In the Bengals 44 years of existence they have given their fans 10 playoff appearances and 2 Super Bowl losses. Since their 1990 playoff victory they have only returned there twice in 2005 and 2009, losing both contests in embarrassing fashion. 2005 marked the team's first playoff game in 15 years which was also the longest playoff drought experienced by the Bengals in team history.
Their downward spiral into futility began in 1991 by finishing with a 3-13 record and continued to get worst over the years as the team became hindered by mediocre quarterback play to put it kindly. Does Jeff Blake or Akili Smith ring a bell? Before 2005 the team failed to finish a season with an above .500 record. Former 2003 1st round pick Carson Palmer's career completion percentage of 62.9, still stands as the best among Bengal starting QB's during their 15 year span of losing. One would assume that retiring after the 2010 season was an easy choice for Palmer after being made aware that team President Mike Brown refused to let him go elsewhere.
Now Carson is suiting up for Oakland after the Raiders gave up a 2012 first-round pick and a conditional second-rounder in 2013 that can become another first-round pick if the Raiders are able to play in the AFC championship game within the next two years.
2011's version of the Bengals is one that experienced promise under the franchise's all-time winning leader in head coach Marvin Lewis and a rookie tandem that took the NFL by storm this season. Lewis was on the hot seat last season but a revived Bengals team has saved his job for now. The rookie tandem was made up of quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green. Other key components were a powerful running back in Cedric Benson, a stellar tight end in Jermaine Gresham, and a 7th ranked defense that made these guys jobs a lot easier. The improvement of the defense began with Marvin Lewis but was hurried along by the hiring of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer in 2008. Under his guidance, they finished in the top 5 in 2009 for the first time since 1983.
Here is a statistical look at the Bengals 2009 playoff team and their current team:
2009 Offense 2009 Defense
O-Line: 9th Passing: 26th Rushing: 9th Passing: 6th Rushing: 7th
Interceptions & Forced Fumbles: 9th
2011 Offense 2011 Defense
O-Line: 4th Passing: 20th Rushing: 19th Passing: 9th Rushing: 10th
Interceptions & Forced Fumbles: 26th
Beginning with a look at the offensive comparisons, you could certainly make a case that the weapons they have now are far more superior than what they've had before. Jermaine Gresham and A.J. Green are huge upgrades from the very inconsistent tight ends of the past and all-time franchise receiving leader Chad Ochocinco. T.J. Houshmandzadeh was the team's leading receiver in 2008 but his career has never exactly sparkled. Drafting Gresham was the first necessary move but when Green came along he provided them an added threat that defenses' could lose sleep over. No respect to Mr. Cinco but as we've all witnessed this year, your not the type of animal Green is and will become.
Along with these two are number 1 receiver Jerome Simpson, slot wide out Jordan Shipley who was placed on IR after tearing his ACL in Week 2 and Brandon Tate. Despite Tate not recording a catch, he provides speed in the open field as many have seen from his kick returns this season. Simpson has complimented the offense greatly this year and with the addition of a healthy Shipley next season along with 2nd year players Ryan Whalen and Andrew Hawkins, the Bengals can look forward too having a stable of pass catchers that could rival the Steelers and Ravens as well as some of the other better offenses' in the NFL.
Running back Cedric Benson was formerly cut by the Bears due to legal trouble and joined the team on a one-year $520,000 contract in 2008. He became their starter in Week 7 of that season. Following this season he resigned with the team for two years and $7 million. Fast forwarding to the 2009 season, Benson recorded his first 1,000 yard rushing season but more impressively he rushed for over 100 yards in six games and totaled 169 yards in their playoff defeat. Both accomplishments were franchise records. Coupled with speedy third year back Bernard Scott, the Bengals have a strong 1-2 punch at their disposal.
Leading the offensive charge is the other half of the Bengals upstart rookie tandem, Andy Dalton. His quarterback play was to be admired at times and he threw 4 less interceptions than fellow rookie Cam Newton but finished with a slightly less completion percentage. The "Red Rifle" as some like to call him, wasn't with out his mistakes but he certainly showed flashes of why the Bengals chose him. As the only other rookie QB who played a full season besides Cam, his consistency wasn't too far away from that of Newton's. The Carolina QB has the upper hand with his exceptional mobility but the Bengals have a player in Dalton who with continued grooming, should be discussed along with Newton, as one of the best quarterbacks the NFL has to offer in the near future.
The current Bengals defense is another product of sound drafting and good moves. Following the 2007 draft the team saw a pair of corners in Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph become a tandem to deal with. Unfortunately Joseph left for free agency in the off-season and Hall was placed on IR earlier in the year. The drop off in pass coverage is telling in the above statistic comparison. Bringing veterans safety Reggie Nelson via trade, signing corner Nate Clements, and having Adam Jones as another safety valve, helped shore up the pass defense this season. Still the void left by Joseph's absence is not one that easily evaporates but i think it's safe to say the Bengals are on their way there with continued wise decisions.
2009 second-round pick Rey Maualuga and newly signed Thomas Howard led the team and its linebackers in tackles. Howard provides a veteran short term presence and Rey is their cornerstone at the position. The other draftees that made an impact in 2011 were 2010 pick's DT Geno Atkins and DE Carlos Dunlap as well as 2009 draftee DE Michael Johnson.
With a loss from the Jets and Broncos last Sunday the 9-7 Bengals were granted a wild card playoff spot.
All seven of their losses were from playoff teams with the only win over a contending team being the Tennessee Titans. Also giving up 190 yards on the ground to the Ravens last week doesn't carry a lot of good momentum heading into Reliant Stadium on Saturday. Especially facing a 2nd ranked Houston rushing attack. Something to look forward too for the Bengals is the shakey play of rookie QB T.J. Yates. If the Bengals defense can keep Yates in the pocket and force mistakes while focusing on stopping the run, it could possibly be a long day for Houston.
As I've shown, the Bengals certainly have the tools to earn their second playoff win since 1990 but will have to overcome the familiar mistakes of a young team and struggling versus better competition.
Noteworthy: Bengals are 0-4 in road playoff games.
Two rookie quarterbacks will meet in a playoff game for the first time in NFL history.
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