers, as well as a few years with Tom Clements...I think he brings a lot of knowledge to the table, and Andy will benefit in a big way.

I like the hiring of Austin as DC as well, and think he could reach a completely different level in his coaching career here in Cincy, much like Zimmer achieved after his solid run in Dallas and rocky year in Atlanta.

I think these coaches all help Marvin to elevate his own game. Marvin has been here for a long damn time, and I think if he's was brutally honest, he would admit that even he needs a renewed fire lit under his ass. 

As for the players, I feel like Andy and AJ are both going to have HUGE years on offense. I also think that young guys like Kroft, Mixon and Ross are going to have a very big impact as the year goes on.

On defense, I like that fact that the Bengals seem to once again be developing a potentially havoc-wrecking d-line rotation with the additions over the past couple of years. If both Atkins and Dunlap can maintain their high level of play, this group is going to be very interesting to watch. 

I also feel like the secondary is going to have a big year under Austin's scheme. I think WJIII cements himself as a top 5 corner in the NFL, and Jessie Bates will have an important impact during the second half of the season. 

All in all, I just feel like there's something special brewing this season. There's a good mixture of established players, and some potentially very exciting young players, as well as new voices / perspectives on the staff. Of course, there are a few if's and question marks involved, but what team doesn't have those right now? 

I just really believe that if this team can stay relatively healthy...that this will finally be the year that we finally see a playoff win. I could wind up looking like a complete fool for making this prediction, but it's a prediction I haven't made since 2005 and I'm feeling really confident that it's going to happen.

Let me know if you agree, or if you think I'm bonkers. 

I agree the defense is going to be a force to wreckon with this year but the offense -from what i witnessed last night - is still at least a year away from being back to top form. Sadly aj green isn't getting any younger either. 

Ced needs to go. That guy is horrible.  If he is on the field we have no shot a winning a playoff game.