The Cincinnati Bengals were so close in 2015 to finally winning a game in the NFL Playoffs but once again fell short. 2016, however, will tell a different story thanks to quarterback Andy Dalton.

When it comes to the Cincinnati Bengals, one has to go back all the way to 1991 to remember the last time they won an NFL Playoff game. It’s a drought that undoubtedly sends fans into a deep sadness since their team shows so much promise and execution during the regular season but when it matters most, gets sent home packing in disbelief.

Things are different heading into the upcoming season. Despite their playoff loss last year to the Pittsburgh Steelers, if it weren’t for the unfortunate thumb injury to quarterback Andy Dalton, he would have broken their playoff curse.

The Bengals are loaded with top talent all across the team, and this will be the year that everything comes together and they make some serious noise in the AFC North. It’s always been a tough decision but make no mistake about it, they will once again be the team to beat in 2016.

With a top-notch defense and an offense that consistently keeps those chains moving, the Bengals have everything necessary to finally put up another season that not only gets them into the playoffs but actually has them advancing.

The Bengals have made the playoffs for the past five consecutive seasons, and with a new offensive coordinator in town, Dalton will have his best season yet and be the main catalyst to end this playoff drought.

Thanks to offensive coordinator Ken Zampese, the Bengals’ offense has the foundation to produce a breakout season for Dalton and his partners in crime.

For the past 13 years, Zampese was the quarterbacks coach for the Bengals and has worked extensively with Dalton throughout his career.

The overall offensive playbook of the Bengals will remain intact but it’s just a matter of everything coming together as it absolutely will in 2016. Enough is enough in the grand scheme of things as if fans are enraged at this playoff drought, imagine how the players feel?

They want to end this curse as bad as they want to win a championship for their city. Since the NFL is a majority a passing league, Dalton has consistently been up there with the best of them. He’s a touchdown machine that makes everyone around him better and now with Zampese as his new coordinator, it’s a seamless transition for him as the time is now to deliver a season for the ages.

With solid talent all across offense and a huge chip on his shoulder, many feel Dalton just doesn’t have what it takes to be considered an elite quarterback. Whether it was choking with everything on the line or his inconsistency during key points late in football games, he knows the window of opportunity is only getting closer to coming to an end.

Overall, Dalton holds the final piece of the puzzle. If he can replicate his vintage self of producing big numbers like he did just a few years ago, he has everything that it takes to end this curse and ride the momentum straight through to a Super Bowl appearance. It won’t be easy, but Dalton has the leadership and experience to lead his team to heights one can only dream of.