CINCINNATI -- The start of the 2015 season is still five months away, but that doesn't mean we can't begin breaking down the Cincinnati Bengals' schedule.
The NFL's schedule hasn't been released yet, so we won't know the Bengals' official kickoff times and dates until sometime later this month. But we do know who they will be playing and where.
We've been examining each of those opponents in this really early series. Up next, the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks:
2014 record: 12-4
2014 finish: NFC champions; lost the Super Bowl to New England
Key losses: OT James Carpenter, TE Zach Miller, DB Byron Maxwell, TE Tony Moeaki, LB Malcolm Smith, WR Bryan Walters, C Max Unger
Key additions: LB Mister Alexander, DB Will Blackmon, DT Ahtyba Rubin, DB Cary Williams, TE Jimmy Graham
Series history: Bengals lead, 10-9 (includes a playoff win)
Last time vs. Bengals: Cincinnati won 34-12 at CenturyLink Field on Oct. 30, 2011
Really early scouting report: Although the Bengals won the teams' last meeting in Seattle four seasons ago, they still should be glad to know they'll be hosting the Seahawks this time around. As Seattle's 73-31 regular-season home record since CenturyLink Field opened in 2002 indicates, the Seahawks are pretty good in their own facility. Couple their success with the noise records that are regularly made by their raucous fans, and you get a better appreciation for how difficult it is for opposing teams to win there.
In addition to the venue being different this time around, the Bengals also will be facing quarterback Russell Wilson for the first time. In the previous meeting Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst played quarterback for the Seahawks. Since that game, Wilson has been to the Super Bowl twice, winning it once. A truly mobile signal-caller, Wilson has a measure of athleticism and elusiveness that few other quarterbacks do. That's why solid play from the Bengals' defensive ends and outside linebackers will be paramount. Players at those positions will need to do their best at sealing the edges and containing Wilson in the pocket, forcing him to move into the middle of the field where, presumably, an interior lineman like Geno Atkins will be able to cut off running lanes from there.
What also makes the Seahawks' offense so effective is the physicality with which running back Marshawn Lynch runs. And with the added dimension of TE Graham, Wilson has a little extra play-making help. The good news for Cincinnati, though, is that its defense handled Graham well last season when the Bengals played for New Orleans. After taking a hard early shot from safety George Iloka, Graham went on to only catch three passes for 29 yards.
Although they lost a few familiar faces like Maxwell and Smith, the Seahawks' defense still can be a nightmare to negotiate. Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor anchor the formidable back end of a defensive unit that ranked first last season (also No. 1 vs. the pass, No. 3 vs. the run). Andy Dalton certainly could have his hands full completing passes on this secondary. A ground-heavy attack could be in the cards for Cincinnati's offense when this game arrives.