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CFM Team Rating: 73

Offensive Scheme: Balanced

Defensive Scheme: Base 4-3

Strengths: QB, TE, RE, DT, FS

Weaknesses: HB, FB, WR

Offensive Scouting Report

• The offensive corps of the Bengals looks to be solid for many years to come. With QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green leading the way expect to have many years of success.
• Rookie HB Giovani Bernard needs to be your starting HB from day one. He is the most explosive HB and has the most upside. Give him the reps he needs to become an elite player and spell him with the aging BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
• Outside of A.J. Green the Bengals don’t have another threat at WR. Focus on WRs in your team’s first draft.

Defensive Scouting Report

• The defensive line is stacked with athleticism and playmakers. There is a ton of versatility in terms of scheme, so make sure to plug and play each player at different positions.
• The Bengals linebackers are solid and have a lot of hit power, but they do lack top end speed. Look for speedy linebackers in free agency or in the draft. This pickup will help with your team’s overall coverage ability.
• You have tons of speed in the secondary but no real standout player to build a defensive powerhouse around. Try to shop around some of the extra speed and see if you can strike a good deal with owners who covet this rating.

Owner & Coach Profiles

Key Players

WR #18 A.J. Green

• Green will dominate in the red zone, so look to get him the ball on end-zone fades.
• Make sure to target Green at least 10 times a game. Make this your goal each game to ensure he gets enough touches.

DT #97 Geno Atkins

• Atkins will be crucial for blitzes that require elite acceleration. He provides your defense great flexibility with a 94 ACC rating at DT.
• Mix in max coverage defense because Atkins is a one-man rushing crew. He gets to the QB quickly with his 99 PMV.

PRE-GAME Setup:

Key Running Substitution

Who: HB Giovani Bernard

Where: Starting HB

Why: Bernard might be a rookie, but he will have to lead the Bengals’ rushing attack this season.

Key Stats: 94 AGI, 94 ACC

Key Passing Substitution

Who: TE Tyler Eifert

Where: #2 WR

Why: Eifert is a TE, but this rookie will be a huge target split wide for QB Andy Dalton. Utilize his height for big plays down the sideline.

Key Stats: 6’5”, 88 CTH, 84 CIT, 90 JMP

Key Run Defense Substitution

Who: LE Margus Hunt

Where: #2 DT

Why: Rookie LE Margus Hunt is huge. At 6’8” he will be a force on the field. He also has great athleticism, which will help for coverage purposes.

Key Stats: 6’8”, 85 SPD, 89 ACC, 83 POW

Key Pass Defense Substitution

Who: CB Onterio McCalebb

Where: Nickel/Dime CB

Why: McCalebb has speed for days. Get him on the field at all costs. He will be great for blitzing situations as well as for covering the league’s fastest WRs.

Key Stats: 97 SPD, 91 ACC, 94 ACC