Bengals think they've added enough playmakers to get them deep into playoffs

Cincinnati Bengals first round draft pick Tyler Eifert, a tight end out of Notre Dame, holds the jersey he will wear for the NFL football team with head coach Marvin Lewis, Friday, April 26, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) (The Associated Press)

Cincinnati Bengals first round draft pick Tyler Eifert, a tight end out of Notre Dame, answers questions during a news conference at the NFL football team's stadium, Friday, April 26, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) (The Associated Press)

By drafting a tight end with sure hands and a running back with a knack for catching passes, the Bengals think they've given their offense what it's most lacking.

Cincinnati took tight end Tyler Eifert in the first round and running back Giovani Bernard in the second. Their top two draft picks were dedicated to giving the offense more playmakers.

That's where they were lacking last year, when they reached the playoffs as a wild card for the second straight season. They wound up losing to Houston in the first round for the second straight season as well. Nobody aside from receiver A.J. Green was consistently productive in the big games.

Quarterback Andy Dalton says there shouldn't be any excuses this season.

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