Bengals Rookies and Vets Look to the Playoffs In 2009

After getting to the playoffs in 2009, the Bengals have struggled through a major injury to quarterback Carson Palmer in 2005, an injury-ridden defense in 2007, and trade requests from wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco over the past two years. But after the installment of a new defensive coordinator, solid 2009 off-season roster pickups, and the return of their beloved quarterback, the Bengals will be looking back up this season.

In 2008, the biggest weaknesses of the Bengals were on the offensive line and at quarterback, where Harvard grad Ryan Fitzpatrick filled in for Carson Palmer, leaving the Bengals dead last in total offense on the year. The defense ranked 12th in the NFL in 2008, up from 27th the previous year under the new defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer.

The team filled in a lot of holes this offseason, though, and they are going to need it against the AFC North rival Steelers and Ravens, who donned the two best defenses in the NFL last year.

The ailing offense returns quarterback Carson Palmer, who claims to be at 100 percent from his elbow injury against the Giants early in 2008. Even though the team lost Pro Bowl wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh, they picked up Laveranues Coles in free agency, and they return Chad Ocho Cinco, Andre Caldwell, and Jerome Simpson. Runningback Cedric Benson also returns, coming off of two 100-yard games to cap off the 2008 season.

The offensive line also got a little bit of a makeover this offseason. The line returns Andrew Whitworth, Nate Livings, and Bobbie Williams, and picks up first-round draft pick Andre Smith of Alabama and fourth-round pick, center Jonathan Luigs.

This offense is full of solid vets and athletic young talent that very easily could be strong enough to make it against the league's best defenses with a little urgency and leadership from the coaching staff and veteran players.

Mike Zimmer's already solid defense added Tank Johnson to the line and repeat Pro Bowler Roy Williams to a developing core of safeties in Ndukwe and Crocker. The linebackers return Dhani Jones and Keith Rivers, and add USC's Rey Maualuga.

Don't forget previous first-round draft pick cornerbacks, Joseph and Hall, who's intensity on the field has been felt since their arrival in Cincinnati.

This defense is only going to improve under Mike Zimmer.

The Bengals, with a made-over roster from top to bottom, will compete well and probably win against most teams from the NFC North and AFC West. Many teams in those divisions have quarterback questions, such as Denver, Minnesota, and Oakland.

Standing in the Bengals' way this season are the Super Bowl Champion Steelers and the AFC Runner-up Ravens.

The match-ups are right this season for the Bengals to have at least an 8-8 season. If they can win two of the four games against the Steelers and Ravens this season, in any combination, look for the Bengals to be a playoff team in 2009.