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Contents

  • Top 5 Tips from Clint Oldenburg
    • Top 5 Tips for Gap Play With Clint Oldenburg
    • Top 5 Running Mechanics With Clint Oldenburg
    • Skills Trainer
    • Gauntlet
    • The Top 17 Plays in Madden NFL 17
  • Draft Champions Mode
    • What Is Draft Champions?
    • Top 5 Tips for Draft Champions
  • Meet the Pros
    • Overview
  • Draft Champions Coach/Playbook Guides by Team
    • Chicago Bears
    • Cincinnati Bengals
    • Buffalo Bills
    • Denver Broncos
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    • Arizona Cardinals
    • San Diego Chargers
    • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Indianapolis Colts
    • Dallas Cowboys
    • Miami Dolphins
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • Atlanta Falcons
    • San Francisco 49ers
    • New York Giants
    • Jacksonville Jaguars
    • New York Jets
    • Detroit Lions
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Carolina Panthers
    • New England Patriots
    • Oakland Raiders
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Washington Redskins
    • New Orleans Saints
    • Seattle Seahawks
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • Houston Texans
    • Tennessee Titans
    • Minnesota Vikings
  • Introduction
    • What’s New in Madden NFL 17?
    • Franchise Mode
  • Madden Ultimate Team
    • What Is Madden Ultimate Team?
    • Start Your Squad
    • Top 5 Quarterback Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Halfback Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Receiver Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Tight End Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Defensive Linemen Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Linebacker Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Cornerback Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Safety Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Ways to Maximize Your Coins
    • Top 5 Solo Challenge Tips on Defense
    • Top Offensive Budget Items in MUT
    • Top Defensive Budget Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Offensive Playbook in MUT
    • Top 5 Defensive Playbook in MUT
  • Fantasy Football
    • What Is Fantasy Football?
    • Why Choose NFL.com Fantasy?
    • Scoring Settings (NFL-Managed)
    • Head-to-Head Scoring Format
    • League Settings
    • NFL-Managed Draft Types
    • Top 5 Must-Have Players
    • Top 5 Sleepers
    • Top 5 Risks
    • Top 5 Rookies
    • Fantasy Football 2016 Draft Guide
  • Franchise Mode
    • Choose Your Experience
    • Choosing a Path
    • Start Your Franchise
    • Top 5 Game Prep Tips
    • Top 5 Position Types
    • Selecting Your Squad
    • Top 5 Win Now Teams
    • Top 5 Teams for the Future
    • Goals
    • Top 5 Scouting Tips
  • Teams
    • Chicago Bears
    • Cincinnati Bengals
    • Buffalo Bills
    • Denver Broncos
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    • Arizona Cardinals
    • San Diego Chargers
    • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Indianapolis Colts
    • Dallas Cowboys
    • Miami Dolphins
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • Atlanta Falcons
    • San Francisco 49ers
    • New York Giants
    • Jacksonville Jaguars
    • New York Jets
    • Detroit Lions
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Carolina Panthers
    • New England Patriots
    • Oakland Raiders
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Washington Redskins
    • New Orleans Saints
    • Seattle Seahawks
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • Houston Texans
    • Tennessee Titans
    • Minnesota Vikings
  • Appendix
    • Glossary
    • Achievements
    • Credits
  • Madden Mobile
    • Madden NFL 17 Mobile
    • Madden NFL 17 Mobile Gameplay Tips
  • Videos
    • Top 17 Plays in Madden NFL 17

Madden NFL 17 Guide › Teams

Cincinnati Bengals

Franchise Mode Strategy

Overall Team Rating: 85

Offense: 91

Defense: 85

Offensive Scheme: Attacking 4-3

Defensive Scheme: Balanced Offense

Strengths: DT, WR, LT

Weaknesses: SS, FB, C

2015 Team Rankings

1st ACF North (12-4-0)

Passing Offense: 15th

Rushing Offense: 13th

Passing Defense: 20th

Rushing Defense: 7th

2015 Team Leaders

Passing: Andy Dalton: 3250

Rushing: Jeremy Hill: 794

Receiving: A.J. Green: 1297

Tackles: Vincent Rey: 98

Sacks: Carlos Dunlap: 13.5

INTS: Reggie Nelson: 8

Key Additions

WR Brandon LaFell

SS Taylor Mays

Key Rookies

CB William Jackson III

WR Tyler Boyd

DT Andrew Billings

CHB Giovani Bernard

Coach

Marvin Lewis

Level: 18

Offensive Scheme: Attacking 4-3

Defensive Scheme: Balanced Offense

Offensive Scouting Report

  • Last season QB Andy Dalton was ranked 35th-best player in the NFL by his peers and because of his stellar performance throughout the season, he is expected to only get better. After seeing what he could do in the postseason, it’s not a surprise that his Overall rank has been so tremendously upgraded.
  • Even though the passing game was strong last season, WR A.J. Green is still by far the best receiver without much back up on the field. It will be interesting to see if the top defenses find an easy way to stop the Bengals’ passing game.
  • With TE Tyler Eifert’s grand performance last year, this season shows tremendous promise for the young TE. Eifert has plenty of years left in his career with this fast growing Bengals team, and there’s no doubt that this season will be strong for him.

Defensive Scouting Report

  • Even though safeties are not the team’s strong suit, they have picked up a few rookies who may be able to help them out. The Bengals might not be able to do much this season, but in your hands you can send some XP their way to make the difference.
  • DT Geno Atkins made some major improvements last year and he’s coming off of a hot streak. It may be crucial for him to have a good season and we think he will.
  • Depth is not what comes to mind when you consider the Bengals; however, they have some very good players. Use this to your advantage when making big decisions this year and make sure you keep your star players in the light.

SCHEDULE

Key Players

  • Overall, Green’s stats have increased and he continues to be the best WR on the field. Due to the lack of depth on the bench, expect Green to be the go-to receiver.
  • Green has a high Awareness rating and will almost always catch the ball if it’s thrown to him. He should be open more often than not.
  • With a combined 42 tackles, 11 sacks, and a forced fumble, Atkins had a great season and is expected to have another. With the ability to find his gaps and break through the line, Atkins will more than likely improve these statistics this season.
  • He may not be the fastest player on the field, but he can reach his top speed rather quickly. Atkins’ acceleration off the line is a major threat to any and all quarterbacks.
  • The Bengals need some help on defense if they want to compete for the championship this season, and picking up William Jackson should strengthen their pass defense. He’s young and has a great deal of speed underneath him, which should translate to great man coverage.
  • Focusing on rebuilding the CB position is a great idea, even if there are a few good players still holding onto the strength of this position.
  • LaFell is a great player and has enough experience in the league to be a great asset for this team.
  • The Bengals have been lacking depth in their WR game, but the addition of Brandon LaFell should be a great way to deepen the bench.

Offensive Depth Chart

POSFIRSTLASTOVR
QB Andy Dalton 87
QB A.J. McCarron 73
QB Keith Wenning 63
QB Joe Licata 61
HB Giovani Bernard 85
HB Jeremy Hill 81
HB Rex Burkhead 71
HB Cedric Peerman 71
HB Tra Carson 62
WR A.J. Green 93
WR Brandon LaFell 77
WR Brandon Tate 71
WR Tyler Boyd 70
WR Cody Core 65
WR James Wright 63
WR Alonzo Russell 62
WR Mario Alford 59
WR Antwane Grant 59
TE Tyler Eifert 90
TE Tyler Kroft 71
TE C.J. Uzomah 66
TE Clark Harris 65
LG Clint Boling 80
LG Christian Westerman 65
LG Alex Cooper 59
LT Andrew Whitworth 93
LT Cedric Ogbuehi 74
LG Clint Boling 80
LG Christian Westerman 65
LG Alex Cooper 59
C Russell Bodine 69
C T.J. Johnson 67
C Alex Redmond 57
RT Eric Winston 75
RT Jake Fisher 74
RT Aaron Epps 62

Defensive Depth Chart

POSFIRSTLASTOVR
LE Carlos Dunlap 87
LE Margus Hunt 65
LE Ryan Brown 59
DT Geno Atkins 94
DT Domata Peko 73
DT Pat Sims 72
DT Andrew Billings 67
DT Brandon Thompson 67
DT David Dean 60
DT Marcus Hardison 60
RE Michael Johnson 79
RE Will Clarke 67
LOLB Karlos Dansby 83
LOLB Jayson DiManche 67
LOLB Trevor Roach 61
MLB Rey Maualuga 84
MLB Vincent Rey 75
MLB Nick Vigil 65
ROLB Vontaze Burfict 88
ROLB P.J. Dawson 71
ROLB Marquis Flowers 63
ROLB Darien Harris 62
CB Adam Jones 88
CB Darqueze Dennard 75
CB Dre Kirkpatrick 75
CB William Jackson III 73
CB Chykie Brown 70
CB Josh Shaw 70
FS George Iloka 84
FS Derron Smith 67
SS Shawn Williams 75
SS Clayton Fejedelem 65
SS Taylor Mays 64

Special Teams

POSFIRSTLASTOVR
K Mike Nugent 80
K Zach Hocker 69
P Kevin Huber 77

Best Offensive Plays

best RUN : Strong Close – Quick Toss

Running Plays
1st Down2nd & Short3rd & ShortGoal Line2nd & Long3rd & Long

Gun Trio – Outside Zone

Weak Pro Twins – Toss Weak

Weak Pro Twins – FB Dive

I Form Tight Pair – Bengals Power G

I Form Tight Pair – Counter Wk

Gun Bunch Wk – HB Base

Gun Split Slot – HB Off Tackle

Pistol Strong Twins – HB Power O

Gun Trio – Inside Zone

I Form Tight Pair – FB Dive

Singleback Y Trips – HB Toss Strong

Gun Bunch Wk – Counter Y

Strong Close – HB Dive

Gun Ace Twins Offset – Read Option

Gun Split Slot – FB Inside

Goal Line – HB Sting

Gun Normal Y Flex Tight – Quick Base

Gun Trips Y Iso – Inside Zone

best PASS : Strong Close – PA Scissors

passing Plays
1st Down2nd & Short3rd & ShortSlot Plays2nd & Long3rd & Long

Gun Split Slot – Corner Strike

Gun Normal Y Flex Tight – Curl Flats

Strong Close – Y Trail

Gun Ace Twins Offset – PA Verts Shot

Gun Split Slot – Slot Flood

Gun Trio – PA Slot Corner

Gun Ace Twins Offset – Bengals Sail

Strong Close – PA Scissors

Gun Ace Twins Offset – PA FL Screen

I Form Tight Pair – Post Shot

Gun Ace Twins Offset – Posts

Gun Normal Y Flex Tight – Four Verticals

Gun Bunch Wk – Inside Cross

Gun Split Slot – PA F Slide

Pistol Strong Twins – Double Flares

I Form Pro Twins – PA Draw Shot

Gun Bunch Wk – Bunch Trail

Gun Split Slot – PA Wheel Switch

Best Defensive Plays

Best RUN D : 43 Normal – OLB Fire Man

Run Defense
1st Down2nd & Short3rd & ShortGoal Line2nd & Long3rd & Long

Nickel Normal – Overload Blitz

43 Normal – Safety Blitz 3

43 Normal – OLB Fire Man

46 Normal – Inside Blitz

Nickel Normal – Cover 4

Nickel 335 – Nickel LB Blitz

43 Normal – LB Zone Blitz

46 Normal – Zone Blitz

Nickel Double A Gap – Mid Blitz

46 Normal - Rush Outside

Nickel 335 – Dogs All Go

Nickel Normal – Over Storm Brave

Best PASS D: 43 Normal – Cover 9

Pass Defense
1st Down2nd & Short3rd & ShortGoal Line2nd & Long3rd & Long

Nickel Normal – Buck Slant Show 2

Nickel Normal – Cover 3 Hard Flat

43 Normal – Cover 9

43 Under – Mike Sam Crash Press

Nickel Normal – Cover 3 Mable

Dime Normal – Cover 3 Buzz Match

Nickel Normal – Cover 2 Buster

Nickel 335 – Loop Crash 2

46 Normal – Cover 3 Match

43 Under – FS Fire 3

Nickel 335 – Cover 2 Man

Dime Normal – 3 Double Sky

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