We expect these teams to have contrasting seasons this year, as we think that the Redskins are darkhorse Super Bowl candidates while the Bengals will regress after overachieving last season.
It certainly does not help Cincinnati that its players have had trouble with the law all offseason, and that Carson Palmer is not close to being ready after tearing both his ACL and MCL in the playoffs last year. They may regret letting Jon Kitna get away as the only other quarterbacks on the roster now are Anthony Wright, Doug Johnson and rookie Erik Meyer. This could put added pressure on Rudi Johnson as defenses concentrate more on the run, and it may also cut into the numbers of receiver Chad Johnson.
Washington has one of the best defenses in football, even with the loss of LaVar Arrington to the Giants. This team ranked ninth defensively in the NFL in total yards allowed last year, and the Skins used their first pick in the second round of the draft to address the linebacking hole vacated by Arrington by tabbing Rocky McIntosh of the Miami Hurricanes.
The Redskins have some nice depth at the offensive skill positions as well with Ladell Betts backing up running back Clinton Portis and Antwaan Randle El nicely complimenting wide receiver Santana Moss. This depth will come in handy in the second half here vs. the weaker Cincinnati reserves.
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