Cincinnati Bengals: 7 Players Who Must Play Well for a Successful Playoff Run

Against all odds, the Cincinnati Bengals have snuck into the postseason. The challenge of just getting to this point is now over, and now comes the daunting task of winning a postseason game—something Cincinnati hasn't done since 1991.

One thing remains consistent throughout the regular season and playoffs—the leaders of the team must step up. 

Sure, it helps when everyone on the field can up their game and collectively dominate the opposition. Let's be realistic, though.

With such a young squad walking into Houston this Saturday, Cincinnati will need some of their top performers to really step up. If these guys can be successful, it gives the young, athletic Bengals a glimmer of hope towards a great playoff experience.

A.J. Green

Rookie wide receiver A.J. Green had an incredibly memorable first season, boasting 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. That all came on 65 receptions.

If you've watched any of the games the Bengals have played, then you can't doubt that Green is the team's game-changer. It seems that when it's late in the ball game, you can't count on him to make a key catch deep down the field.

His hands are arguably the best in the AFC. If Green can continue to be the Bengals ace in the hole, the young offense will be successful.

Cedric Benson

Cedric Benson had his worst season in black and orange in 2011, managing just over 1,000 yards in 15 games. His meager 3.9 yards per carry doesn't help.

There were even some games where he was benched in favor of Bernard Scott.

After hearing this, why would the Bengals need Benson's success? Simply put, he's the only experienced veteran on Cincinnati's offense.

To put all the pressure on young guys like A.J. Green and Andy Dalton would be greatly irresponsible; and while it's clear they're talented, it won't get the Bengals any playoff victories. Benson needs to produce in the running game.

He's had good games throughout the season, but the inconsistency is starting to be a factor. This may be Benson's last chance to prove himself worthy of being a starting running back, as he enters free agency after this season. A good playoff performance could lock him up in Cincy, or at least solidify some interest in him.

Carlos Dunlap

The downfall of Carlos Dunlap in his first two seasons in the NFL has been the injuries he's sustained. In 32 games in a Cincy uniform, he's missed eight of them. 

However, his 12 games last year were far more impressive—his tackles look very similar between 2010 and 2011—but he had nine and a half sacks in 2010, as opposed to four and a half this season.

Now that Dunlap is back on the defensive line, he is one of the defense's top forces. He is a magnificent pass rusher and should have no problem attacking T.J. Yates and/or Jake Delhomme this weekend.

If he can apply pressure on the passing game, the offense will have to lean on Arian Foster and Ben Tate. Not that that's a bad thing. But having a one-dimensional offense won't win in what has now become a big-time passing league.

Reggie Nelson

As the season wore on, it became clear that the Bengals secondary wasn't nearly as good as it has been in years past. 

First, Pro Bowl cornerback Johnathan Joseph left town for Houston, and then Cincinnati's other stud cornerback, Leon Hall, tore his Achilles. 

Nate Clements is beginning to show his age, Pacman Jones can't really keep up with receivers anymore and Kelly Jennings can't play defense. Reggie Nelson is the team's top safety and is definitely a better defender than his fellow safety, Chris Crocker.

With the secondary falling apart, Nelson will have to be the leader of that part of the field. It's been Crocker and Jones who have been burned down the field in recent weeks; while Nelson continued to be competent with quick speed and excellent tackling ability (he has 85 of them).

Nelson all has four picks and two forced fumbles this year—definitely one of the more under-appreciated guys on the team.

Andrew Whitworth

The Bengals' offensive line has had a very up-and-down 2011 season. One game, they'd protect Andy Dalton wonderfully, and the next, they were a train wreck.

Andrew Whitworth, the team's left tackle, is by far the best lineman Cincinnati has. Guards Mike McGlynn and Nate Livings are average at best, and former first-round pick Andre Smith has not lived up to expectations at right tackle.

Whitworth is the man guarding Andy Dalton's blind side, as well as blocking for the run game. That left side of the field is important, as it is Cedric Benson's favorite side to go to. Plus, as I mentioned, it's Dalton's blind side.

As the leader of the offensive line, Whitworth has to be the example—and he needs to drop the habit of committing untimely penalties.

Rey Maualuga

Linebacker Rey Maualuga has been a great addition to this Cincinnati defense. In three seasons with the team, he's collected 226 tackles.

Unfortunately, his biggest downfall is that he doesn't have a great ability to apply pressure to the quarterback. He's had two sacks in three seasons, and has none in 2011. 

Maualuga makes up for that by being great against the run and having the ability to drop back into zone coverage. He does have a few passes defended and an interception. That ability to stop the run will come in handy this weekend against Houston.

Maualuga will need to utilize his talents to a top-tier level to add to the defense in the playoffs.

Andy Dalton

Who didn't see this coming? Cincinnati's rookie quarterback, Andy Dalton, has been nothing short of the offensive savior in 2011.

Dalton collected well over 3,000 yards and had 20 touchdowns—great performance for a rookie who was "thrust into a bad situation." That bad situation has turned into a playoff run.

For most of the season, Dalton has been very accurate and has had a tremendous mind for the game. He didn't take many sacks and wasn't careless with the football. 

As I mentioned earlier, Cedric Benson isn't having a season to remember, so the running game is only going to be minimally useful. The Red Rifle will have to be at the top of his game, as he will be the cornerstone of the Cincinnati offense.