2013 Record: 11-5

2014 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 9.5

2014 Season Win Total Prediction: 'Under'

From 1991 to 2004 the Cincinnati Bengals failed to produce a winning record or a playoff berth. But last year's 11-win campaign marked the third straight year with nine or more wins, and the fourth time in five years, for this one moribund franchise. They are clearly no longer league doormats and instead enter the season with heightened expectations.

Cincinnati is finding out now that success breeds poachers. They lost some key players to free agency this winter, though nothing irreplaceable. The more damaging departures could be that of two crucial members of the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden (Washington) and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer (Minnesota) each accepted head coaching gigs.

On the field, the core of this team is intact and they have one of the deepest and most athletic rosters in the AFC.

One storyline that may have a big impact on Cincinnati's season involves Andy Dalton. After three straight horrific postseason appearances there are a lot of voices, both inside and outside the Bengals organization, wondering if he is good enough to get this team to the next level. If he struggles for stretches this season that could become a major distraction in the locker room.

This year the Bengals will play three straight, and six of eight games, on their home turf and that should help them get of to a strong start. That eight-game stretch ends with a Sunday-Thursday week that has them hosting lowly Jacksonville and Cleveland. Yet that soft spot is balanced with five of seven games on the road to end the season. And road trips to New England, Indianapolis and New Orleans will be extremely challenging.

I have few problems with this team. But I think Zimmer and Gruden are key losses. This team has a bad taste in its mouth after another early playoff defeat. And if they do start slowly the muscle memory from two decades of losing could start to kick in. I think the Bengals surprise a lot of people with a poor campaign and I'd would go against the public and wager 'under'.

Bengals Regular Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 7, at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21, Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Week 4: Bye week

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 5, at New England, 8:30 p.m.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 12, Carolina, 1 p.m.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19, at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 2, Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 6, Cleveland, 8:25 p.m.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 16, at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, at Houston, 1 p.m.

Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 7, Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14, at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Week 16: Monday, Dec. 22, Denver, 8:30 p.m.

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

Robert will be releasing his 2014 NFL Futures Predictions on Thursday, Aug. 14. Last year's top two picks (8-Unit Play on Arizona 'over' 5.5 wins and 6-Unit Play on Kansas City over 7.0 wins) both won easily and he has hit his top NFL Futures Play (rated 7.0 or higher) in four straight seasons. For more information visit his Insider's Page HERE.

Robert Ferringo is one of the best NFL handicappers in the world and is coming off one of the best football betting seasons in the 43-year history of Doc's Sports. Robert banked nearly $8,000 in profit for his football clients and won a stunning 62.1 percent of his NFL plays (95-58). Robert has won over 70 percent of his last 58 NFL side plays (41-17) and has posted six of seven winning NFL seasons. He has banked $17,400 in football profit, college and pro, over the last 20 months and he is excited about building on his staggering resume. Take advantage of our free, no-strings-attached $60 credit to use toward a purchase of Robert's football selections. You cannot afford to miss out on this great offer - click here.

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