Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Cincinnati Bengals have become an increasingly difficult team to cheer for over the past several years. It has nothing to do with a lack of making the playoffs, but rather, doing anything once a postseason berth is achieved. The good news is second-year offensive coordinate Hue Jackson is determined to take a stand, which should boost the Bengals’ confidence heading into the 2015 NFL season.
“It’s got to mean something to you when it doesn’t go right,” Jackson said, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It’s got to cut you to the core. Last season cut me to the core. I promise you that. I think it cut a lot of people at the core because we are tired. I’m tired of being the brunt of jokes. I’m tired of our organization being the brunt of jokes. At the end of the day, that’s what we do this for. I don’t want to be the laughingstock of anything and neither do those players in there on the offense. You have to take a stand.”
Marvin Lewis, who has been Cincinnati’s head coach over the past 12 seasons, has seen plenty of highs and lows. Since 2003, the Bengals have made the playoffs six times. Of those six times, zero have led to a second-round berth. Ironically, each loss occurred in the Wild Card round, which means no first-round byes.
It certainly could be worse, which is where the frustration lies. Cincinnati has been good enough to reach the postseason, but they have yet to produce the quality football that is necessary to take the next big step.
Prior to hiring Jackson as the offensive coordinator, the Bengals posted 26.9 points per game, 368.2 yards of total offense per game (258.5 passing and 109.7 rushing), plus-one turnover ratio, 33 passing touchdowns, and 14 rushing touchdowns during the 2013 NFL season. In Jackson’s first season last year, Cincinnati recorded 22.9 points per game, 348.0 yards of total offense per game (213.8 passing and 134.2 rushing), zero turnover ratio, 20 passing touchdowns, and 19 rushing touchdowns.
Even though the rushing statistics have clearly improved, the overall game stats are down. That means if Jackson is “tired of being the brunt of jokes,” it is time for him to inspire the offense and win the big games when it matters most. Emerging victorious in important games during the regular season is how the team can be prepared for when they face an immensely talented opponent in the playoffs.
The Bengals have clinched a postseason berth in five of the past six seasons, including four straight. If there was ever a time for them to finally take the next step and give people a reason to hand them respect, it is this year.
Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
