NFL: Breaking down the 2015 Cincinnati Bengals

With the AFC East out of the way, we turn our attention to the AFC North—a tight division which produced three playoff teams last season and could easily do so again.

Today we look at the Cincinnati Bengals, a team which has made the playoff four straight years, and five out of the last six. Unfortunately, it’s been one and done for every single appearance.

While there are plenty of franchises and fans who would kill for just one playoff appearance, much less four in a row, the Bengals and their fans are looking for more. They want to advance.

Unquestionably, they have talent enough. They have a good offense and a good defense, they have A.J. Green, they have a great backfield. They have Andy Dalton.

Of course, there is an argument to be made that Dalton, while very good, has been as much a problem as any other position in the playoffs. While other position groups have their share of the blame—defense not showing up, an injury to Green—and while we openly admit that quarterbacks get more share of the criticism than they sometimes deserve, the fact is that in post-season play Dalton has not played at a level that will take this team past the first round.

Can he do it this year? And has the team added enough players in the offseason to take advantage of it if he does?

Let’s take a look at the 2015 Cincinnati Bengals.

Next: Quarterback