Cincinnati Bengals' Passing Game Needs To Improve If They Want To Be Contenders

When Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson scored the team's first touchdown of the 2009 season to take a 7-6 lead over the Denver Broncos with 38 seconds to play, it appeared to be the perfect way to end a game that consisted of two struggling offenses.

Instead, the Bengals were left watching Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley sprint down the sideline for an 87-yard touchdown pass. What makes this play even more frustrating for the Bengals is that the only reason Stokley caught the ball was a pass intended for wide receiver Brandon Marshall was deflected his way.

Even though the Bengals lost 12-7 on Stokley's miraculous game-winning touchdown, the passing game was part of the reason why the team lost Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Many analysts have selected the Bengals as a possible sleeper team for 2009. With a healthy quarterback in Carson Palmer and a wide-receiving corps that has the potential to cause headaches for opposing defenses, it appeared that the Bengals offense would put up similar numbers to the same team that was crowned champions of the AFC North in 2005.

Chad Ochocinco was looking to bounce back from arguably one of his worst seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver, finishing with just 540 yards and four touchdowns. Laveranues Coles was looking to use his quickness and speed to fill in the void left by T.J. Houshmanzadeh, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason. Even Chris Henry had high expectations after he appeared to be a more mature player, as he had one of the best offseason's of any member on the team's roster.

With all of the hype surrounding the Bengals wide receivers, fans of Cincinnati were hoping for a high-powered performance from Palmer and company in the team's opening game against the Broncos.

Instead, the Bengals failed to record a single touchdown from one of their wide receivers, with their only touchdown coming off Benson's score in the final minute of the fourth quarter.

Palmer finished 21-of-33 for 247 yards and two interceptions. Ochocinco performed well, hauling in five receptions for 89 yards and leading all Bengals wide receivers.

As far as the other two wideouts with high expectations, they each finished with just one reception. Henry hauled in an 18-yard reception while Coles snagged an 11-yard catch from Palmer.

If the Bengals want to be the "sleeper" team that many have anticipated them to be, they will need their wide receivers to step it up in Week Two against the Green Bay Packers.

It may not be easy, but the Bengals will have to live up to the challenge against the Packers defense if they want to be contenders in 2009.

Otherwise, they may find themselves chasing the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North for the rest of the season.