Bengals = Cardinals? Not Quite

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Further troubling a Bengals offense that was last in the NFL in total offense in 2008 is their schedule, pitting them against run-stopping stalwarts Baltimore and Pittsburgh twice a year in divisional rivalries. Also, the presence of the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and New York Jets — all top-10 run-stopping defenses in 2008 — will force the Bengals to rely more heavily on the pass.

Such a reliance will rob the Bengals of the play-action pass that was not only a staple of the 2008 Cardinal attack, but Palmer’s signature play before he missed the final 12 weeks last year with the elbow injury.

Despite their weaknesses, the 2009 Bengals may still appear on paper to be the closest to copying the 2008 Cardinals archetype.

However, in order to reach that level of success the Bengals will have to progress beyond their impotent offensive scheme and add some home run ability.

Without such big plays on the field, Bengal fans might want to wait before making their own bold move: purchasing plane tickets for Miami in February.

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