Cincinnati Bengals: 5 Players That Must Be Effective in Cincy's Playoff Run

The Cincinnati Bengals are in the playoff hunt.  Check that—they're tied for the best record in the AFC.

Given that they've got life on this team, there are guys who are going to need to continue to step up.  The Bengals can't expect to coast against teams like Indianapolis and Jacksonville all year long.

Tough games against Pittsburgh and Baltimore are on the horizon.  Things are about to really come to life for Cincinnati, and these five guys are going to need to be effective if the Bengals want to continue to fight for AFC supremacy.

Andrew Whitworth

After weeks of criticism, I'm ready to admit that the Bengals' offensive line isn't that bad.  The leader of that O-line is Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati's left tackle.

Andy Dalton has had a good season, and that is due largely to the big guys up front. 

Whitworth is one of the tackles in the league that is very underrated.  You won't hear much about him unless you're from Cincinnati, but he's been key in 2011.

If he starts to implode, the entire offense will only unravel.  Dalton is still a rookie and if he's constantly pressured, he's going to crumble.  Andrew Whitworth was the team's MVP in 2010, and he needs to continue living up to the title.

Carlos Dunlap

Second-year defensive end Carlos Dunlap hasn't had a great season thus far, but he showed a lot of life in the Week 9 victory against the Tennessee Titans.

He came through with three tackles and two sacks.  This is great, but that made his season totals rise to 14 tackles and only three sacks (he had nine and a half in 2010).

While Dunlap hasn't been all that effective so far in 2011, he showed that he could be against Tennessee.  Being on one of the stingiest defenses in football, Dunlap certainly has a lot to give, which he showcased in 2010 as a rookie.

He plays very well against the pass, but needs to show it more down the stretch, especially against Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco.  The Bengals' D-line is pretty good, and Dunlap has all the talent to be the leader against the pass.

Reggie Nelson

Reggie Nelson has already put together a pretty solid 2011 campaign, making 50 tackles with an interception and a pair of forced fumbles.

He's in a secondary with guys like Leon Hall and Nate Clements, both cornerbacks.  This leaves Nelson to be the leader among the safeties.  He's been one of Cincinnati's many surprises.

Over the next several weeks, the Bengals' secondary is going to be dealing with the likes of Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Hines Ward, Mike Wallace and Andre Johnson.  The going is getting tough.

Reggie Nelson can't slow down now, and he certainly can't let down a defense that he's basically been the MVP of. 

Nelson is quick off the snap and has been able to keep up with most receivers very well.  He's got excellent field vision, and that will be tested in Week 10 against the reigning AFC Champs.

A.J. Green

Did anyone not see this guy coming?  He's been every bit as valuable as a fourth overall pick should be, and then some. 

He's caught 40 passes for 599 yards and five touchdowns through eight games.  That puts him on track for a very good rookie campaign, especially given his circumstances on an extremely young team.

A.J. Green has been one of the Bengals' saviors in 2011, and is proving to be the best up-and-coming receiver in the game.  He can catch the deep ball and the short screen pass—and run like the wind down the field. 

He's not susceptible to dropping passes either, which is hard to find in rookie receivers.  Green has almost single-handedly breathed new life in Cincinnati.

But, he's not quite been alone...

Andy Dalton

Andy Dalton is the most important man in Cincinnati after nine weeks of football.  Many experts doubted whether or not he could be successful—I think their mouths have been shut.

Dalton has thrown for just under 1,700 yards in his rookie season, throwing for 12 touchdowns—which is tied for the rookie record through eight games.

He's hit rough spots here and there, mostly against the 49ers' tough defense and partially in Buffalo.  Still, Dalton has posted a passer rating of exactly 85, which is extremely respectable.

What has made him so efficient is how smart he's been.  He won't force passes, and has often been right on the money with his throws.  It doesn't matter how tough the defense is—if the quarterback has a good mind for the game, he'll find a way.  That is exactly what Dalton has done.

Week 10 against Pittsburgh is approaching, so Dalton vs. James Harrison shall commence.