As a football fan born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, trust me when I tell you that it pains me to write about the successes that the Bengals will incur for the upcoming 2006 football season.

A prolific offense that was one knee injury (or lack thereof) away from going further in the AFC playoffs only a year ago, this Cincinnati club is back with a vengeance, and will more than likely take all of its pent up frustrations out on the rest of the division.

For one reason or another, the Cincinnati Bengals have been a media haven since last season’s playoffs.  Between Carson Palmer’s knee and the crackdown on Chad Johnson’s touchdown celebrations, all the way to the arrests of Chris Henry and Odell Thurman’s offseason “habits,” fans of the black and orange have seen their team laced across headlines. 

If any coach is able to get their team to play through all of the commotion, it is HC Marvin Lewis.  Many questions have swirled upon this team’s future, and Lewis has been able to put it all on the backburner, and allowed his players to prove what they have on the field.

Every NFL fan knows that this team’s offense is solid, as it was ranked 5th overall last season.  Aside from Palmer and Johnson, this squad boasts one of the best second receivers in league in T.J. Houshmandzadeh, as well as one of the most underrated running backs in all of the NFL in Rudi Johnson.  The injuries to backup RB Chris Perry may force Johnson to carry the ball more, but if consistency is what you want, Rudi has your answer.  Toss in the addition of Reggie Kelly at TE, and you have an offense that can hit you from all angles.

Cincinnati led the league last year in turnover ratio, however, the loss of LB Odell Thurman for at least the first 4 games of the season will be hard to make up.  The strong play of Brian Simmons last season coupled with the surprising improvement in Ahmad Brooks’ overall game may provide Cincy with the much needed support.  Throw Deltha O’Neal at the corner with the return of FS Madieu Williams, and the Bengals defense may be one that surprises a lot of teams from top to bottom. 

Comingle one of the best offenses in the league with a defense that just doesn’t like when the other team has the ball, and you have yourself a force to be reckoned with in the AFC North.  While the other three teams in the division have taken steps to improve, I think it’s the Bengals that come away with (at least) the North title after it’s all said and done.