Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 Cincinnati Bengals
AFC Previews
BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ
BAL | CIN | CLE | PIT
HOU | IND | JAX | TEN
DEN | KC | OAK | SD
NFC Previews
DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS
CHI | DET | GB | MIN
ATL | CAR | NO | TB
ARI | LA | SF | SEA
Cincinnati Bengals
| 2015 Record | 2015 Finish |
|---|---|
| 12-4 | Lost in wild-card round |
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis
Offensive Coordinator: Ken Zampese
Defensive Coordinator: Paul Guenther
Key Additions
- LB Karlos Dansby
- WR Brandon LaFell
- CB William Jackson III (1st round)
- WR Tyler Boyd (2nd round)
- CB Chykie Brown
Key Departures
- S Reggie Nelson
- WR Mohamed Sanu
- WR Marvin Jones
- WR Brandon Tate
- CB Leon Hall
- LB P.J. Dawson
- S Taylor Mays
- OC Hue Jackson
Preseason Power Ranking - #9
Let's forget about the continued playoff disappointment for a second. This is still one of football's most complete rosters, and there's no reason Cincinnati can't take the next step this year. More ...
Projected Starting Lineup
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| WR | A.J. Green |
| WR | Brandon LaFell* |
| WR | Tyler Boyd (R) |
| LT | Andrew Whitworth |
| LG | Clint Boling |
| C | Russell Bodine |
| RG | Kevin Zeitler |
| RT | Cedric Ogbuehi |
| TE | Tyler Eifert* |
| QB | Andy Dalton |
| RB | Jeremy Hill |
*Brandon LaFell suffered a hand ligament injury; Tyler Eifert was placed on the preseason PUP list
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| DE | Carlos Dunlap |
| DT | Geno Atkins |
| DT | Domata Peko |
| DE | Michael Johnson |
| OLB | Vincent Rey* |
| ILB | Rey Maualuga |
| OLB | Karlos Dansby |
| CB | Adam Jones |
| SS | Shawn Williams |
| FS | George Iloka |
| CB | Dre Kirkpatrick |
*linebacker Vontaze Burfict is facing a three-game suspension for violating the league's player safety policy
Questions to Answer
- Is this the year the Bengals win a playoff game?
- Are there enough weapons behind A.J. Green?
- Can the defense erase undisciplined play?
Best-case Scenario
The defense matures and the Bengals go on a long playoff run not seen since the 1980s.
Worst-case Scenario
Not only do the Bengals go another season without a playoff win, they miss out on the playoffs altogether, forcing the Brown family to cut ties with Marvin Lewis.