The Cincinnati Bengals hit paydirt with their first two picks of last April’s NFL Draft.  Injuries limited some other rookies who could help them out in the very near future.  Here is a look at what the Bengals’ rookie class did in 2011:

23-year old WR A.J. Green was picked in the first round by the Bengals.  He played in 15 games for the Bengals last year and he caught 65 passes for 1,057 yards (16.3 avg) with 7 TD grabs.  Green also carried the ball 5 times for 53 yards (10.6 ypc) last year.  Green is on the fast track to being one of the best WRs in the NFL.

24-year old QB Andy Dalton came to the Bengals in the 2nd round of the 2011 NFL Draft.  He started all 16 games for the Bengals last year and he completed 300 of 516 passes (58.1%) for 3,398 yards with 20 TD passes and 13 INTs (80.4 QB Rating).  Dalton also carried the ball 37 times for 152 yards (4.1 ypc) with 1 TD run in 2011.  Look for Dalton to continue to improve in 2012 after his impressive rookie season.

23-year old LB Dontay Moch was picked in the third round of the NFL Draft.  His missed his rookie season to a foot injury.  The Bengals like his upside if he can just stay in one piece.

22-year old OG Clint Boling was picked in the fourth round by the Bengals.  He played in 5 games (3 starts) as a rookie in 2011.  He has a nice upside and he can be a full time starter in the very near future.

22-year old safety Robert Sands was a 5th round pick by the Bengals.  He played in 1 game for the Bengals last year as a rookie but he didn’t make any tackles.  He will need to improve quickly if he wants to keep getting paid to play football.

22-year old WR Robert Whalen was picked in the 6th round by the Bengals last April.  Whalen played in 4 games for the Bengals last year and he caught 4 passes for 27 yards (6.8 avg).  Whalen is a possession type receiver who will be behind Jordan Shipley next year.

22-year old CB Korey Lindsey and 23-year old RB Jay Finley came to the Bengals in the 7th round last April.  Lindsey (Cardinals) and Finley (Seahawks) didn’t make the cut for the Bengals, but they also didn’t get into any games for their new teams.

GRADE FOR THE 2011 SEASON:  A

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  A+

The Bengals just didn’t have a good day yesterday in Houston.  Andy Dalton was pretty awful in his first playoff game.  He completed 27 of 42 passes for 257 yards with 0 TD passes and 3 INTs (one of his interceptions was returned 29 yards for a TD by Texans’ DE J.J. Watt).  He also carried the ball 3 times for 17 yards (5.7 ypc) in this game.  Brian Leonard led the way on the ground with 34 yards on 3 carries (11.3 ypc) and he also caught 6 passes for 36 yards (6.0 avg).  Cedric Benson pitched in with 7 carries for 14 yards (2.0 ypc) with 1 TD run yesterday.  Bernard Scott pitched in with 6 carries for 11 yards (1.8 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 29 yards (9.7 avg).  WR A.J. Green (5 rec, 47 yards) and Jermaine Gresham (5 rec, 46 yards) led the way for the Bengals in the passing game.  The Bengals rushed for 76 yards on 19 carries (4.0 ypc) and they also completed 27 of 42 passes (64.3%) for 224 yards as they had possession of the ball for 30:17.

The Bengals just couldn’t stop Arian Foster yesterday (24 carries, 153 yards, 2 TD runs) and it was a huge reason for the loss yesterday.  LB Thomas Howard (6 tackles), safety Reggie Nelson (6 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack and 1 QB hit) and DE Jonathan Fanene (6 tackles and 1 pass defensed) led the way for the Bengals in this game.  The Texans finished up with 188 yards rushing on 35 carries (5.4 ypc) and they also completed 11 of 20 passes (55%) for 152 yards in this game.  This was a bad end for a good season for the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans will meet up in the playoffs tomorrow in Texas.  The Bengals have won two of their last three games, but they lost last weekend against the Ravens in Cincy.  The Texans limp into the playoffs having lost their last three games of the regular season.  The Texans won the earlier matchup of these teams 20-19 in Cincinnati just four weeks ago.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Bengals have the ball:  The Bengals are likely going to try to be balanced in this game offensively.  The Texans are only giving up 96.0 yards rushing per game, but 4.1 yards per carry…..so Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott might be somewhat effective in this game.  The Bengals need to establish a running game or they could be in trouble.  The Bengals’ O-Line has been really solid pass blocking as Bengals’ QBs have only been sacked 25 times so far this year.  But, they will have a challenge on their hands as OLBs Connor Barwin (11.5 sacks) and Brooks Reed (6 sacks) love to blitz.  Former Bengals’ CB Johnathon Joseph will likely be locked up on WR A.J. Green.  That won’t stop Dalton from throwing to him though.  TE Jermaine Gresham and WR Jerome Simpson will likely be facing single coverage most of the day tomorrow, so don’t be surprised if one of those guys have a good game.  Opposing QBs only have a 69.0 QB Rating against the Texans, so Dalton is going to have to be careful tomorrow.

When the Texans have the ball:  The Texans have the best 1-2 punch at RB in the NFL in Arian Foster and Ben Tate.  The Texans are averaging 153.0 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry so far this year, so Foster and Tate are going to be a big challenge for the front seven of the Bengals.  The Bengals played pretty solid run D until last weekend when Ray Rice torched them.  If the Texans get a good running game going, look for rookie QB T.J. Yates to have plenty of time to throw the ball.  If the Bengals slow down their running game, look for them to be blitzing heavily in this game on passing downs.  Yates is going to have most of his regular weapons back in this game, including gamebreaking WR Andre Johnson.

PREDICTION:  TEXANS 23, BENGALS 16

24-year old QB Andy Dalton would have been the Rookie of the Year in the NFL if it weren’t for the land and air show put on by Cam Newton in Carolina.  But, Dalton led his team to a 9-7 record (56.3%) and the playoffs….which Cam Newton is going to be watching on T.V.  Dalton played in 16 games (all starts) for the Bengals this year and he completed 300 of 516 passes (58.1%) for 3,398 yards with 20 TD passes and 13 INTs (80.4 QB Rating.  He also has carried the ball 37 times for 152 yards (4.1 ypc) with 1 TD run this year.  The Bengals are going to need Andy Dalton to play well if they are going to advance in the playoffs.

28-year old Bruce Gradkowski didn’t play much, but he did help the Bengals beat the Browns in Cleveland in the opening game of the 2011 season.  Gradkowski played in 2 games (0 starts) for the Bengals last year and he completed 8 of 18 passes (44.4%) for 109 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 INT (59.7 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 3 times for 1 yard (0.3 ypc) this year.  Gradkowski has now played in 34 games (20 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 370 of 698 passes (53%) for 3,992 yards with 21 TD passes and 24 INTs (65.8 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 82 times for 333 yards (4.1 ypc) in his NFL career so far.  Gradkowski is 6-14 (30%) as a starting QB in the NFL.  The Bengals better pray for Andy Dalton’s health, because they can’t win in the playoffs with Gradkowski at QB.

The Bengals needed this game and they fought hard, before falling just a little bit short.  Andy Dalton completed 22 of 44 passes (50%) for 232 yards without a TD pass or INT.  He also carried the ball 4 times for 17 yards (4.3 ypc) in this game.  Cedric Benson led the way for the Bengals on the ground in this game with 51 yards rushing on 13 carries (3.9 ypc) and he also caught 2 passes for 10 yards.  Bernard Scott pitched in with 6 carries for 34 yards (5.7 ypc) with 1 TD run in this game.  TE Jermaine Gresham (5 rec, 72 yards) and WR Jerome Simpson (5 rec, 54 yards) led the way in the passing game for the Bengals.  The Bengals finished up with 105 yards rushing on 24 carries (4.4 ypc) and they also completed 22 of 44 passes (50%) for 231 yards as they had possession of the ball for 30:34.

The defense didn’t play too good for the Bengals last Sunday as the Ravens pushed them around a bit.  LB Rey Maualuga led the way for the Bengals in this game with 9 tackles.  DT Domata Peko (6 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss) and DE Carlos Dunlap (6 tackles, 1/2 sack and 1 QB hit) also pitched in for the Bengals in this game.  The Ravens finished up with 221 yards rushing on 32 carries (6.9 ypc) and they also completed 15 of 19 passes (78.9%) for 126 yards in this game.  The Bengals finished with a 9-7 record which was good enough to earn them a wildcard spot in the playoffs.  They will play at Houston against the Texans this weekend.

The Bengals control their own destiny tomorrow against the Ravens as they will win a wild card spot in the playoffs with a win.  The Bengals have won two games in a row.  The Ravens have won five of their last six games and they also have something to play for tomorrow.  If they win the game, they will win the AFC North and get the #2 seed and a bye in the first round of the playoffs.  If they lose and the Steelers beat the Browns in Cleveland, then the Ravens will be the #5 seed in the playoffs and they would play the winner of the AFC West.  The Ravens beat the Bengals 31-24 in Baltimore earlier this year.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Bengals have the ball:  The Bengals are likely going to come out running the ball with Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott.  They are going to have to work hard for every yard they get as the Ravens are only giving up 91.8 yards rushing per game and 3.5 yards per carry so far this year.  The O-Line is going to have to protect Andy Dalton good in this game, if they are going to be able to make plays in the passing game.  That won’t be easy as OLB Terrell Suggs (13 sacks) and the Ravens (47 sacks this year) love to put pressure on the QB.  Andy Dalton has a lot of poise and he’s a gunslinger, so look for him to challenge a solid Ravens’ secondary tomorrow.  A.J. Green, Jerome Simpson and Jermaine Gresham are going to have to step up and have good games if the Bengals are going to win this game.

When the Ravens have the ball:  The Ravens are going to try to feed the ball to Ray Rice.  When he’s effective, they win.  When they get away from the running game, they lose.  The Bengals will aim to gang up on Ray Rice and put all the pressure on Joe Flacco to beat them with his right arm.  The Bengals get a good pass rush from their defensive line, which will help them cover zones with the linebackers in the passing game.  The Bengals probably need to double team Torrey Smith, who torched them for 165 yards on 7 catches in the first meeting between these teams.  That would force Flacco to beat them by throwing to someone else.

PREDICTION:  RAVENS 20, BENGALS 17

23-year old rookie WR A.J. Green has been elected to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.  Green has played in 14 games for the Bengals so far this year and he has caught 63 passes for 1,031 yards (16.4 avg) with 7 TD grabs.  He also has carried the ball 5 times for 53 yards (10.6 ypc) so far this year.  Green has had 4 games so far this year with 100+ yards receiving, which is very impressive for any player…let alone a rookie.  Green is going to grow as a player along with QB Andy Dalton and that’s going to be scary for the rest of the AFC North going forward.

The Bengals have lost 26-year old WR Andre Caldwell for the rest of the season as he has been placed on the Injured Reserve List due to a groin injury.  Caldwell played in 13 games for the Bengals this year and he caught 37 passes for 317 yards (8.6 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  He has played in 51 games in his four years with the Bengals and he has caught 124 passes for 1,172 yards (9.5 avg) with 6 TD grabs.  This is going to hurt the Bengals a little bit as Caldwell was their #3 WR this year.

The Cincinnati Bengals won a tough battle with the Cardinals last Saturday.  Andy Dalton was solid in this game as he completed 18 of 31 passes for 154 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 INTs.  He also carried the ball 5 times for 48 yards (9.6 ypc) in this game.  Cedric Benson led the way on the ground for the Bengals in this game with 16 carries for 57 yards (3.6 ypc) but he also lost 2 fumbles.  Bernard Scott pitched in with 28 yards rushing on 10 carries (2.8 ypc).  TE Jermaine Gresham (5 rec, 56 yards, TD) and WR Jerome Simpson (5 rec, 42 yards, TD) led the way for the Bengals in the passing game.  A.J. Green pitched in with 2 receptions for 25 yards and he also carried the ball 2 times for 25 more yards.  The Bengals finished up with 165 yards rushing on 34 carries (4.9 ypc) and they also completed 18 of 31 passes (58.1%) for 136 yards as they had possession of the ball for 31:39.

The Bengals’ D was pretty solid in this game.  Safety Reggie Nelson (7 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack, 1 pass defensed, 1 QB hit and 1 interception) and LB Thomas Howard (6 tackles and 1 pass defensed) led the way for the Bengals in this  game.  CB Nate Clements (4 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 pass defensed, 1 QB hit and 1 interception), LB Rey Maualuga (3 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interceptions) and DE Jonathan Fanene (2 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 tackles for a loss and 4 QB hits) also had solid games for the Bengals.   The Cardinals finished up with 59 yards rushing on 18 carries (3.3 ypc) and they also completed 23 of 44 passes (52.3%) for 257 yards.  The Bengals are now 9-6 on the year and they will earn a wild card spot in the playoffs if the can beat the Ravens this Sunday in Cincy.

The Bengals are trying to get into the playoffs, but they have been going backwards lately, losing four of their last six games.  The Cardinals on the other hand have won four games in a row and 6 of their last 7 games.  They are also trying to surge into the playoffs.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Bengals have the ball:  The Bengals are going to try to stay balanced offensively in this game.  Cedric Benson will likely have a heavy workload against a Cardinals’ D that is allowing 117.4 yards rushing per game and 4.0 yards per carry so far this year.  The O-Line is going to have to keep Andy Dalton clean if he’s going to be able to make some throws down the field.  WR A.J. Green routinely beats double teams and he is likely going to have a lot of attention from the Cardinals’ corners and safeties tomorrow.  If they give Green too much attention, Dalton will just check down and get the ball to Jermaine Gresham, Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson.

When the Cardinals have the ball:  The Cardinals are likely to come out throwing the ball against the Bengals tomorrow.  The Bengals will need to get to the QB, and Cardinals’ QB have been sacked 47 times already this year.  Cardinals’ QB John Skelton is a very confident gunslinger, but that sometimes gets him into trouble.  The Bengals are hoping to get a couple of pickoffs as they will be giving help over the top against Larry Fitzgerald.  If Skelton can beat the Bengals by throwing the ball to Todd Heap, Early Doucet and Andre Roberts….so be it.  The Bengals will also have to be ready to stop RB Beanie Wells as he will likely be jacked about returning to Ohio.

PREDICTION:  BENGALS 20, CARDINALS 17