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NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) walks back to the sideline during the second half in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) walks back to the sideline during the second half in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

56. . AFC. North. Cincinnati Bengals. 2. player

The problem for the Cincinnati Bengals has not been making the playoffs over the past four years. It has been what they do when they reach them. The Bengals have been one of the most consistent franchises in the NFL over that span, winning the AFC North once and three times qualifying for the postseason as a wild card. The talent is there for another postseason berth, but can they do more with it?

Once again, it will be head coach Marvin Lewis and quarterback Andy Dalton who charge at this challenge. Dalton is a decent player, despite the national media always harping on his (legitimate) issues. Dalton can stretch the field with A.J. Green, one of the elite receivers in the game. Paired with Mohamed Sanu, the Bengals have a potent downfield offense. This could also be the year that former first-round pick Tyler Eifert stakes his claim as one of the better tight ends in football.

The backbone of the offense, though, are the line and backs. Andrew Whitworth is one of the premiere tackles in the game, helping to shut down any pass-rush coming from the blindside. Additionally, Kevin Zeitler and Clint Boling are an excellent tandem at guard, blowing open huge holes for backs Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard. The two combined to rush for 1,804 yards with 14 touchdowns, while Hill rushed for 5.1 yards per carry. No team in the league has a better pair of backs.

Cincinnati should be able to overpower enough teams to reach the playoffs. Combine that with a good defense, and the Bengals have the formula to win 10 games and make some noise, provided Dalton can play better in the big spot (and Lewis can come up with an actual plan). Cincinnati hasn’t been in the playoffs four straight years by accident, this is a battle-tested team.

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