Cincinnati Bengals: 4 Players Who Need to Step Up Against Colts

The Cincinnati Bengals have surprised NFL fans nationwide with their impressive 3-2 start, but they certainly have some room for improvement.

Indianapolis is riding into town this week with an 0-5 record, but they're a much better team than that record suggests, and the Bengals will have to pick it up if they hope to continue their winning ways.

Here's a look at four guys who will have to have big games on Sunday in order for Cincy to capture their third straight W.    

Cedric Benson

Cedric Benson has been openly critical of his role in the Bengals' offense as of late, but when given 24 carries against Jacksonville last week, he managed to gain just 53 yards. That's an average of only 2.2 yards per carry.

Granted, Jacksonville does boast the 10th best rush defense in the NFL, but those kinds of numbers just won't cut it. 

Luckily for Benson, Sunday's game is a golden opportunity for him to break out in a HUGE way. The Colts rank 31st in rush defense and are allowing 145.2 yards per game on the ground. 

Cincinnati will look to pound the ball between the tackles all day, so Benson better be ready to work.

Jerome Simpson

Just as the Bengals had hoped, rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has been locked in with fellow rookie A.J. Green all season long. Defenses are finally catching onto the rookie-rookie connection, though, so Dalton will have to start looking to his other receiving options more regularly.

That means you, Jerome Simpson.

Simpson is a promising young wide-out, but he has underachieved so far this season, catching only 16 balls through five games. He has been a major asset in the run blocking department, but if he can find a way to increase his receptions, that could take pressure off of Green, as well as tight end Jermaine Gresham.

The Colts pass defense is mediocre at best, so Simpson should be able to contribute in a big way on Sunday.

Nate Clements

If there's one way that the Colts can hurt you the most it's with their passing offense. Quarterback Curtis Painter is inexperienced, but he has looked impressive in his first two NFL starts.

On top of that, the Colts boast one of the deepest receiving corps in the AFC as they have an array of talented receiving options at their disposal.

The Bengals will more than likely ask starting cornerback Leon Hall to lock down Reggie Wayne all day, so it will be up to Nate Clements to take care of Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and the other Indianapolis wide-outs.

It's no secret that the Colts are a pass-first offense, so Clements will have to have a big game if the Bengals are going to slow them down. 

Brandon Tate

When Cincinnati brought in Brandon Tate from the New England Patriots they hoped he could become a dynamic kick return threat. So far, that has not been the case.

While he certainly has the physical attributes to become a big-time playmaker, Tate hasn't been playing the smartest football as of late. 

Week after week Bengals' fans have watched him take balls out of the back of the end zone, make a few moves, and then get taken down, leaving the Cincy offense with poor field position.

If Tate can make some changes and rack up a few nice returns on Sunday, it could go a long way toward getting the Bengals a third straight victory.