14. Cincinnati Bengals
Injuries have turned a once intimidating Bengals defense into a weak one whose soft play has lost the Bengals playoff games and division battles. Quarterback Andy Dalton needs to find a way to be productive this season after putting up a TD to INT ratio last year of 19-17. Running back Jeremy Hill looks to continue where he left off following his breakout year last season, rushing for 1,124 yards and 9 touchdowns.
After being ruled out of three games last year, star wide receiver A.J. Green looks to have another productive year after putting up 1,041 receiving yards last year for 6 touchdowns. Offseason arrivals of AJ Hawk, Michael Johnson and Pat Sims will help a Bengals defense that finished 22nd in yards allowed per game.
13. Houston Texans
If Arian Foster can stay healthy this year, the Texans could be in a great situation coming into the 2015 season. After rushing for nearly 1,600 scrimmage yards, however, we were once again left wondering what could’ve been after he missed three games with a hamstring injury.
The Texans are still without a franchise quarterback, or even a confirmed starting quarterback, but quarterbacks Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer who have competed against each other before in New England, will each try to be week 1 starters in a tight position battle this summer.
J.J. Watt will once again lead one of the NFL’s best defenses. The 26 year old defensive end is the first player in NFL history to twice reach 20 sacks in one season. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney who missed last season due to injury and new defensive tackle Vince Wilfork from New England will try to lead this defense to first in the NFL once again.
