Biggest Takeaways from Cincinnati Bengals' 2014 Season

In hindsight, one thing rings true about the 2014 Cincinnati Bengals—the team was a spitting image of the one that took the field the three years prior.

Maybe that is not entirely fair, but as coach Marvin Lewis commented after his team's 26-10 dismissal at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card Round, a team is ultimately judged by its ability to win in the postseason.

"Tomorrow's not promised for anyone," Lewis said Sunday, per ESPN.com's Coley Harvey. "That's part of life in the NFL and the finality of losing when you lose in the playoffs."

In reality, Cincinnati's ability to fight through season-long injury woes and qualify for the postseason a fourth time in as many years in an AFC North that yet again sent three teams to the playoffs is impressive.

It all circles back to the desired end result, though. The 2015 offseason is now the focal point, so let's take the time to reflect on last season and identify a few of the biggest takeaways that will impact the franchise as it once again searches for answers in the face of change and adversity.

Health Matters

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

This is not a pass for Cincinnati's fourth-straight poor showing in the postseason.

The health issues in 2014 are proof enough that the Bengals are an extremely deep team. To review, here were some of the names on injured reserve and their importance:

• Marvin Jones—No. 2 wideout and owner of 51 catches for 712 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2013.
• Andre Smith—starting right tackle and No. 19 overall tackle in the NFL in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
• Vontaze Burfict—starting linebacker, tied for No. 4 overall in NFL at 4-3 outside linebacker at PFF in 2013.
• Tyler Eifert—No. 1 tight end and major component of offense before season-ending injury in Week 1.
• Jayson DiManche and Sean Porter—critical linebacker depth.

Feel free to keep in mind that Giovani Bernard and A.J. Green only appeared in 13 games due to injury, while Rey Maualuga only appeared in 12.

The point is a 10-5-1 record seems like a borderline miracle given the competitive state of the AFC North.

Injuries are something every team must deal with, but a playoff berth speaks to the talent of the roster and coaching staff.

However, it did seem like a foregone conclusion that a loss on Wild Card Weekend was in the cards. Not only were the above players on injured reserve, but Green and Jermaine Gresham missed the contest outright, while Maualuga left early.

All things being equal next year, the Bengals are set to get some serious talent back in the fold, even before offseason additions.

Past Strengths Fade

David Richard/Associated Press

Gone was former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. So too was the reasonable assumption that the Cincinnati defensive line will be the strength of the unit.

Under the guidance of new coordinator Paul Guenther and without end Michael Johnson, who left during free agency, the line only forced 20 sacks in the regular season. The consistent lack of pressure left a 20th-ranked pass defense in coverage longer than in past years, hence the rank.

Geno Atkins, the lynchpin in which the past productivity centered on, was a shell of his former self after rehabilitating a knee injury. He wound up ranked 20th overall at PFF and finished with just three sacks.

Carlos Dunlap led the team with eight sacks and was mostly his usual self, but those around him stumbled. Margus Hunt failed to develop into the Johnson replacement most hoped he could be, while Wallace Gilberry and veteran Robert Geathers made minimal contributions.

At tackle, veteran Domata Peko was a weakness in all facets and wound up ranked 80th on the same list as Atkins—one that graded 81 players total. Those behind him such as Devon Still and Brandon Thompson failed to seize notable playing time, too.

The negative ripple effect on the rest of the unit, injuries or not, is clear. Also clear is the thought that a number of changes in the defensive trenches will occur this offseason in an attempt by the coaching staff to recapture the magic of past years.

Competition Is Key

Jason Miller/Getty Images

Marvin Lewis and the Cincinnati front office knew what they were doing this past offseason.

The team is sold on Andy Dalton as a leader. Fair enough—they should be, considering the current situation is much better than landing a Geno Smith or EJ Manuel.

For one reason or another, though, they decided not to push Dalton with competition. Sure, they drafted AJ McCarron out of Alabama in the fifth round last year, but he came off the board that late for a reason. The former Crimson Tide star is a backup similar to Dalton who can run the offense but is not good enough to actually threaten for the starting gig.

Then there was veteran journeyman Jason Campbell, who the team inked on a one-year deal. Lewis made it quite clear he was not in the Queen City to compete.

"Jason obviously has extensive playing and starting history, and as a backup, he can provide the stability and experience we're looking for in that role," Lewis said at the time, per ESPN.com.

It is one thing to be sold on a quarterback. It is another to treat one who is not Peyton Manning like Peyton Manning. For better or worse, the staff needs to see how Dalton responds to competition moving forward.

Coaching Is Key

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Mike Brown and the Cincinnati front office are big on continuity.

Sometimes, continuity can be akin to banging one's head against a wall, though. Fox Sports Ohio's Joe Reedy provides justification for that comparison in number form:

"

Under Marvin, #Bengals have been outscored 78-13 in second half in postseason games

— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) January 4, 2015"

Cincinnati's body language in each of its last four postseason appearances was noticeable. The fire was absent, injuries or not.

Look at this past Sunday's playoff game. After the Bengals hit a field goal near the end of the first half, they came out for the second flat, and a 13-10 deficit morphed into the 26-10 loss.

What happened?

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora places some of the blame on offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, too:

"

No signs of life or creativity from Bengals today. Figured we'd see Hill and Gio together. More option looks. They still blamin Jay Gruden?

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 4, 2015"

Speaking of Jackson, he may be on his way out the door for a head coach position as Jay Gruden and Mike Zimmer did before him.

This scenario in turn creates more upheaval in a staff that continues to struggle with the immense talent at its disposal. Perhaps the threat of another coordinator loss spurns further change in the continued modernization of the organization (general manager, anyone?). 

Regardless, the staff in Cincinnati has its work cut out for it this offseason.

2015 Is the End of the Road

David Kohl/Associated Press

Next year is the end for these Bengals.

Many may call for one of Andy Dalton or Marvin Lewis to move on this offseason, but be real about the situation—this is a Cincinnati front office that allows contracts to play out and is big on continuity.

Lewis is the coach through the 2015 season, and after 12 seasons, it is clear he will play out that contract. Dalton's contract, in spirit, is a two-year deal worth $25 million, with no repercussions for the team after 2015 if it decides to go in another direction.

These things align like so for a reason.

Lewis and Dalton have one final chance to score a playoff victory. In theory, 2015 will be a healthier campaign for the team as a whole, and the staff will have more new talent at its disposal thanks to another draft.

Just know that if things go south in the postseason once more, a rebuild might just be in order. The grass is not always greener, so the 2015 season is already shaping up to be the most important in quite some time.

All stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com as of 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 5 unless otherwise specified. Advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).