Scott Boehm - Getty Images
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 11: Carson Palmer #3 of the Oakland Raiders warms up during pre game prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 11, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)
Some say that the Bengals didn't beat a team worthy of significance this past season, and the numbers will back that up. The team went undefeated against the non-playoff teams, and winless in seven tries against playoff competition. The 2011 season brought the Bengals the 27th toughest schedule in the league, supporting the criticism of the team that many critics shared. The strength of schedule for the 2012 season is set to be the 14th toughest schedule, which would put the Bengals in the top half off the league's toughest schedules.
Cincinnati will play the AFC West and the NFC East this upcoming season, along with Miami, Jacksonville, and the AFC North. A typical Bengals fan might get nervous upon seeing that the team will travel to San Diego and Kansas City. The Bengals have five wins and ten losses in their 15 trips to San Diego. They have also been to Kansas City 14 times, winning six and losing eight. The Bengals obstacles on the west coast have been well documented, and they will certainly need to straighten those out this coming season.
Things can always change, but Cincinnati seems to have a difficult challenge on hand for 2012. The NFC East had a down year in 2011, but they may very well possess the Super Bowl champion from this season. The Eagles were one of the hottest teams in the league at the end of the year, the Cowboys can play with anyone in the league when they are going right, and the Redskins have a tough defense.
The Bengals will likely need to pick up some key free agents this March and have a solid draft in order to improve on last season. One thing to remember is that many "experts" expected the Bengals to be getting ready to take Andrew Luck at this point before the season started. No matter how tough next seasons schedule may seem, or how well or poorly free agency goes, counting this team out would appear to be unwise.
0 recs | 21 comments
I don't really like those offseason strength-of-schedule stats for upcoming years...
Who knows which teams will be good next year, aside from the handful of obvious ones. So much happens over the offseason nowadays, there could be a completely different reality in September.
Israeli - February 2, 2012
This is very true. The Colts projected to be a tough team going into 2011
The Jets were supposed to be a powerhouse. The 49rs were projected to be average at best. Nobody knows how tough a schedule is going to be. Some top teams will fall and some bottom feeders will rise. I am sure everyone on our schedule last year put us down as a probable win. The differential between all of the teams with a few exceptions can easily be changed with additions and subtractions of just a few players.
JUNGLEJOHN - February 3, 2012
I only know one thing right now about next year's schedule
Carson has to come to the jungle……..
ticalcaldwell - February 2, 2012
nope
he said he would never set foot in PBS again, haha…. have to play their back-up.
txbengal29 - February 2, 2012
I'm sure we will hear from his confidant if he will play here or not.......
coward
ticalcaldwell - February 2, 2012
yeah hes not allowed to play here any more
Bengalsfan024 - February 3, 2012
You're assuming Oakland doesnt cut him or trade him.
I’m not sure he will win the starters job despite what the new HC said. Would they keep CP9 on the bench?
BENGALS69 - February 3, 2012
He has already been declared the starter for next year
JUNGLEJOHN - February 3, 2012
What else is new?
We have never been able to beat good teams outside of Baltimore and Pittsburg. Except for the occasional fluke. We can’t even beat Pittsburg 80% of the time. Big game Marvin… Always prepared…
D-Day77 - February 2, 2012 via iPhone app
One thing for certain is the QBs get a lot tougher next year.
played at least 4 backups (K Clemens, TJ Yates, C Painter, J Skelton) last year, and then Kyle Orton, Blaine Gabbert, Tarvaris Jackson, and Matt Hasselbeck.
they suck.
Brennen Warner - February 2, 2012
Ya
The quarterbacks certainly helped make the defense look better..though Hasselbeck and Orton are decent. But yes, the others were essentially jokes
Nick_Crago - February 2, 2012
Another 9-7 season
Would be a big step forward from the 2011-2012 season.
WhoDey14 - February 2, 2012
Gaints steelers ravens and maybe the cowsboys. Other then that we should beat the other teams
Giants and cowboys r both at home. 10 and 6
njbengalstat - February 2, 2012
sheww browns get the colts...
we get the jags again
Bengalsfan024 - February 3, 2012
NFC east will be tougher than they were last season.
Look for Philly to get that dream team together. Giants would be better to play at the beginning of the year before they get on their late season roll. Redskins are a legit team with no QB. The cowgirls ahhh, depends on what QB shows up, Romo or Homo. That’s one must win game IMO.
Bigcatdaddy - February 2, 2012 via Android app
And the Redskins may have Peyton by that time
It doesn’t matter, we’ll still beat them all!!!!!!!!!!!!
biggie22 - February 2, 2012
WHO DEY!!
Bigcatdaddy - February 3, 2012 via Android app
nfc east scares me right now
Brennen Warner - February 3, 2012
Until we patch up some obvious holes and find an offensive identity every team scares me.
JUNGLEJOHN - February 3, 2012
What is the over/under for how many picks Carson will
throw in his return to PBS? How many will be taken back for TD’s??
pemci - February 3, 2012
"cant wait"
But i think Carson will have one of his better games,i hope its one of those windy ass Paul Brown stadium days
keithp - February 3, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Cincy Jungle to post a comment.