Cincinnati Bengals look ahead: Week 1 – Oakland

by Chris Asbrock

The Cincinnati Bengals head west to take on the Oakland Raiders in their NFL regular season opener. Heading west has always been a struggle for the Bengals as they have never won in Oakland. In fact, the Bengals are 9-18 all-time against the Raiders franchise. Many of those losses

Offense

When healthy, the Bengals have one of the best offenses in football. With a thunder & lightning duo at running back along with one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, Andy Dalton has no excuse when it comes to his performance. The running back duo of Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard will lead the Bengals offense and should help alleviate the pressure on Dalton and the passing game.

The Raiders also possess a solid a couple of stud players on offense. The drafting of Amari Cooper adds another receiving option alongside Michael Crabtree. The Raiders offense will provide a solid challenge for the Bengals defense.

Advantage: Bengals

Defense

The battle of these two defenses is what will be the most intriguing. The Raiders have a defense that is mimicking the Seahawks defense. Ken Norton Jr. has this defense playing well.

This will be a physical game that will be reminiscent of an AFC North game. This style of play will suit the Bengals as they experience it most weeks. Don’t sleep on this Raiders defense.

Advantage: Bengals

Special Teams

Both special teams units are solid. Huber is one of the best punters in the league so he can be a gamechanger. On the other side, Sebastian Janikowski has a very good leg.

Advantage: Push

Coaching

Marvin Lewis helped resurrect a Bengals team that was in a brutal stretch. He has lead the Bengals to the playoffs the past four seasons. He has a career record of 100-90-2 in 13 seasons. Even though he has yet to win a playoff game, the talent is there for this team to go far.

Jack Del Rio is in same boat as Lewis was as he now leads the Raiders who have been struggling in recent years.

Advantage: Bengals

Prediction: Bengals 21-20

Other predictions:

Colts over Bills

Panthers over Jaguars

Dolphins over Redskins

Seahawks over Rams

Browns over Jets

Texans over Chiefs

Packers over Bears

Chargers over Lions