ESPN projections. Good news. Bad News.

[Luvnit2]

(05-08-2019, 01:29 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Good news first.  14 of 16 Bengal games will be against teams ranked 13th or lower (non-playoff level).  The only 2 in the top 13 are the #3 Rams and #4 Pats.  Here are the rest of the Bengals 2019 opponents.

#14 Seahawks
#15 Browns x2
#16 Steelers x2
#17 Ravens x2
#18 Jags
#21 Niners
#23 Raiders
#26 Jets
#27 Bills
#31 Cards
#32 Dolphins

Now the bad news.  Bengals are ranked 29th and projected to win just six games.

So I guess the BEST news is that these pre-season projections are not worth a lot.  In 2010 we were projected to be a championship contender coming off of a Division Championship season and adding 2 big weapons to the offense (TO and Gresham), but we crashed to a 4-12 season.  IN 2011 we were projected to be one of the worst teams in the entire league, yet we made the playoffs.

I used to think our defense was our strength. I now think they a liability, a major liability. Our offense will have to have an awesome year to stay in games. So, unless we add a strong vet LB, I think our defense again will be in 28 to 32 range.