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NFL Cincinnati Bengals

5 Things the Cincinnati Bengals Should Be Thankful For

5 Things the Cincinnati Bengals Should Be Thankful For

Andy Dalton Cincinnati Bengals
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals stand atop the AFC North (barely) at 7-3-1 entering Week 13. It’s been a roller coaster of a season, characterized by a three-game win streak followed by a three-game winless stretch. Even though their record should be better, the Bengals are fortunate to be where they are; here are five things they should be thankful for.

5. Young Talent At Running Back

Jeremy Hill Cincinnati Bengals
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

5. Young Talent At Running Back

Jeremy Hill Cincinnati Bengals
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The duo of sophomore pro Giovani Bernard and newcomer Jeremy Hill has produced 1,134 yards and 11 touchdowns in 11 eleven games. Hill has overcome the odds and is actually the main man in the Bengals’ backfield. Andy Dalton may be a wild card on a weekly basis, but you can count on this sixth-ranked ground game to produce well.

4. The Resurgence of A.J. Green

A.J. Green Cincinnati Bengals
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

4. The Resurgence of A.J. Green

A.J. Green Cincinnati Bengals
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Green didn’t do much in his first few games back from injury, catching just six balls for only 67 yards against the Jaguars and Browns. But he has since exploded in consecutive weeks, racking up 248 yards on 18 catches. During Green’s absence, Mohamed Sanu grew into his own -- now the Bengals have a pair of formidable wide receivers.

3. Tying the Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton Carolina Panthers
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

3. Tying the Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton Carolina Panthers
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Back in Week 6, the Bengals and Panthers couldn’t sort it out in regulation. Or overtime. A tie is never fun for both parties involved, but the fact remains that the Bengals are currently atop the AFC North because of the boost in win percentage that resulted from the non-loss. That quirky record could be all the difference between the field and the couch come January.

2. End of Long Road Trip Nearing

Carlos Dunlap Cincinnati Bengals
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

2. End of Long Road Trip Nearing

Carlos Dunlap Cincinnati Bengals
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals have been accumulating the flying miles this month. In Week 11, they went down to New Orleans, then tacked over to Houston, and now they skirt back east to play the Buccaneers this Sunday. Winning all three games in this stretch would go a long way toward securing the AFC North crown; for now, the Bengals should be glad that this rough road stretch is almost over.

1. Active Secondary

George Iloka Cincinnati Bengals
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

1. Active Secondary

George Iloka Cincinnati Bengals
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Of the top 36 pass-defending defensive backs, four are Cincinnati Bengals. The collective effort of Reggie Nelson (8 PD), George Iloka (9 PD), Terence Newman (9 PD), and Adam Jones (10 PD) is a big reason why the Bengals are 3-1 in November—the secondary is allowing only 222 yards passing per game this month. That’s no small feat in today’s passing-happy NFL.

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