Previewing 2013 Cincinnati Bengals Season.

The Cincinnati Bengals have of the best rosters in the league, with loaded draft picks from the past that have panned out very well. They are shooting for their third straight playoff appearance, which is pretty much unprecedented for them but doesn’t seem impossible if you have watched during training camp and the preseason.

The offense is based around third year quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton will have no excuses this year as he will no longer have to target AJ Green that often. Drafting rookies Giovani Bernard and Tyler Eifert will be very good and make immediate impact right off the gates, and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden can attack teams in two tight end sets and four wide sets. The speed of Bernard brings fuel to a running game that was up and down last season.

The defense lead by Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer may be one of the best in football. The pass rush is the defense strength with all pro DT Geno Atkins leading the way and with drafting rookie Margus Hunt in the fifth round from SMU he’ll be in the rotation on the edge most likely. James Harrison coming over from the Steelers he will bring intensity and intimidation, the secondary is solid with pro bowl corner Leon Hall and with Dre Kirpatrick hopefully can play through a injury free season watch out.

With the ability to get to the quarterback and stop the run its hard not to say by the end of the season this defense can at least be a top 5 unit in the NFL because they have all the pieces and the nucleus to accomplish it.

2013 Schedule Predictions:

Sept 8th at Chicago 1pm W

Sept 16th Pittsburgh 8:40pm W

Sept 22nd Green Bay 1pm L

Sept 29th  at Cleveland 1pm W

Oct 6th New England 1pm W

Oct 13th at Buffalo 1pm W

Oct 20th at Detroit 1pm W

Oct 27th NY Jets 4:05pm W

Oct 31st at Miami 8:25pm L

Nov 10th at Baltimore 1pm L

Nov 17th Cleveland 1pm W

Dec 1st at San Diego 4:25pm W

Dec 8th Indianapolis 1pm W

Dec 15th at Pittsburgh 8:30pm L

Dec 22nd Minnesota 1pm W

Dec 29th Baltimore 1pm W

I expect this team to go 12-4 and win the division it will be a three- team fight right until the end. This time around the Bengals wont be measured by anything they accomplish on November and December. Its all about what happens in January, that means winning the division title, and for the first time in the Dalton- Green era play a home playoff game or getting bye would be beneficial

Aug 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

for this team. If everything goes to plan this could be great season in Cincinnati but we will have to see.