During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Cincinnati Bengals easiest games are the focus.
Cincinnati Bengals Easiest Games in 2016
9. Week 10 vs Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills will get better each week they play. Having a year behind them, the Bills will score more in Greg Roman’s second year as offensive coordinator. But the defense has three projected rookie starters that will be relied upon. The Bengals haven’t seen many quarterbacks as mobile and quick to run as Tyrod Taylor. But the last time they faced Cam Newton, they were able to squeak out a victory. Hence the Bengals will treat Taylor like Newton and survive this difficult game.
10. Week 5 at Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a difficult team to predict. The Cowboys went 4-12 last season but were 3-1 with Tony Romo playing. With a healthy Romo, this is a very difficult game. Without him, this could be the easiest game on the schedule. Rolling with the Cowboys is difficult because they have too many unresolved issues. Ezekiel Elliot is predicted to take the league by storm. And Alfred Morris backs him up providing depth at running back. But Dez Bryant is coming of a horrendous year playing only nine games. If all of the Cowboys return and stay healthy, they have a chance in this one.
11. Week 9 at New York Giants
The New York Giants are another interesting team to predict. Considering they ranked dead last in passing defense, this game should be a stat fantasy dream for Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert. With a healthy Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Sterling Shepard, the Giants will be able to score. But if the Cincinnati Bengals choose to run the ball, the Giants offense won’t touch the field. Since the Giants haven’t made it to the playoffs since they won the Super Bowl in 2011, Tom Coughlin had to go. The Giants made moves to shore up their defense, but will it be enough? Big Blue will be at home and in mid-season form. And Manning is due for a big season. But it probably won’t come against the Bengals.
12. Week 1 at New York Jets
The New York Jets organizational staff obviously can’t judge talent. Hence stalling on signing Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw 31 touchdowns and almost 4,000 yards last season. Regardless of when or if he comes back, the Jets are losing precious time. After watching the likes of Geno Smith, Mark Sanchez, and Tim Tebow, the Jets should understand how hard it is to get a quality quarterback. Therefore, the Jets appear to be a team in reverse and not capable of another 10-6 season. However, having wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker means games will always be interesting. But the over used 30-year-old Matt Forte won’t be able to improve the running back position. So the Jets won’t be ready for the Bengals in the first game of the season.
13. Week 4 vs. Miami Dolphins
Switching a healthy Lamar Miller for a banged up Arian Foster demonstrates the Miami Dolphins woes. By signing high profile free agents in the off-season, the Dolphins defense should be much improved. But will the Dolphins get the ultra talented Ndamukong Suh and Mario Williams, or the problem children? While the 26th ranked Miami offense did little to improve not re-signing Lamar Miller. Ryan Tannehill is a top ten quarterback, but the Dolphins will miss Miller. With a sub-par running game, the Dolphins’ will have to rely on Tannehill too much.
14. Week 13 at Cleveland Browns
Beside the Joe Haden – A.J. Green match up, the Cleveland Browns are just over-matched by the Bengals. The Browns 27th ranked total defense is going to have a difficult time stopping running back tandem Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard. Inclement weather will be the Browns best chance of slowing down Tyler Eifert and the rest of the gang. This game is a tossup with the Philadelphia Eagles. The only reason this game ranks third behind the Eagles is it in division and in Cleveland.
15. Week 12 vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles jokingly played defense last season. Hopefully, they are more serious about playing it this year. They were dead last in the run, 28th in the pass and 30th overall. The Bengals need to save a little tummy room from Thanksgiving to feast on the Eagles. The Eagles are capable of putting up points, scoring 377 which ranked them 13th last season. But there are just too many problems in Philly right now. Sam Bradford is too inconsistent. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor just escaped a strip club incident. And no receiver had over 1,000 yards. First year coach Doug Pederson is going to get his bumps trying to motivate this high potential mediocre team.
16. Week 7 vs Cleveland Browns
The only thing missing from this game is the halftime homecoming ceremony. The Browns haven’t decided on a starting quarterback yet. By week seven, who knows what brave soul will be running the plays. But the Browns did one thing right this off-season in hiring Hue Jackson. With a bountiful draft, the Browns look prepared to build for the future. But as for right now? The Bengals get another by week in this easiest of all games in 2016.
Be sure and check out the eight most difficult games on the Cincinnati Bengals schedule.
