In the weeks leading up to training camp, we will take a look back at a few of the most pivotal seasons in Bengals history. Here's a look back at Paul Brown's final season as head coach and the Bengals best season up to that point, 1975.
Season Summary
Led by QB Ken Anderson, the Bengals rattled off six straight victories to start what would turn out to be Paul Brown's final season as head coach. Cincinnati opened up the season at Riverfront Stadium, defeating the Cleveland Browns 24-17.
Anderson's potent offensive attack took down the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and AFC Central rival Houston Oilers on the way to an unbeaten start. The team's defense showed up as well, allowing just 11.6 points per game during the winning streak.
The Bengals stayed unbeaten until November, where they dropped their first game of the season to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 30-24. After falling to 8-2 with a loss to Cleveland, the Bengals needed a strong end to the year to make the playoffs. Anderson was injured in the Browns' loss, meaning backup John Reaves would start in a pivotal game against the Oilers. Under a rainy Cincinnati sky, Reaves led a fourth-quarter drive to clinch the 23-19 win.
Cincinnati finished the season with an 11-3 record, the team's highest winning percentage in history (.786). However, Cincinnati qualified as the AFC Wild Card team since the AFC Central crown went to the Steelers, who finished 12-2 and would go on to win Super Bowl X.
Cincinnati traveled to Oakland for the Wild Card playoffs. Falling behind 31-14 early, the Bengals rallied to score 14 straight points, as Anderson found WRs Charlie Joiner and Isaac Curtis for scores. A fumble recovery by DT Ron Carpenter gave the Bengals the ball on the Oakland 38-yard line with 4:19 left. Cincinnati failed to get a first down, though, and it fell to Oakland 31-28. Raiders QB Ken Stabler tossed three touchdowns for a 121.2 passer rating in the victory, while Anderson threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns.
Notables
Anderson won his second of four passing titles in 1975, leading the league with 3,169 yards through the air and a 93.9 passer rating. Anderson was also named the Dodge NFL Man of the Year, an award reflecting both athletic and civic achievement.
Using presnap motion to avoid double teams and create confusion for the defense, WR Isaac Curtis finished second in the NFL with 934 receiving yards, and he led the league with 21.2 yards per reception. Curtis, Anderson and CB Lemar Parrish would be named to the 1975 Pro Bowl.
The defense set a franchise record with 22 fumble recoveries per game, and the team's yards per game differential (+81.2, 361.4 on offense vs. 280.2 on defense) also stands as a franchise record. The defensive line, led by second-year DT Bill Kollar and DE Sherman White, finished the season with 25 sacks. On the back end, CB Ken Reily led the Bengals with six interceptions, and the team finished second in the league against the pass, allowing 123.5 passing yards per game.
The last player from the 1968 expansion draft, G Pat Matson, was traded early in the season on Sept. 10.
Brown made franchise history before the season began, hiring Kim Wood as the team's first strength coach, who would hold the position through 2002. Brown would name offensive line coach Bill Johnson as the team's next head coach at the conclusion of the 1975 season.
