NFL record predictions for the 2018 regular season

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans makes a peace sign as he warms up on the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans makes a peace sign as he warms up on the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Bengals

Marvin Lewis somehow finds ways to keep the Cincinnati Bengals in playoff contention. If nothing else, this should be viewed as an accomplishment. In 2018, however, Lewis may only find it harder to do so. The Bengals are a good distance away from actually competing.

I’m higher on the Bengals than most. If they can reach their potential, then they could win the AFC North. But you can say these kinds of things about any team in the NFL, and the reality is that the Bengals have proven too little to garner reasonable confidence as a playoff contender.

Anything can happen, but the Bengals’ offense and defense both have shortcomings that must be addressed. Andy Dalton has yet to prove himself as “they guy”, and as he grows older, it’s looking as if he never will. And he won’t get much help from the rest of his offense. The Bengals’ running game will fall onto the shoulders of Joe Mixon, who underwhelmed in his rookie season. The team’s cast of receiving threats was weakened by injuries, and players like Tyler Eifert and John Ross will need to prove they can stay healthy. This could be a tall task for them.

The Bengals’ offensive line improved over the offseason, adding players such as Cordy Glenn and Billy Price to the starting lineup. Despite these additions, the unit is still thin, and even one injury could throw chemistry awry. On defense, it’s the same. The Bengals have some good pieces. But the depth on this team is seriously lacking, and in the NFL, that’s all that matters if a team wishes to compete for sixteen games.

Cincinnati Bengals record projection: 6-10