2007 Previews: Cincinnati Bengals

Note: This is a team-by-team look previewing the 2007 season. These are my official thoughts on how I think things will play out.

Last year: 8-8 (tied for second in AFC North)

Best addition: Leon Hall (CB, drafted in 1st round out of Michigan)

Key personnel loss: Brian Simmons (LB, Saints)

2007 outlook: An offense that features Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, Rudi Johnson, TJ Houshmandzadeh and Willie Anderson should automatically be guaranteed a record better than 8-8 yet it seems all of the Bengals extra-curricular activities finally caught up with them last year. The team as a whole seems to be better behaved this offseason but the defense will have to play a lot better if they are going to win more games and make the playoffs.

The biggest hole Cincinnati seemed to have was in its secondary, which it addressed with its first round pick of Hall but the team is still thin at the corner position. The loss of Simmons takes a consistent player out of the LB corp but the Bengals always seem to have a knack for finding suitable replacements.

Key to success: The offense will produce so the ability of the defense to prevent opponents from outscoring them will determine how far this team goes. As far as beating the other teams in their conference, Cincinnati went 4-2 last year against Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh but only went 2-4 against the rest of the AFC. Talent is not an issue with these guys, but as the defense goes so do the Bengals chances of the playoffs.

Against Washington: The last time the Bengals faced Washington was in 2004 when they beat the Skins in Washington 17-10. Cincinnati should appear on Washington's schedule again in 2008.

Fantasy sleeper: Kenny Irons. Rudi Johnson should be a top 10 pick considering the consistency he has had the past few years but Irons is a definite home run threat any time he touches the ball. Like the LaDainian Tomlinson-Michael Turner situation in San Diego, Irons may not start a game this year but could put up a big point game or two with long TD runs. On a team full of fantasy stars, look for Irons to be available for pickup from waivers during the year until he has a big point game.