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Cincinnati Bengals: Who Is the Team MVP In 2016?

In their first losing season since 2010, the Cincinnati Bengals found success in a free-agent wide receiver who wasn’t expected to produce.

2016 has not gone how the Cincinnati Bengals would have liked. Heading into their sixth regular-season finale against Baltimore in the last seven years, Cincinnati is at risk of losing double-digit games for just the third time in the Marvin Lewis era.

But who has been the team’s bright spot? In a year where they’ve gone 1-6-1 in games decided by one possession, it could be difficult to find an MVP.

In 2015, it had to be Andy Dalton. Coming off his worst statistical year in ’14, he was in the MVP talk. Especially after the Bengals rallied off eight straight wins to begin the campaign.

The year before, it was Jeremy Hill. With a plethora of offensive injuries, the rookie running back tallied five 100-yard games as the cheap nfl jerseys Bengals went 7-3 down the stretch to make the playoffs.

In cheap jerseys china 2016, it’s first-year Bengal Brandon LaFell.

Well-deserved accolade

MORE FROM STRIPE HYPE Who Dey Notes: Bengals’ Carlos Dunlap, Burkhead Is A Patriot4h ago Bengals’ Moves Resemble A Team In Reboot Mode11h ago Nice To Have Andy Dalton Around For The 2017 Season2d ago Bengals v. Browns: Battle Of Ohio Primed For Competitiveness2d ago Bengals Giving Fans The Same Old Story3d ago In his final season of a two-year stint with New England, LaFell only played in 11 games. He didn’t reach the end zone for the first time in his career and had the lowest amount of yards (515) since his rookie year with Carolina in 2010.

When he signed with Cincinnati on March 30th, his biggest knock was actually catching the football. In his first game with the Patriots last season after being activated off the PUP list, he dropped six passes in a 30-23 win over the Jets.

The Patriots cut ties with LaFell on March 2nd. But he was only cheap jerseys from china on the market for four weeks before the Bengals scooped him up. After losing Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones to free agency, Cincinnati turned to LaFell with hopes he could compliment A.J. Green as a number 2 wide out.

After hauling wholesale jerseys in four receptions for 91 yards in his debut against the Jets in week 1, LaFell has earned the one-year, $2.5-million dollar contract he signed.

Top priority

LaFell turned 30-years-old in November but has stayed healthy all season. In 15 games, he leads the Bengals with six touchdowns and his wholesale jerseys china 795 yards is the second-highest total of his career. The “butterfinger” status he brought to the Queen City has disappeared, too. On 96 targets, he’s dropped just one pass.

His 86-yarder against Houston is the second-longest reception in the AFC this season. His 13.9 yards per catch is 16th in the conference, but only five of the 15 receivers (T.Y. Hilton, Tyrell cheap jerseys Williams, Green, Mike Wallace, Amari Cooper) have more receptions.

Of the Bengals’ six offensive free agents in 2017, LaFell should be a top priority.

NEXT: When Does The Madness End? Along with Tyler Boyd, LaFell has built a connection with Dalton and meshed well in his first season along the Ohio River.

A 2017 receiving corps of Green, Boyd, LaFell, and Eifert would be strong enough for Cincinnati to revert back to a playoff-caliber unit.

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Andy Dalton Eyes Own Franchise Record In Season Finale

Andy Dalton has been steady. The sixth-year quarterback has quietly put together a very solid 2016 season with a relatively new cheap jerseys from china cast.

Coming into 2016, no one knew what to expect from Bengals’ quarterback Andy Dalton. The last cheap jerseys china time he was on the field, an injured thumb cost him a shot at playoff redemption.

In the wholesale jerseys offseason, the most interesting thing to happen with Dalton was a frantic search for his lost luggage four days after the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50. One month later, he watched two of his receivers, Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, leave Cincinnati for bigger cheap nfl jerseyscontracts in Detroit and Atlanta, respectively.

So when the 2016 regular season rolled around, who was he to throw to? A.J. Green was the cheap jerseys only familiar name in the lineup with Tyler Eifert starting the season on the IR. Despite being sacked a career-high seven times against the Jets in week one, the Red Rifle completed all four of his passes for 33 yards on the Bengals’ final drive, setting up a game-winning field goal that lifted Cincinnati to a 23-22 win.

Fast forward 16 weeks from that opening-day win. The Bengals are 5-9-1 and were officially eliminated from postseason contention on Dec. 18th. Cincinnati hosts Baltimore on New Year’s Day in a game wholesale jerseys china that will end disappointing campaigns for both teams.

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Does Bengals-Ravens Still Have Any Meaning?

The Bengals and Ravens aren’t playing for postseason berths or the AFC North crown. What could inspire them to battle on Sunday?

Week 17 wasn’t supposed to be this way. The bill of sale given to the city of Cincinnati by Marvin Lewis and the Bengals was filled with promise and hope. Instead, fans will be watching a meaningless battle between two teams headed nowhere for the year. After losing a down-to-the-wire battle with Pittsburgh, the Ravens are out of the postseason. The Bengals collected their couch tickets against the same team. Is there anything to look forward to?

Bengals faithful saw a year that started out shaky get even worse. Ravens fans were teased with a start that suddenly had them thinking AFC North crown and comeback of the year. Sunday’s afternoon clash at Paul Brown Stadium could show what both franchises are made of. Playing for nothing can bring out the true anger and determination in players and coaches. Wait…do Bengals coaches get angry?

The First Encounter

Earlier in the year, Baltimore seemingly avenged their streak of losses against the Bengals. Week 12 was a close game that should have been won by the beloved Bengals. But, without A.J. Green ( codename: The Ravens Killer), Cincinnati’s offense looked one-dimensional and predictable. Tyler Eifert and Tyler Boyd (codename: Double Trouble) had a decent game against the Ravens D.

MORE FROM STRIPE HYPE Who Dey Notes: Bengals’ Carlos Dunlap, Burkhead Is A Patriot4h ago Bengals’ Moves Resemble A Team In Reboot Mode11h ago Nice To Have Andy Dalton Around For The 2017 Season2d ago Bengals v. Browns: Battle Of Ohio Primed For Competitiveness2d ago Bengals Giving Fans The Same Old Story3d ago Andy Dalton had respectable numbers but couldn’t rally the troops when necessary. Truthfully, Dalton was saddled with the play calling of Ken Zampese. There hasn’t been the chemistry that analysts thought would surface between the two. Maybe that’s something that could be motivation. If Zampese and Dalton can develop a Vulcan Mind Meld, the finale could be something to behold. But, that isn’t going to happen.

What fans will see is a Bengals’ O-line that is struggling to find itself. With the musical chairs number still intact, Dalton will be running for his life again. If not, he’ll get sacked at the worst possible time.

Evening the season series would be a good thing to see cheap jerseys from china and a kickoff to a productive offseason. But, getting that wish granted would be akin to the disappointment of Christmas Eve in Houston.

Oh wait…revenge for the wacky holding play at the end of the game. That could do it.

Get A Good Look At cheap nfl jerseys The Youngsters

This is the time to see what the toys can do. Nick Vigil played well in the nickel package when things got shifted in Vontaze Burfict’s absence. Cody Core saw action on 62% of the snaps and looked sharp. With Green out, Dalton has been forced wholesale jerseys to develop chemistry with the other burners.

The biggest mystery of the year has to be Cedric Ogbuehi. Chances are, he’ll make his second start at left tackle and get some more on-the-job training. He feels that outside the two sacks he surrendered against the Texans he played a good game.

“They gave us different wholesale jerseys china looks. Besides a few dumb plays, I thought we handled it well.”

The “we” has to be in reference to teammate Jake Fisher. However, Pro Football Focus gave them both below average grades for their performances. The disappointment has been real from both players.

T-Rex

Rex Burkhead is not a youngster but he needs to get more snaps. The Bengals running game has been almost invisible at times. One can only imagine what may have transpired if Zampese would have had a more balanced attack. Burkhead is a coordinator’s dream. He’s speedy, has good vision and decent hands coming out of the backfield. The problem? He doesn’t get much use. Giving him a few more carries against the Ravens couldn’t hurt…the season is over.

The Pride Factor

Lewis’ team didn’t give up on cheap jerseys Christmas Eve but they didn’t come out with guns blazing either. In the past three weeks, the Bengals have been a team of one-half. After coming out with fire they fizzle. When they come out cold, they try to heat it up. The season finale will be a test of Marvin Lewis’ ability to still rally the troops. There are tons of injuries, no playoffs to spur them on, and there’s definitely no playing for home field advantage.

NEXT: Dalton Eyes Record So, does Bengals-Ravens have any meaning? Depends on what the fans want. If you’re a homer, you’re looking for cheap jerseys china that W. A realist? Well. it’s all about that coveted draft pick. Let’s not forget the desire to finish without 10 losses. Either way, there’s enough meaning to go around.

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Steve Smith Sr. Will End Career In Cincinnati On Sunday

Sunday’s matchup between the Ravens and Bengals will cheap jerseys be the final game for Baltimore wide receiver Steve Smith Sr.

There were cheap nfl jerseys 47 seconds left in the game.

The Bengals led the visiting Baltimore Ravens, 27-24, after a go-ahead touchdown run by Andy Dalton. Pinned at his own 20-yard line, Joe Flacco eluded a four-man rush and heaved a desperation pass down the field. Coming back to the ball was Steve Smith Sr., who made the catch, then raced into the end zone for the game-winning 80-yard score.

The play was called back for pass interference on Smith, who was flagged for pushing off Bengals’ safety George Illoka. Two plays later, Cincinnati stopped the Ravens on downs to secure a momentous victory after being outscored, 107-54, over a four-week winless streak prior to the matchup.

After giving the Bengals a major scare that day, Smith will return to Paul Brown Stadium for the first time since that thrilling day along the Ohio River. After this game, however, the 16-year veteran will hang up his cleats for wholesale jerseys china good.

Exactly one year since he announced he would return for another season, Smith, referencing the jersey number he has worn since being drafted 74th overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2001 NFL Draft, said he is “89 percent sure” that New Year’s Day in the Queen City will be his final game, wrapping up a career that will certainly earn him a Hall of Fame jacket.

Big beginnings cheap jerseys china

Smith was put on the map during the 2003 postseason. After his first 1,000-yard season, he capped off the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs with a 69-yard touchdown reception to defeat the St. Louis Rams in overtime. In the Super Bowl a few weeks later, he caught a 39-yard touchdown from Jake Delhomme in an eventual loss to the New England Patriots.

A then 24-year-old Smith would never get closer to winning a Lombardi Trophy.

He broke his leg in the 2004 season-opener and missed the rest of the year. Then, in 2005, his Panthers lost in the NFC Championship Game to Seattle. Carolina would go one-and-done in 2008 and 2013, spelling the end of Smith’s days in Charlotte.

One day after the Panthers cut him, cheap jerseys from china Baltimore scooped up the veteran wide out on a three-year, $15 million contract. If you ask around the 410 area code, Ravens’ faithful would say that Smith has earned every penny.

Thorn in the Bengals’ rose

In three seasons, he’s tallied 192 receptions for 2,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. And, speaking for most of Who Dey Nation, Cincinnati won’t miss him.

MORE FROM STRIPE HYPE Who Dey Notes: Bengals’ Carlos Dunlap, Burkhead Is A Patriot4h ago Bengals’ Moves Resemble A Team In Reboot Mode11h ago 3 Ways The Bengals Can Fix The Running Game1 d ago Nice To Have Andy Dalton Around For The 2017 Season2d ago Bengals v. Browns: Battle Of Ohio Primed For Competitiveness2d ago Over 16 years, Smith has had a knack of torching the Bengals’ secondary. Starting with his first game against Cincinnati in December 2002 when he caught five passes for 144 yards and a touchdown in a 52-31 Panthers’ win during the Bengals’ worst season in franchise history (2-14).

Smith’s stint with Baltimore started with a 118-yard performance against the Bengals. Including a go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown where he manhandled Adam Jones at the goal line.

On Nov. 20th this season in Dallas, Smith became the 14th player in league history to record 1,000 catches. He ranks 7th all-time in receiving yards (14,967) and 12th in receptions (1,028). He’s already in good company with his numbers. Smith and Hall of Famer Tim Brown are the only two players in NFL history with 13,000-plus receiving yards and over 4,000 return yards.

“I’m trying to get to Sunday without crying like a little kid,” Smith told ESPN. No matter how much he wants to freeze time, Sunday will come. wholesale jerseys

NEXT: Bengals-Ravens: Does it Still Have Meaning? It will bring the start of a new year and the end to a Canton-worthy career.

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Cincinnati Bengals Look Linebacker in First Round NFL Mock

The NFL’s focus will turn cheap jerseys to playoffs after this week, but for the Cincinnati Bengals and others, their wholesale jerseys china focus will turn to the off season and next year’s NFL Draft.

There are still a few draft places to cheap jerseys from china decide in week 17, however cheap nfl jerseys one thing is for sure, every team will have needs come draft time.

1MYLES GARRETTDefensive End, Texas A&M The Cleveland Browns are in desperate need of stopping someone. Myles Garrett is coming off of a dominate junior year and is looking to take it to the next level. His eight sacks, 15 tackles for a loss, and two forced fumbles cap a dominate college career. 2MITCH TRUBISKYQuarterback, North Carolina The San Francisco 49ers are in desperate need of an offensive leader. Colin Kaepernick is officially a bust and Blaine Gabert or Christian Ponder are answers. Mitch Trubisky only gave away four balls on interceptions and threw for 28 touchdowns. He led a few memorable comebacks, the biggest against the University of Pittsburgh cheap jerseys china this season, and the 49ers need someone to revive this offense. 3JONATHAN ALLENDefensive End, Alabama The Bears have a running back, they need a quarterback, but more than anything, they need to stop somebody. Jonathan Allen brings the edge rush to a new level and has succeeded in one of the most difficult conferences in college football. He could help the Bears get to the quarterback and finally win games. 4DESHONE KIZERQuarterback, Notre Dame Blake Bortles had Allen Hurns, had Allen Robinson, and had T.J. Yeldon and did absolutely nothing. He wholesale jerseys has had three years and has done only minor steps in the right direction and with the talent around him, under performed. Kizer will bring a fresh look to this offense while the talent is still in place. 5MARLON HUMPHERYCornerback, Alabama Titans from L.A. Rams: Marlon Humphery is a talented corner that could add the speed and length to stop guys like DeAndre Hopkins or Will Fuller. The have the offense to win and they will start to piece the defense to compete for the division in 2017.