For the Bengals, now is the time to win

The Cincinnati Bengals have been moving in the right direction since 2009. Marvin Lewis and his staff have drafted well over the past four years and, as usual, team owner Paul Brown hasn't gone out and over paid for free agents. Instead, he's made it a priority to sign his young impact players to contract extensions. Cinci has lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. In my opinion, the Bengals are currently the best team in the AFC North, at least on paper. The Browns aren't a threat. The Steelers, never to be taken lightly, have lost more than they've gained this year and still have a number of holes to fill on their roster. The Ravens won the Super Bowl last season and while GM Ozzie Newsome proved why he's the best in the business with another stellar offseason, the void left behind from the departure of future Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed can't be filled with two rookies. The Bengals are in prime position to win their division and if they do so, they have to make it out of the first round of the playoffs; a feat the team hasn't accomplished since 1990.

With no key losses this off season the defense should rank among the best in league once again. They drafted a physical freak in Margus Hunt and add him to an already impressive defensive line. And rookie Shawn Williams should beat out the under-achiever Taylor Mays to make a formidable safety duo with Reggie Nelson. Meanwhile, they've given quarterback Andy Dalton more weapons on offense. Selecting tight end Tyler Eifert in the first round this year gives him a pass catching machine who can lineup anywhere on field. He's a red zone threat and will be Dalton's safety blanket from day one. Rookie running back Giovanni Bernard is an excellent complement to "The Law Firm" Benjarvus Green-Ellis and also provides value on special teams. And to cap it off the team re-signed right tackle Andre Smith to continue to protect Dalton. This ball club is young and talented and 2013 presents a great opportunity. Marvin Lewis's group needs to capitalize and I think they will.