NFL playoffs 2016: Contenders in trouble

Cincinnati Bengals (3-5-1)

This is a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since 1990. But the Bengals have been to the playoffs a franchise-record five consecutive years. Is this a good thing that’s getting ready to come to an end?

What’s Right: Quarterback Andy Dalton has bounced back well after spending the stretch run of 2015 on the sidelines with a broken thumb. He and wide receiver A.J. Green continue to have great rapport and that has been more important than ever.

With tight end Tyler Eifert missing time early in the season and both veteran Brandon LaFell and rookie Tyler Boyd trying to acclimate themselves to the Cincinnati offense, the Dalton-to-Green connection has been essential. The latter leads the club with 66 catches, good for 964 yards and four scores. The second-highest pass-catcher on the team this season is running back Giovani Bernard with just 34 receptions.

Dalton is completing 65.9 percent of his passes for 2,553 yards and 10 scores. He’s been picked off only four times in nine games.

What’s Wrong: What has happened to this team in the trenches? Thanks in part to running backs Jeremy Hill and Bernard, the Bengals ranks 10th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (115.6). However, Dalton has already been sacked 28 times in nine games this season. This was a club that surrendered only 32 sacks a year ago.

On defense, things are considerably worse. Under head coach Marvin Lewis, this is a unit that has been among the best in the league, especially in recent seasons. This year, Cincinnati is 24th in the league in both total yards and rushing yards allowed per game. Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and company have come up with only 17 sacks this year to date. This was a defense that dropped opposing passers 42 times in 2015. It’s been a disappointing showing by this unit, to say the least.

Next: Meltdown in Cheeseland