Cincinnati Bengals: 1 Advantage over Each Division Foe in 2012

A year ago, the Cincinnati Bengals went 2-4 in the AFC North as the team was overpowered by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens—the only two divisional wins came against the lowly Cleveland Browns. 

To improve on that horrific divisional record in 2012, the Bengals are going to have to find and exploit specific weaknesses of each divisional foe. 

This offseason, every team in the AFC North improved in one way or another. It would not be an understatement to say that no team is going to regress in 2012 thanks to how the offseason treated each squad. 

While the Bengals appear to have improved their roster, so did every team. To contend for an AFC North crown in 2012, these are the weaknesses of each divisional foe that the Bengals must exploit. 

Baltimore Ravens: Excellent pass rush can take advantage of weakened Ravens O-line

The Ravens managed to have a solid offseason that should allow them to stay in the playoff hunt in 2012, but one area the team suffered was along the offensive line. 

Ben Grubbs, one of the better guards in the league, left for more money in free agency. This prompted the Ravens to sign ex-Bengals guard Bobbie Williams, who is 36 years old and coming off of a broken ankle. 

The heart of the offensive line, center Matt Birk, is 36 years old and on his last legs. If there is one area Cincinnati can exploit, it will be overwhelming the aging offensive line. 

The Bengals have a variety of talented pass-rushers such as Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson. Exciting rookies such as Devon Still and Brandon Thompson could take advantage as well.

Finally, it would be wise to remember that Mike Zimmer loves blitzing from the secondary, meaning a freak like safety Taylor Mays could wreak havoc on the ailing Ravens offensive line.

Cleveland Browns: Bengals' experience can trump Browns' inexperience 

How quickly things change. Just a season ago, the Bengals were the team in the AFC North with a rookie quarterback and the least experience on the roster. This year, that title suddenly switched to the Browns. 

In 2012, Cleveland will be touting a rookie quarterback in Brandon Weeden and a rookie running back in Trent Richardson. The rest of the roster is not as young, but overall, it is a less experienced roster. 

On the other hand, rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green played like veterans last season despite being rookies. A year of experience, not to mention playoff experience, will do the Bengals wonders against lesser experienced teams like the Browns.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Bengals' aerial attack can exploit mediocre Steelers secondary

Outside of Troy Polamalu, the Steelers secondary leaves something to be desired. Ryan Clark and Ike Taylor are serviceable, and Cortez Allen has a boatload of potential, but that is suddenly not good enough against a team like the Bengals. 

This is not anything new. The Steelers defense has always relied on its elite pass rush to cover the mediocrity of the secondary, and 2012 is no different.

The Bengals just so happen to use an offensive scheme that counters this defensive approach. The West Coast offense relies on short, quick passes to counter a blitz, which is something Dalton did very well last season.

Dalton and the evolving offense should look to take advantage of the Steelers secondary in 2012. Green is a deep threat that can burn Pittsburgh like he did last year, but spreading the ball around quickly will help even more.   

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