The Cincinnati Bengals will play their 39th season for the team, the 41st season if you count the days leading up to the NFL. His record in 2007 amounted to a dismal 7-9 win-loss score. The Cincinnati Bengals have never won an NFL championship, though they did score conference championships in 1981 and 1988. Additionally, the team won division titles for the AFC Central in 1970, 1973, 1981, 1988 and 1990, while winning the championship AFC division championship in 2005. Victory isn’t impossible for the Bengals, though it has eluded them for quite some time. What is to blame for the team’s losing streak? It could well be the result of intense competition, as the Bengals face one of the toughest playing schedules of any NFL team. In 2008 they will face the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and last year’s Super Bowl winner New York. Giants.

As far as coaching goes, things remain status quo, at least as far as the direction of head coach Marvin Lewis is concerned. This is Lewis’s fifth year with the Bengals. Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski has also stayed with the team. The only factor that determined Bengals owner Mike Brown was that the team’s defense was weak. Thus, defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan is out, who is soon replaced by Mike Zimmer. Linebackers coach Ricky Hunley was also replaced by Jeff FitzGerald. The interesting thing about the Bengals is that their coach usually plans a theme about the upcoming season. The 2008 theme for the Cincinnati Bengals is “Now.” It’s about time the Bengals started winning! The idea of ​​the theme must be very popular and apparently is the saving grace of coach Marvin Lewis.

What about departures that will affect the team in 2008? The team lost safety Madieu Williams to the Minnesota Vikings, along with defensive end Justin Smith, who found greener pastures with the San Francisco 49ers, and linebacker Landon Johnson, who signed with the Carolina Panthers. Additionally, the team lost David Pollack, who officially retired due to a major injury. The team also lost two players to off-field controversies. Chris Henry was released after news broke of his alleged involvement in an assault case in the city of Cincinnati. Odell Thurman was also suspended for two consecutive years after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, although he was reinstated last May.

How about some signings that could bring good news to the Bengals in 2008? The team has acquired the talents of Ben Utecht, a tight end with the Indianapolis Colts, Antwan Odom, a defensive end with the Tennessee Titans and Doug Gabriel, a wide receiver with the Oakland Raiders.

What about Chad Johnson? Chad Johnson has enjoyed better stats than a typical wide receiver and is a force to be reckoned with. This may explain why he switched agents and is now represented by Drew Rosenhaus. Currently, it is rumored that he may opt out of the upcoming training camp with the Bengals or even all of next season if he is not traded. Apparently, Johnson was upset with some comments made by coach Marvin Lewis months ago.

What can you say except that the Cincinnati Bengals face an uphill battle next season?