With Cedric Benson Ripping, Cincinnati Bengals Will Stay in AFC North Running

This time last year, Cedric Benson was a forgotten man. Another former first-round draft pick with a bust label, and little more value than last week's garbage.

Cut by the Chicago Bears, Benson was unemployed for four weeks before being signed by Cincinnati. The Bengals had no illusions about the kind of player they picked up. They weren't looking for a Pro Bowler. They were simply desperate for a warm bodied running back.

Benson gave the Bengals that much-needed depth at running back and by the end of the season proved to be more than just a warm body. By training camp, the Bengals felt like they had a legitimate weapon.

On Sunday, Benson showed why Cincinnati was so high on their reclamation project. The former Texas Longhorn was simply dominate, ripping a good Green Bay defense for 141 yards on 29 carries. Benson didn't just pick up yards, he wore down the Packers and by the fourth quarter, he was in complete control.

Benson's play is vital to the Bengals' success in 2009. Without a strong running game last year, the Bengals struggled to put up any kind of offensive numbers. Sure, Cincinnati had trouble at nearly every offensive position, but running back seemed to struggle more than the rest.

Last week's season opener against Denver showed just how vital Benson and a strong running game is to the Bengals' success. The Broncos, deathly afraid of Cincy's long-ball ability, blanketed the receivers on the edge effectively taking Chad Ochocinco, Lavernues Coles and Chris Henry out of the game.

What the Broncos did do was leave the middle of the defense wide open, a strategy that would be suicide if the Bengals were able to exploit it. With no reliable tight end threat and a running game that was stymied, the Bengals struggled all game.

On Sunday, the Bengals had no such problems. Emphasizing the running game right from the beginning, Cincinnati sliced through the Green Bay defense time and time again. Nearly all of those rushes came by Benson, who never seemed to tire.

Of course, the offensive line must take a lion's share of the credit. Playing much better than it did a week ago, the big fellas dominated the men in front of them, not only blowing open holes for Benson, but keeping quarterback Carson Palmer upright.

With Benson effectively running the ball, Cincinnati was able to take advantage of its other weapons. Palmer suddenly looked like the franchise quarterback he is, using all areas of the field and hitting three different receivers for touchdowns. Simply put, an effective running game suddenly makes the Bengals much more dangerous.

There are still 14 games left in the season and the Bengals face three-straight AFC North games starting with Pittsburgh at home next Sunday, but Cincinnati suddenly looks like a legitimate contender.

The Bengals still must show it can run against stalwarts Pittsburgh and Baltimore, but if it can, Cincinnati could have the best offense in the division.