Bengals bring balanced attack to AFC North

Last year, the Cincinnati Bengals became the first team in NFL history to lose four straight first-round playoff games. This season, the Bengals have an offence with more weapons than ever before, but can Andy Dalton make the most of them and save Marvin Lewis' job?

Offensive Breakdown

Air and Ground?

The Cincinnati Bengals suffered several key injuries to their offence in 2014, which led to slowed production in their passing game.

Wide receiver Marvin Jones and tight end Tyler Eifert combined to play in just one game, while star receiver A.J. Green missed three games and the Bengals’ Wild Card matchup.

Now, the Bengals enter the season with their skill corps at full health and Andy Dalton could be poised for a career year.

Stepping in Jones, and at times Green, Mohamed Sanu posted a career-high 790 yards last season. Though Sanu may see his production dip in 2015, the Bengals will now be able to field a strong three-wide receiver set, with Eifert offering a vertical threat from the tight end position.

Eifert was set to take over the team’s starter last year before his season was lost to an elbow injury. Instead, Jermaine Gresham retained his starting role. While seeing limited action, Eifert received for 445 yards as a rookie and is a candidate for a breakout year as a go-to option for Andy Dalton.

Despite the return of Jones and Eifert, the Bengals will likely remain a run-first team under offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. Leading that attack will be the one-two punch of Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard.

As a rookie, Hill ran 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns in 2014. Bernard, his smaller, quicker, changeup back, rushed for 680 yards and five touchdowns in his second NFL season. The two also combined to add 664 receiving yards.

With more weapons than ever at his disposable, Dalton should be able to improve upon his 19:17 touchdown to interception ratio and, perhaps, finally end his postseason win drought.

Player to watch: Mohamed Sanu

Sanu’s versatile enough to lineup at any wide receiver position or in the backfield for the Bengals. With Jones back from the foot injury that sidelined him for all of 2014, the Bengals will be free to use Sanu in a similar style to that of Randall Cobb of the Green Bay Packers. Sanu’s versatility makes him an X-factor for the Bengals and he should benefit from a variety of looks.

Cause for concern: Andy Dalton

The Bengals appear to be flush with talent on offence, all the way down their offensive line. Yet, this team - despite a strong rushing attack - will only go as far as Dalton can take them. If he can cut down on his interceptions – 37 across his past 32 games – the Bengals will benefit greatly. If not, the Bengals may be forced to look elsewhere at the position.