To get more information about the Seahawks week one opponent, I asked five questions about the Bengals to FanSided’s Cincinnati site, Stripe Hype.
Finally, it is week one of the real 2019 season for the Seahawks. We will get to see real players compete for entire games. Of course, it looks like week one when Seattle takes on the Bengals, Cincinnati will be without one of its most important players, A.J. Green. Good for 12s and good for Seattle!
Or is it? Cincinnati comes in with a veteran quarterback in Andy Dalton. Much like Russell Wilson, without the retired Doug Baldwin and needing to really mostly on less proven commodities, Dalton could find a way to win this game. Is it unlikely? Yes, but Seattle is not at the level where it can rely on talent alone to beat teams. Not anymore.
Cincinnati might also find a way to limit Wilson’s passing game by focusing on Lockett and letting the young guys figure out a way to beat them. This will be game one for D.K. Metcalf, John Ursua and Gary Jennings and there is no way of knowing how they will do. Not even Wilson knows and that is a scary thing.
The game is at least at home for Seattle so that should give them a big edge. The Seahawks started slowly last season and still made the playoffs. But Seattle should not lose to this Bengals team.
To find out more about how Seattle and Cincinnati matchup, I asked five questions to FanSided’s Bengals blog, Stripe Hype, co-expert Steve Rivera. Here is how he sees the game playing out.
Clowney and Ansah
12th Man Rising: The offensive line was kind of a mess last year for the Bengals. In week one they face a Seahawks line with Jadeveon Clowney and Ziggy Ansah. How concerned are you about that and did Cincinnati improve their line this offseason?
Steve Rivera: Hope is one thing, reality is another. It’ll be tough for the Bengals as the offensive line is more questions than answers. Obviously the injury to rookie Jonah Williams was a big blow to fans and an organization who was looking to him for a big first year. Additionally Billy Price has been a disappointment and is now on the bench.
Week 1 will be a significant test for how well the O-Line may or may not respond to players the caliber of Clowney and Ansah. It could be a long afternoon for Andy Dalton and the offense.
Zac Taylor any good?
12th Man Rising: The Bengals have their first new coach in what feels like decades. How different should the Bengals be with coach Zac Taylor?
Steve Rivera: Fans are excited about the change. Obviously, his most recent job in Los Angeles with the Rams has people thinking about what Sean McVay did in year one in LA. That said, talent in Cincinnati in 2019 is significantly different than what McVay inherited in 2016. The cupboard isn’t necessarily bare, but Taylor doesn’t have the number of playmakers he left behind, especially on the offensive side of the football. You have to imagine the next 17 weeks will be akin to a season-long audition for a lot of the players.
One thing that I do look forward to is Joe Mixon. He could have a big season in Taylor’s offense.
Three strengths for Bengals
12th Man Rising: What are the three biggest strengths for Cincinnati going into week one?
Steve Rivera: Andy Dalton is one. He’s a veteran and will be a big assist to Taylor, especially early in the season. Another is the group of receivers Taylor has assembled. Not a lot of big names outside of John Ross in Week 1, but they may surprise you.
Also, keep an eye on Taylor. The locker room has responded very well to him. He’s not what fans have come to expect from Bengals football. Don’t be surprised if he gambles a bit on fourth down or looks to test what is a good Seahawks defense by stretching the field.
Expectations for Bengals in 2019
12th man Rising: Overall this year, what is a realistic expectation for the Bengals and what is a worst-case scenario?
Steve Rivera: After a preseason that was uneven, it’s hard not to find agreement with what many national publications and pundits are saying about the Bengals. It very well could be a season where longtime fans get a final look at players like Dalton and A.J. Green. Perhaps the best scenario is an opportunity for Taylor and the Bengals brass to get a look at just how far back they have fallen within their own division. Cleveland and Baltimore found two solid rookie quarterbacks last season and look loaded for a playoff run. Pittsburgh could very well steal the North away from the Browns just by having lost two major locker room headaches. I think 4-12 is a logical regular season record and probably a top 3 pick in next years draft where they finally get a franchise quarterback.
Who wins when Cincinnati visits CenturyLink on Sunday?
12th Man Rising: Who wins when the Bengals play the Seahawks and why?
Steve Rivera: I don’t see a blowout, but I also don’t see the Bengals stealing a win against Russell Wilson and that 12th Man home-field advantage. I like Seattle in this one, winning relatively easy 30-16.
Final thoughts from 12th Man Rising
The Seahawks should win this game. The problem over this past decade is that, even though Seattle has been mostly very good, is that they keep many games close, win or lose. On paper, they are the better team than Cincinnati. But games aren’t played on paper because that would be weird.
Can Russell Wilson throw enough completions to so many unproven receivers? Will Ansah and/or Clowney be good in 2019 and also stay healthy? How good is Seattle’s secondary really? A lot of the answers to these questions will begin to be learned on Sunday.
No matter, I would like to thank Steve Rivera for taking time out to answer these five questions and giving honest answers. Whichever team wins the game on Sunday will have a struggle to win their division in 2019. Maybe the Seahawks are closer than the Bengals. If they are, a win on Sunday is an absolute must.