The Cincinnati Bengals started out white hot in the 2009-10 NFL season, going 9-3 before the wheels began to fall off. The death of wide receiver Chris Henry most definitely hurt this team. Despite the fact that he was not very significant statistically, he was apart of the locker room and losing somebody that shares in the pain and glories of such a start is a deafening loss at a personal level.
The Bengals limped to a 10-6 finish, dropping big games to three playoff opponents and only beating the Kansas City Chiefs. The team relied on its defense more than anything else. The defense allowed the fourth fewest yards and the sixth fewest points. The team did not necessarily excel at stopping the run or pass. They simply stopped both very well and forced 25 turnovers (19 interceptions and 6 fumbles).
Cincinnati will need the offense to show some life if the football team is going to advance. The Bengals only averaged 19.1 points a game and relied on the running game. The passing game never quite got going despite early signs that quarterback Carson Palmer might be heading back to his peak. Palmer ended the season with 3,094 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He reconnected with Chad Ochocinco to an extent, with Ochocinco catching 72 passes for 1,047 yards and 9 touchdowns. Laveranues Coles and Andre Caldwell failed to emerge as a number two receiver.
Running back Cedric Benson dominated on the ground, running for 1,251 yards and six touchdowns on 301 carries. He experienced a few injuries during the regular season, but Bernard Scott and Larry Johnson were fin temporary replacements.
For the Bengals to really make a run in the AFC side of the playoffs that cornerbacks Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph will have to keep up there ball hawking habits since the second round berth will bring them to Indianapolis or San Diego to play against Peyton Manning or Phillip Rivers. Bengals tickets for the first round of the playoffs will be for a game played on their terms at home on their field, Paul Bryant Stadium.
