BENGAL-MANIA

 I'm excited and I hope you are too.  The NFL is underway and the Bengals play for real on Sunday.  For the next 17 weeks, I'll offer a preview of the upcoming game.  One is on a Thursday and the preview will be on Tuesday.  Today, I'll give an overview of the team in addition to the game preview.  

The Bengals were 2-14 last year; the first for head coach Zac Taylor (his real first name is Zac).  Gone are Andy Dalton and Tyler Eifert.   Last year's team defense was rated in the bottom five of a NFL teams - mainly, they couldn't tackle anyone.  The offense was mediocre but you can't fix everything at once.  

The team brought in expensive veterans to shore up the defensive line, corner backs and safeties.  They also drafted heavily on young players to fill the linebacker slots.  This unit will probably be better than last year's defense but it is unwise to expect too much out of the rookie linebackers.  To make up for this, look for the team to play more 'nickle' defense this year with one less linebacker and one extra safety - especially against teams with running quarterbacks like Baltimore.  Look for newcomers D.J. Reader (lineman) and Vonn Bell (safety) to make a big difference. 

The biggest problem last year on the offensive side of the ball was injuries and a lack of quality linemen.  Star receiver A.J. Green and new left tackle Jonah Williams were injured and missed the whole season.   They both seem to be at full strength, now.  Let's hope everyone stays healthy this year - we are a little thin at some positions.  

Oh yes, we have a new quarterback this year.  You may have heard of him.  His name is Joe Burrow.  If anything good is going to happen this year, it is probably up to Joe.  #9 is the darling of the fans at this point.  Statistically, he had the best college season last year of any quarterback, ever.  Don't expect too much at the beginning.  Joe is still a rookie,  a downpayment on the future.  I hope he wins multiple Super Bowls here in the next 12 years.

The men with all the money, Las Vegas bookies, have set an over/under bet on the Bengals at 5-1/2 wins this season.  These wise guys have also favored LA in this week's game by 3 points.  No betting against the Bengals,  please.

The team coming to play us this Sunday is the Chargers (late of San Diego).  After 16 seasons, Phillip Rivers is no longer their quarterback - he now plays in Indy.  They only won five games last year and now Tyrod Taylor will lead their offense - he, coming to them from Buffalo.  He'll be throwing the ball to all-pro Keenan Allen and handing it to running back Austin Ekeler.  On paper, this offense is not all that scary.  

The scary part for me is their defense which will be chasing Joe Burrow all afternoon.   Watch Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, both edge rushers, try to manhandle our offensive tackles.  Run, Joe, Run! Then notice that the Chargers have all-pro defensive backs.  The runner may not be Joe Burrow but Joe Mixon.  

Notice that in neither team info did I mention special team players.  Close games, like this one is probably going to be, are often determined by special teams play.  Lets hope the Orange and Black are up to it. 

Other info:  the Bengals have a staff of 23 coaches!  the team has named 7 captains for the season (Vonn Bell, Joe Burrow, Giovani Bernard, Josh Jones, A.J.Green, Kevin Huber, Shawn Williams)!    this game will start at 4:05 pm to accommodate the west coast audience!  Cincinnati will wear their black jerseys this week!  Prayers are always appropriate.