NFL 2013/14 Division by Division Guide: Bengals won't bungle their golden opportunity

Romilly Evans
04 September 2013

Can Andy Dalton lead the Bengals to an against the odds division win?

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Romilly Evans goes through the league division-by-division and expects some new faces to be smiling by the end of the regular season

"The Baltimore Ravens may have gone to Disneyland and back but now the fairytale is fading with talismen Ray Lewis and Ed Reed in absentia"

AFC East - New England Patriots
Not a division to get heavily involved in. The New England Patriots should win by a street and are priced accordingly (1.271/4 to back). However, they are so dependent on Brady that any injury to their star man (like when his damaged left knee left him on the sidelines for the 2008 campaign) would turn their fortunes on their head.

That said, they're not up against much. Rex Ryan seems to have been set up to fail in the Big Apple - Mark Sanchez will be playing hurt and the Jets have a flagging receiving corps anyway. Miami have some latent ability but can't find a way to unlock it. So I'd pick the Buffalo Bills to give the Pats a run for their money. At least they have some healthy bodies and offensive promise - both at quarterback and wide receiver.

AFC North - Cincinnati Bengals
A notoriously bruising mini-league and a hotly contested one at that. The Baltimore Ravens may have gone to Disneyland and back but now the fairytale is fading with talismen Ray Lewis and Ed Reed in absentia. So if the Super Bowl champs and about to become chumps, surely that means the Pittsburgh Steelers will take over?

Big Ben Roethlisberger should be in better nick to absorb the hits this term, but his injury prone playing style - not to mention that of key teammate Troy Polamalu - has its risks. Perhaps, therefore, this is the time for the Cincinnati Bengals to step up and forge themselves a postseason opening at 2.829/5 to back. Andy Dalton can only improve under center and AJ Green and his skilled crew of wide men will give him every chance to do just that. On the other side of the scrimmage line, Geno Atkins' contract has wisely been extended to bring continuity to a reinforced D.

AFC South - Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are strong jollies here and you can really only oppose them with the Indianapolis Colts. Nevertheless, any comparisons between Andrew Luck and former QB incumbent Peyton Manning seem grossly premature and I would expect rival defenses to have a better hold on Indy's breakout rookie this year.

As a result, it would be folly to look past the Texans (a very fair 1.51/2 to back) who continue to bolster an impressive roster and could finally be ready to post a telling play-off push. For now, though, they are great flat-track bullies in a soft division where they can build confidence. Watch out for the Tennesssee Titans too, who can definitely make some ground gains and could chase Houston home at the expense of the Colts.

AFC West - Denver Broncos
Even at the ripe old age of 37, Peyton Manning remains the real deal. His computational powers would crash the console on John Madden Football and now he has the requisite teammates to show there more life in the old dog. Another year of familiarisation with Eric Decker and Demaryious Thomas should make Manning's calls second nature, while the addition of Wes Welker allows the quarterback the short-field gains with which he can pick apart the opposition.

Be it going deep, or death by a thousand cuts, Manning should lead the Broncos to another effortless AFC West title. Denver can also run the ball (Montee Ball looks their most encouraging outlet), while a soft early schedule will compensate for the six-game absence of the suspended Von Miller.

If it seems like I'm focusing on Denver to the exclusion of the opposition that's because their rivals have so little to recommend them (it's 6.511/2 to back bar the Broncos). They could probably even beat themselves. Although a small shout does go out to the San Diego Chargers who for all the problems retain the potential to turn it all around. Hmm, now where have we heard that before?

NFC East - Philadelphia Eagles
Unbalanced they may be, but the Philadelphia Eagles' plethora of offensive talent can get them out of a jam in any quarter. Especially now the likes of Mike Vick, DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy have a leader in Chip Kelly who will give them the elastic structure they crave. Expect shootouts aplenty in this eternally competitive division but the 5.85/1 to back in an even four-horse race looks too big to turn down.

Of their rivals, Washington look the most solid, after an undefeated pre-season and with the game-changing Robert Griffin III about to take the reins. That said, the erratic Eli Manning and Tony Romo are more experienced than RG3 when it comes down to the wire. This divisional tussle should follow suit in a tight climax.

NFC North - Green Bay Packers
Seeing as I've picked the Green Bay Packers to take the NFC title, it would be churlish to deny them the NFC North selection, even at the 1.855/6 to back. Mike McCarthy is on the cusp of establishing an all-round team, with the talismanic Aaron Rodgers pulling the strings once more. Star rookie runner, Eddie Lacy, should now provide some offensive equilibrium, while the Pack have continued to shore up their defensive personnel on the other side of the ball.

Green Bay look the complete outfit against some divisional opponents long on talent but full of holes. Jay Culter's cannon arm can inspire the Bears but his personality engenders mutiny. Christian Ponder still looks in a state of wonder that he's got the gig every time he takes a snap in Minnesota. While Detroit's struggles are a riddle wrapped in a quadratic equation which seldom adds up to the sum of its parts.

NFC South - Atlanta Falcons
This fourball all have ability, but it's mostly to be found when moving the chains. Only the Atlanta Falcons seem possessed of a hardy resolve on both sides of the ball and that proves the kicker criterion at 2.486/4 to back.

In New Orleans, Sean Payton is back at the coaching helm after his year of banishment and the Saints could prove the pantomime villain of the piece. Drew Brees and his offensive juggernaut need no introduction, yet it's anyone's guess as to whether they'll prove Payton Saints or sinners. So with the jury still out on Carolina's Cam Newton, and the jury in on Tampa's Josh Freeman (it's over), take the Falcons for the avoidance of doubt.

NFC West - San Francisco 49ers
The division which houses the Super Bowl winners, if the betting markets are to be believed. However, this foursome has two leading contenders in the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. For my money, the 49ers shade it at 2.1411/10 to back. Both the Niners and the Hawks can put up some spectacular figures whether the O or D are going to work, but the superior versatility of San Fran's Colin Kaepernick and the return of defensive bulwark Justin Smith (from torn triceps) could make the difference.

In most other divisions, the St Louis Rams and the Arizona Cardinals would deserve more than a footnote. And though the big prices catch your eye (the much-maligned Carson Palmer rates a great fit for the Cards), better to keep stakes small and play it safe.