Bengals vs. Texans: Future Bright for Bengals Despite Humbling Loss

The Cincinnati Bengals took a nasty defeat on the chin from the undermanned Houston Texans. The Bengals did not connect on big-play attempts with A.J. Green, but most importantly, they were torched by the Texans' run game.

Arian Foster lit the Bengals up for 153 yards on the ground, and his elusiveness highlighted some of the team's tackling deficiencies. That is especially apparent on the long TD run that iced the game.

Despite the loss, the Bengals have an impressive rookie QB in Andy Dalton, an emerging superstar in A.J. Green at receiver, a nice young tight end in Jermaine Gresham, and a good young defense.

After years of hanging on by a thread, head coach Marvin Lewis finally seems to have the team pointed in the right direction. The Bengals need to continue to shore up their offense, with special attention to their offensive line.

On defense, the safety position is an area they can improve. Also, keep in mind, the Bengals played much this season without two of their most talented players on defense: LB Keith Rivers and CB Leon Hall.

Both major factors and contributors to Cincy's defense, injuries prematurely limited the seasons of Rivers and Hall.

Hall will definitely be back, while Rivers' wrist injury could threaten his return. All that withstanding, at full strength, the Bengals are expected to challenge for the AFC North title next year, and return to the playoffs.

So, while this one hurts for Bengals fans now, another playoff berth should follow this time next year.