SB Nation - Corey Dillon

Game Recap: Dolphins defeat Patriots, 22-21

MaPatsFan — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:50:26 -0000

More photos » by Lynne Sladky - AP

18 days ago: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits on the bench in the closing minutes of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. The Dolphins won 22-21. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Browse more photos »

Let's see... failure to convert in the RedZone...check. Failure to finish (ie: consistently score in the 2nd half)...check. Defensive backfield getting burned by what was to be considered an average passing offense...check. HoF QB throwing critical interceptions...check.

First, credit where credit is due. Miami did a good job of exploiting the mistakes made by this Patriots team and turning them around to their advantage. Behind most of the game, the Dolphins made big plays when they needed to and turned this game around for Miami. However, I am here to focus on the myriad of "fails" plaguing this New England Patriots team.

I normally can't stand columnist Ron Borges. He's cut from the same cloth as Dan Shaughnessy, which is to say they both hammer away at the team they're covering, claiming "the point everyone is missing...", in order to sound like the smartest guy in the room. I normally can't stand Borges, but in this column, I think he's right:

Years ago, Chuck Fairbanks said it best. "It’s not about X’s and O’s. It’s about Jimmys and Joes." For half a decade with the Pats people believed otherwise. In Bill We Trust became the motto, but does anyone honestly believe Bill Belichick forgot how to coach? A guy who has been watching game film since he was 6 now can’t break down film and discover a team’s weaknesses?

Bill Belichick didn't suddenly become stupid. He didn't wake up one morning with an IQ 50 points lower than what it was the day before. No, as Ron Borges claims, it's not about Belichick (at least, not all of it) but about the onfield talent. I haven't brought this up before, but it's been on my mind for the past few weeks or so: there's just not as many playmakers as there used to be. The players are simply not executing. Is the coaching staff showing them what to do? I would assume so; it's relatively the same staff as in previous years with the obvious exceptions of Scott Pioli and Josh McDaniels.

But if coaching were to be blamed, it would be in the Belichick player acquisition strategy. For years, Belichick has been known as a guy at the top of his game in finding "value" players, at piecing together a team with a sprinkle of seasoned vets as well as using later rounds in the draft to shore up the ranks for the future. But has this turned out to be the best approach for this team? Sure, Randy Moss and Wes Welker were brilliant moves, no question. Fred Taylor? The jury's still out as we need to see more playing time from him. But along with the brilliance have been some big whiffs, ones that have cost us dearly. Joey Galloway, Shawn Springs, Greg Lewis, Derrick Burgess, Adalius Thomas... all were relatively big money acquisitions that left this team digging into the young up-and-comers to fill the gaps.

Look in the past, at the years on the banners hanging at Gillette Stadium. You could name scores of big playmakers. Troy Brown, Corey Dillon, Deion Branch, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Rodney Harrison...all of them ready to step up when it was needed. Who do we have now? Wes Welker, Sebastian Vollmer (when he's playing), Julian Edelman (when he's playing). Who else?

Ok, enough of that. Let's get back to the debacle known as Patriots @ Dolphins. The whole is usually the sum of its parts. There's rarely one part that is the cause of a catastrophic failure. But, like a car, enough blown gaskets can seriously derail the vehicle.

4^th and 1 on Miami 6 - We could argue all day about whether or not to go for it on this 4^th and 1. I get the whole "play to win vs. play not to lose" argument. But I'm conservative. Unless you're about to lose the game if you don't score a touchdown, go for the field goal. But that's not what I consider to be the biggest gaff of that series. Brady hands the ball to Sammy Morris who encounters, guess what, a stacked Miami line. Why Brady didn't hand it off to Laurence Maroney, who was right behind Morris, is beyond. He had more room and could've a) built up a bigger head of steam or b) had a chance to choose another hole. And how about being creative? Maybe fake handoffs to the backs and slip it to Wes on a reverse? Welker can dodge cruise missiles never mind defensive backs.
2^nd and 5 on Miami 5 - With a running game that appears to be doing fairly well, what does Brady do? He tosses a floater to the right-hand corner of the endzone, forcing it to a blanketed Randy Moss. Miami's Vontae Davis makes a great play on a guy who has 5 inches on him and comes down with the pick. What does Randy do? He watches. How about, you know, KNOCKING THE BALL AWAY!!! Put in some effort, Randy.
Chad Henne's 51 yard march - After a failed NE series culminating in a desperate 4^th and 11, Chad Henne marched down the field to put Miami kicker Dan Carpenter in range; Carpenter nailed a 41 yarder to go up by 1. As mentioned above, where were the playmakers? Where were the guys coming up with big stops on defense? Henne did a great job of connecting with is receivers, something our defense couldn't prevent and our own offense couldn't do.
Final Brady interception - This may have aggravated me the most. Chances are it wouldn't have made a difference, but EAT THE BALL!!! Instead, Tom Terrific decides to, I don't know what, and Channing Crowder intercepts. That was not the Tom Brady I've come to "know". That was a desperate, rookie move. I hate to say it, but he looked like Mark Sanchez on that one.

Now that you're all depressed, let me leave you with some good cheer. In 2007, there was this 10-6 team who squeaked into the playoffs as a wildcard, won out in the playoffs by the hair on their chinny chin chin, and defeated an 18-0 juggernaut by 3 points to win the Super Bowl. Well, maybe that didn't cheer you up that much, but think about it this way: if they can do it, why can't we?

Cedric Benson, who ranks second in the league, breaks another Ravens rushing defense streak.

Kirkendall — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:16:31 -0000

More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

about 1 month ago: Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson runs against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Cincinnati. Benson ran for 117 yards and one touchdown as the Bengals won 17-7. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Browse more photos »

It takes muscle and endurance to beat the Baltimore Ravens defense; along with a few missed Ed Reed tackle (have you ever seen him miss so many tackles against the Bengals?). Cedric Benson's rushing performance against the Ravens is in large part why the Bengals were able to beat a team that was favored in both games. The first time around, Benson rushed for 120 yards on 27 carries, which was the first time in 40 games that anyone rushed for 100 yards or more against the Ravens. Adrian Peterson would accomplish the same feat, rushing for 143 yards the following week.

So what does Benson do? He follows it up with another 100-yard performance. Dave Lapham asked the question. Who was the last running back to rush for 100 yards in consecutive meetings against the Ravens? Rudi Johnson actually came three yards short in 2005, rushing for 97 yards on November 6 and 114 yards on November 27. Both wins. Corey Dillon did do it in two seasons, rushing for 102 yards on November 10, 2002 and 127 yards on December 23, 2001. Pragmatic writes (through a Joe Reedy spirit or Twitter account) that it was Ricky Williams that last rushed for 100 yards against the Ravens in back-to-back games between 2002 and 2003. This Baltimore Sun article confirms it, writing that the Ravens defense "haven't allowed 100 yards to a running back in consecutive meetings since Miami's Ricky Williams in 2002-2003."

And more specific to our division's history, which running back has rushed for 100 yards against the Baltimore Ravens defense twice in one season? We looked. We scanned. The best we came up with was Jerome Bettis in 1997 -- rushed for 137 yards on October 5 and 114 yards on November 9 (if someone else, let us know).

Benson's rushing performance broken down by quarters
	Att	Yards	AVG	LG	TD
1st Q	9	45	5.0	21	1
2nd Q	9	35	3.9	15	0
3rd Q	7	19	2.7	4	0
4th Q	9	18	2.0	6	0
	34	117	3.4	21	1

As for the league, Chris Johnson put together another fine performance against the San Francisco 49ers rushing for 135 yards on 25 carries. He leads the league with 959 yards. Steven Jackson and Adrian Peterson were both off this week, allowing Benson to jump into second with 837 yards rushing.

One last impressive stat. Benson has recorded a rushing touchdown in four straight games, and six of the eight games this year.

Auditing the Seahawks Roster: Running Back

John Morgan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:09:38 -0000

More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP

Jones exhibiting his 4.51 speed.

Browse more photos »

I have audited Seattle at left tackle, left guard and center. I have spoken extensively on Ray Willis and Max Unger, though less on Unger since he has become a pro. Today I want to talk about Seattle's running back situation.

Seattle has been without a superstar rusher since Shaun Alexander broke down. Teams that experience great success with a superstar rusher often think they need a superstar rusher to be successful. Seattle does not have a hallowed history, but running back is one position it has done well. The great Seahawks rushers have names any football fan knows: Shaun Alexander, Curt Warner and Chris Warren were all great rushers. Ricky Watters was a great back that spent a few late career years here. John L. Williams was a great running fullback.

Mike Holmgren had Alexander, Chuck Knox, Warner, and Tom Flores and Dennis Erickson shared Warren, though neither did spit with him. Jim Mora has Julius Jones, Justin Forsett and Edgerrin James. Jones, Force and James will never be spoken of with Alexander or even Warren, but does it matter?

The running game lost its grasp over the NFL before I was born. The modern NFL is a quarterback's league. The leading rushers of recent Super Bowl winners have been mostly late round picks like Willie Parker, Brandon Jacobs and Terrell Davis; and talented retreads like Michael Pittman, Corey Dillon and Antowain Smith. Davis was a superstar in his short time, so the point is not about effectiveness. Most Super Bowl winning teams have had an effective run game.

The point is that Super Bowl winning teams have not typically invested heavily into their running back position itself. Seattle is on that track. Jones is 28. The Seahawks signed him to a cheap contract after he was run out of Dallas. Jones is Seattle's primary running back. He is a good pass blocker and can receive. It's been a long time since he looked like a good rusher, but it's been a long time since he could look like a good rusher. The 2008 Seahawks collapsed. The 2009 Seahawks await their starting line to take the field together.

Stats are a red herring and even tape can be difficult to decipher. How do we separate the line from the back? Here is an attempt.

Julius Jones was draft 43^rd overall in the 2004 draft. He was the fifth running back selected. Jones ran a slow 4.51 at the Combine despite being a speed back at Notre Dame. There he set records returning kicks and punts. Jones does seem field fast, but his raw speed argues he can not lose significant speed before he is no longer a viable NFL running back.

If Jones is slowing down, you would expect it to show in his stats, but Jones' rushing and receiving longs are comparable to his career rushing and receiving longs. He doesn't look slow in the open field, he just isn't reaching the open field very often anymore.

Another thing that could slow Jones or make him less agile or easier to tackle is performance decline related to injuries. Jones has been very healthy for a back. His most significant injury was a broken scapula his rookie season. His next most significant injury was a high ankle sprain suffered in 2005. Since then, Jones has been healthy, avoiding major injuries and mostly avoiding nagging injuries.

Jones doesn't seem slower and he doesn't seem hobbled by injuries. He has developed a reputation as an unremarkable back and maybe he is. But Jones blocks well, receives well and is one the cheapest starting running backs in the NFL. His brother Thomas fits the same profile and was passed around the league before he landed on a contender. Thomas Jones has never been a remarkable rusher, but he stayed healthy, kept his speed and does the little things well. No one would argue if Thomas could be the lead rusher on a Super Bowl winning team - he was a Rex Grossman away from being just that in 2006.

So C.J. Spiller is awesome, Jahvid Best is hype, Jonathan Dwyer is big, and some of the kids are likely to crash the party, but are any of them the piece that pushes Seattle closer to a championship? I don't think so. I think Seattle could do it with Jones. And if it can do it with Jones and Jones is cheap, why spend precious resources to replace him?

A lesser error doesn't justify the fact it's an error; DeDe Dorsey scores two touchdowns

Kirkendall — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:50:31 -0000

I typically defend Geoff Hobson more often than not. No one has answered me when I ask who works harder than him on any other NFL team website. And if you complain he tends to have a favorable spin on the Bengals, well, then duh. How many times have you gone to your boss and said, "your product stinks and you suck at nearly everything you do." Oh, oh. I almost saw a hand back there. No? You have to put things in perspective. However, I can't defend him here.

One reason the Bengals don't make a move on long snapper Brad St. Louis? His punt snaps have been solid. If they get a guy in here that can do the short snaps but struggles with the long ones, that could be more damaging because a bad punt snap can end up in a touchdown as opposed to a missed three points or one point.

I can't. I can't possibly defend him. He's a good guy. And he pumps out information quicker than any beat writer out there. But I can't defend him here. I just, I just can't. I can't justify the logic of one error weighing more than another. They just shouldn't happen. Long snap. Short snap. Under center. Alright. That's enough of that. On to more important things.

+ Watched parts of the first UFL game on Versus Thursday night. The stadium wasn't even half full and the game seemed generally sloppy, which shouldn't be surprising. This is the first game of a new league and it will take time to build a following, provided they keep appealing to NFL fans during days in which the NFL isn't playing. Former Bengals running back DeDe Dorsey scored two touchdowns, leading the Las Vegas Locomotives to a 30-17 win over the California Redwoods.

Moving on, swan.

We had brought up the topic that maybe T.J. Houshmandzadeh's departure was a good thing. I referenced an old piece in which the team had gotten tired of Chad Ochocinco and Houshmandzadeh yelling at the God of Golden Arms Carson Palmer. John Thornton tweeted us, "TJ wasn't a problem in lockeroom tho or with Carson. TJ and Carson were closer than ppl know".

Don't forget to checkout the SB Nation Fantasy football updates -- I should be making an appearance this afternoon.

A South Carolina newspaper did a feature on former Gamecock cornerback Johnathan Joseph.

Who Dey Fans hopes the Bengals better use a two-running back system. They also examined the Bengals scouting department with a clear mind that doesn't include the ramblings of tired talking points.

Chad Ochocinco "all but guaranteed a Bengals' victory in Baltimore"

"They don’t really stand a chance, realistically speaking," Ochocinco said.

Pete Prisco analyzes the first quarter of the season. About all of the mentions we got was being runner up as the surprise team of the year (Denver took the nod) and being the team on the other side of the Fluke Play.

Don Banks says that Carson Palmer and the Bengals are back, while taking note that they're one bounce away from being an undefeated 4-0.

John Erardi talks about quarterback Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense. Erardi and Joe Reedy talk about Baltimore's killer rush defense.

Since 1999, there have been only 18 games where the Ravens have allowed a 100-yard rusher (the last was Kansas City’s Larry Johnson in 2006). The Bengals have done it three times: two by Corey Dillon and one by Rudi Johnson.

The Baltimore Sun's Mike Preston, while calling the Bengals soft, predicts a two touchdown lead. This is one of the posts we'll have on file next week if the Ravens lose.

Kevin Vanvalkenburg (apparently a costar in Van Helsing), writes that the Ravens left tackle Jared Gaither is looking like a long shot to play Sunday.

UPDATE: Clearing confusion about Benson's participation. Cedric Benson and Rey Maualuga return to practice

Kirkendall — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:10:33 -0000

More photos » by Tony Dejak - AP

2 months ago: Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson (32) runs past Cleveland Browns linebacker Kamerion Wimbley (95) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, in Cleveland. The Bengals won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Browse more photos »

There was a moment in which some of us briefly failed to achieve one of those basic necessities in life. Breathing. That was after hearing Cedric Benson had injured his hip against the Cleveland Browns. Well, at least a certain Bengals blogger who spent most of his day at work on Thursday shotgunning cans of Mountain Dew to stay awake. You do get one hell of a kick, by the way.

However, Benson suited up and practiced on Thursday (as did Maualuga):

After sitting out Wednesday’s practice with a hip issue, Bengals running back Cedric Benson said Thursday he’s fine and ready to go. In fact, he says he’s not even sore. He says he only gets sore after carrying it 20 or more times and he carried it 18 times Sunday in Cleveland for 74 yards.

I would love to give Benson more breaks for Bernard Scott. But like Benson, I want the Bengals to break Baltimore's streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher.

The Bengals have a penchant for breaking that 100-yard streak. When Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis coordinated the Baltimore defense at the turn of the century, the Ravens had a streak of 50 straight games without allowing a 100-yard rusher snapped when Corey Dillon went for 127 yards on 27 carries in a Dec. 23, 2001 game. Lewis had the last laugh in a 16-0 victory for the third straight shutout of the Bengals in Baltimore.

The Ravens haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 39 games. And while writing this post, I shotgunned two more cans of Mountain Dew.

UPDATE: There seems to be some confusion as to whether or not Benson actually practiced. Some media outlets are reporting that Benson didn't even practice on Thursday (limited or full). This could be a result of a daily release of daily practice participation by the NFL media, which in fact, labeled Benson as having not practiced.

However, Joe Reedy and Josh Katzowitz both tweeted that Benson did participate fully on Thursday. And since we tend to trust Reedy (and Katzowitz too, who covers the Bengals), I think we'll conclude that Benson did practice.

Reedy: "Out: A.Smith; DNP: Jeanty; Limited: Hebert,T.Johnson,Maualuga,Ndukwe,Peko; Full: Williams, Benson, D.Jones"

Katzowitz: "bengals report: Hebert, Tank Johnson, Maualuga, Ndukwe and Peko limited participation. Benson, David Jones, R. Williams full"

In other words, we at Cincy Jungle just covered our ass. Fully participated, baby.

Cedric Benson on pace to shatter Bengals single-season rushing record

Kirkendall — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:43:28 -0000

More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

2 months ago: Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson (32) runs past Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Evander Hood (96) and linebacker James Harrison (92) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Browse more photos »

[Editor's note: Chris also ran a feature about Cedric Benson on his other blog, Intentional Foul. We have an open relationship. Even though I tend to be the jealous type, I gave my consent that Chris can write for another blog. It hurts sometimes, but aside from sleepless nights, I'm getting through alright.]

So one of the primary storylines this season on the offensive side of the ball is Carson Palmer. Is he back? Is he good? Should we think about replacing him? Blah. Blah. Blah. If there's one stat that shows Palmer is going to be alright, once he gets a season-worth of rust off his rehabilitated elbow, is that in two of the three games this year, he led the offense to a last minute touchdown drive to take the lead. What else could you want? Is the offensive line going to hold things together or will they breakdown? The defense has been a story of high interest this year too; only because our new-found understanding that defense means more than guys accidentally getting in the way of the opposing offense.

However, there is another aspect of this team that's immensely improved. In fact, let me say it with a ballroom echo where my voice sounds godly. Through three games this season, Benson is recording one of the best starts of any primary running back in the past 11 seasons. Not even Corey Dillon has come close to the numbers that Benson is putting up to start the season.

The only season in which someone put up better numbers to start the season was 2005, when Rudi Johnson recorded more yards (300) and touchdowns (3). Only twice have Bengals running backs recorded a better average than four-yards-per-rush or better in the previous ten seasons. In 2009, Benson is shattering that, averaging 4.44 yards-per-rush.

		Att	Yards	Y/A	TDs
2009	Cedric Benson	66	293	4.44	2
2008	Chris Perry	60	180	3.0	2
2006	Rudi Johnson	58	177	3.05	0
2005	Rudi Johnson	73	288	3.95	3
2004	Rudi Johnson	73	300	4.11	1
2003	Corey Dillon	40	144	3.60	1
2002	Corey Dillon	49	184	3.76	0
2001	Corey Dillon	57	207	3.63	1
2000	Corey Dillon	41	82	1.98	0
1999	Corey Dillon	53	216	4.08	1
1998	Corey Dillon	52	196	3.77	2

I'm fully aware that stats like this are meaningless through three games. Perhaps I'm simply taking advantage of your optimism to spill additional happy-joy feelings for at least a week. I'm a prick like that.

However, for those of you that dig stats and want more of it, this is another piece of evidence that shows the Bengals offensive line is better than last year, if not the best we've seen since the 2005 group of young Levi Jones, Pro Bowler Willie Anderson, versatile Eric Steinback, Bobbie Williams and the guy that every Bengals fan loved that no one else knew about, Richie Braham.

Are Anthony Collins, Andrew Whitworth, Kyle Cook, Evan Mathis, Nate Livings, Dennis Roland and Bobbie Williams as good as that group? Hell no. Are they serviceable to the point that your concerns about the offensive line is starting to fade, game by game? Hell yes. All the while first round pick Andre Smith is working to get back on the field with a busted foot and a lengthy negotiation process that pushed back his progression. Even when he's introduced to the field in the NFL, the Bengals won't incorporate an offensive line as good as that 2005 unit. On the other hand, the team's depth with this squad is very impressive.

Right now, Benson is on pace to record 1,562 yards rushing, which would be over 100 yards better than Rudi Johnson's 1,458 yards rushing record set in 2005.

Keys to beating Pittsburgh: Defense has to take over this game; offense has to ditch finesse generalizations

Kirkendall — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:06:28 -0000

There are too many things that could come out of Sunday's game with a win to just ignore. If the Bengals win:

...there's a chance they could be tied for first place in the AFC North standings; provided that the Cleveland Browns beat the Ravens in Baltimore (what are the chances of that?). Even then, the Bengals would be the de facto leaders in the division with a better division record.
...Bengals fans will start buying up tickets -- I made the prediction earlier in the week that if the Bengals beat the Steelers this Sunday and then the Browns on the road, that Paul Brown Stadium will be sold out the rest of the season.
...it will end a seven-game losing streak when playing Pittsburgh at Paul Brown Stadium.
If the Bengals beat the Steelers this Sunday, and do it with a nastiness that the Bengals need to compete in this division, a whole new era of Bengals football could emerge.
...the Bengals will start the season 2-1 (or better) for only the sixth time since 1990 -- the other seasons being 2006 (3-0), 2005 (3-0), 2001 (2-1), 1995 (2-1), 1992 (2-1).

However, there's the other side. If the Bengals allow Pittsburgh to run them over, like they did twice last year (38-10 and 27-10), then Bengals fans will implode. Many will shy away from the explosive win that brought waves of optimism to this team after beating the heavily favored Green Bay Packers. If the Browns beat the Ravens (and who actually expects that to happen?), the Bengals could be all alone in last place, by way of division record. The Steelers will win their eighth straight game in Cincinnati, questioning the Bengals motivation (again) when defending their home turf.

Speaking in more detail, the Bengals have lost seven consecutive games when playing at home against Pittsburgh Steelers. It's been bad. The Bengals have been outscored 182-84 during that span and the margin of defeat is 14 points per game.

Date	Record *	Score
October 13, 2002	0-5	7-34
September 21, 2003	0-2	10-17
November 21, 2004	4-5	14-19
October 23, 2005	5-1	13-27
December 31, 2006	8-7	17-23
October 28, 2007	2-4	13-24
October 19, 2008	0-6	10-38

* Record before the game.

The last time the Bengals beat the Steelers in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh came into the 2001 game, 12-1. Jon Kitna threw for 411 yards passing on 68 attempts (completed 35), recording two touchdowns. Peter Warrick caught 10 passes for 109 yards. Darnay Scott caught seven passes for 113 yards. Corey Dillon rushed 21 times for 91 yards. Former Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart threw four interceptions (two picks by Kevin Kaesviharn). Plaxico Burress and Hines Ward combined for 11 receptions for 152 yards receiving and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala rushed 25 times for 55 yards.

In other words, it's been a long time.

So what has to has to happen for the Bengals to win; some of them you can call The Obvious.

It's not enough to rush Big Ben. We've seen how Big Ben can evade a pass rush, keeping a play alive, even turning it into a big gain. He's big and strong. How many times have we seen him break a sure-sack only to find Santonio Holmes streaking (with clothes) down the the middle of the field? Bengals pass rushers Antwan Odom, Robert Geathers, Michael Johnson, Jonathan Fanene and maybe a defensive tackle (for a change), have make a difference. But it's not enough to just pressure Ben Roethlisberger. The pass rush has to knock him down, a lot. When they make a move for a sack, they have to drill him. The Bengals haven't recorded a sack in the past three meetings against the Steelers, and haven't had multiple sacks in a single game since September 4, 2006.

Date	Result	Sacks
October 3, 2004	L, 17-28	1
November 21, 2004	L, 14-19	7
October 23, 2005	L, 13-27	1
December 4, 2005	W, 38-31	2
September 24, 2006	W, 28-20	3
December 31, 2006	L, 17-23 (OT)	1
October 28, 2007	L, 13-24	1
December 2, 2007	L, 10-24	0
October 19, 2008	L, 10-38	0
November 20, 2008	L, 10-27	0
		16

Players that recorded sack in series since 2004: Duane Clemons (4.5), Justin Smith (4.0), Robert Geathers (2), Kevin Hardy, Landon Johnson, Madieu Williams, David Pollack, Domata Peko, Kevin Kaesviharn (0.5).

Stuff the Steelers rushing offense. Michael (Blitzburgh) at Behind the Steel Curtain was right about one thing. The Steelers do establish the rushing offense against the Bengals. And it seems like it's far too easy. Cincinnati's defense hasn't prevented the Steelers from recording over 100-yards rushing, as a team, since the Bengals 38-31 win on December 4, 2005. In the last 12 meetings, the Bengals defense prevented a rushing touchdown only once (November 21, 2004).

However, it's not just that. In the past 12 meetings, the Bengals have allowed 1,739 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns on the ground. Pittsburgh has rushed the football 40 times or more four times.

There are, however, encouraging signs to hang onto. The Bengals rush defense hasn't allowed 100-yards rushing by any team in their past three games -- 89 (Packers), 75 (Broncos), 31 (Chiefs). The Steelers rushing offense rushed for 36 yards against the Titans and 105 against the Bears to start the season. The Bengals have to keep pace by not allowing the Steelers to rush for over 100 yards (they are 2-0 in such scenarios since 2003). But, as we pointed out already, the Steelers tend to establish their rushing offense against the Bengals... a little to easily.

Date	Result	Steelers rushing	Leading rusher
9.21.03	L, 10-17	38-138-1	Amo Zereoue: 16-69
11.30.03	W, 24-20	25-85-1	Jerome Bettis: 20-62-1
10.3.04	L, 17-28	40-165-2	Duce Staley: 25-123
11.21.04	L, 14-19	40-151-0	Jerome Bettis: 29-129
10.23.05	L, 13-27	47-221-1	Willie Parker: 18-131-1
12.4.05	W, 38-31	28-95-1	Willie Parker: 15-71
9.24.06	W, 28-20	38-170-2	Willie Parker: 31-133-2
12.31.06	L, 17-23 (OT)	45-207-2	Willie Parker: 34-134-2
10.28.07	L, 13-24	33-160-1	Willie Parker: 22-126-1
12.2.07	L, 10-24	35-101-1	Willie Parker: 28-87
10.19.08	L, 10-38	27-125-2	Mewelde Moore: 20-120-2
11.20.08	L, 10-27	37-121-2	Mewelde Moore: 15-56

But what of the offense? I believe that the Bengals offense is getting closer to the potency they enjoyed during the 2005 season. Palmer recorded three touchdowns against the Packers and Benson rushed for over 100 yards. However, if you go back to the game before the win over Green Bay, the offense was far too similar to the team's worst ranked offense in 2008.

I feel that if the Bengals play mistake-free offense and convert drive-sustaining first downs, that they'll be alright. I don't expect Palmer to put up 300 yards. I don't even expect him to record three touchdowns. I don't expect Cedric Benson to record more than 100 yards rushing nor do I think any of our receivers will pick up 100 yards or more receiving. But if they sustain drives, win the time of possession and finish drives with points, the offense will do their part.

Prove we're no longer a finesse team. But I think this game will rest with the Bengals defense. If they knock Roethlisberger around and limit the Steelers rushing offense -- let's call it containing rather than eliminating -- then I think the Bengals will have their best chance at winning the football game. I know. Mistake free offense. Sacking the quarterback. Limiting the opposing rushing offense. Those are typically keys for every NFL team to win football games. But historically, when the Bengals have won, it hasn't always been that way. In previous years -- not including 2008, of course -- people have been right to generalize the Bengals as a finesse team, by simply outscoring the other offense. Defense was tasked to force a few punts; other than that, they just had to make sure the opposing offense didn't score more than the Bengals offense. Again. I know the Maddenism that exists here. But for the Bengals to win, Cincinnati's defense has to do more than that. They have to beat up the Steelers and not rely on the offense to win a shootout; because I don't think we can trust the Bengals to win that way against the Steelers.

The Bengals beat the Steelers if... I think the Bengals have as good a shot beating the defending Super Bowl champions than they've had since 2006. We're stronger on defense and the offense is coming around. Furthermore, if the Bengals offense can finally ditch the finesse term, along with the new Bengals defense passing the biggest test that they've face yet by taking over the football game, then I believe the Bengals win this football game.

Game Prep: Atlanta Falcons @ New England Patriots, Part 1

MaPatsFan — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:31:22 -0000

via www.football-wallpapers.org

View full size photo »

Our 9-16 loss to division rival New York was hard. It was particularly hard because we couldn't shut Head Coach Rex Ryan's endless yapping. However, as Belichick might say, "That's in the past. We got a game this coming Sunday." BTW, can you guess what season we last matched up against Atlanta without looking it up? If you know the NFL scheduling rules, it's a piece of cake. I'll wait... Hint: We play each team in an NFC division every 4 years.

Our last matchup was October 9th, 2005 and it was a 31-28 victory for our Patriots. Tom Brady threw 23/27, 350 yards, and 3 touchdowns. The Falcons QB at the time, Matt Schaub, threw 18/34, 298 yards and 3 touchdowns as well. Even though Corey Dillon had 106 yards in 23 carries, Patrick Pass pounded in the first TD of the game with a 6 yard blast into the end zone.

Atlanta managed 3 TD's in the air, 2 Field Goals, and a 2 point conversion for 28 while the Patriots had 3 in the air, 1 on the ground, and, as was so often the case, an Adam Vinatieri 29 yarder with 20 seconds left to win the game by 3. To say this was a close game is putting it mildly.

Atlanta's a different team these days. Boston College alum, Matt Ryan, is tossing the pigskin for the Falcons. You remember Matt, don't you? A 6 year, $72 million contract with $34.75 million in guarantees raised a few eyebrows. Thinking that sum of cash was outrageous for a rookie, I hoped, to some degree, this BC grad would crash and burn. He didn't. The 11-5 Falcons nearly claimed the NFC South, but fell short when Carolina finished with a 12-4 record. Atlanta fell to the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the NFC playoffs, 30-24.

A 2-0 Falcons, sharing the same record with division rival the New Orleans Saints, need this win to continue their reign at the top of the NFC South. Interestingly enough, Nawlins matches up against OUR division rival, the 1-1 Buffalo Bills. The ideal situation for us would be a win against Atlanta and a Saints beatdown of the Bills. Unfortunately, New Orleans would sit at the top of the NFC South and Atlanta would drop to second. You can see there's motivation for the Falcons to take it to our Patriots.

More to come tomorrow as I go through the Falcons' season up to this point.

A look back: New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills, Part 2

MaPatsFan — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:48:38 -0000

More photos » by Winslow Townson - AP

4 months ago: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during NFL football training camp at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday, Aug.5, 2009. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Browse more photos »

In Part 1, we reviewed Patriots and Bills matchups from 2000-2004, the first five years of Belichick's tenure with New England. In this era, Buffalo managed two wins against NE, but it would be the only two Belichick would ever surrender to our AFC East rival. A 16-2 record against our adversary from New York is a historical fact we Pats fans relish and one Bills fans, every year, hope to change. History is history and doesn't necessarily predict the future, but Pretty Boy is back with some new toys.

Ok, let's review 2005-2008 after the jump.

Oct 30, 2005 - BUF 16 @ NE 21

Both quarterbacks, Kelly Holcomb and Tom Brady, only threw for one touchdown, but Patriots RB Corey Dillon managed two TD's on the ground to none for Buffalo, clearly illustrated by a 0/3 red zone efficiency to the Patriots 2/2. Oddly enough, Buffalo at the ball for almost 40 minutes to the Patriot's 20. Red zone efficiency (or lack thereof) will kill you.

Dec 11, 2005 - NE 35 @ BUF 7

Tom Brady hammered Buffalo in this matchup. With 29 completions, 329 yards, and 2 touchdowns, it was hard to recover from that kind of aerial assault. Corey Dillon and Tom Brady sealed the coffin with one rushing touchdown apiece. A third down efficiency of 68% vs. Buffalo's 20% added a few nails as well. 4/5 in the red zone vs. 0/2 meant more trips and a better percentage. Red zone's the ticket, baby!!

Sep 10, 2006 - BUF 17 @ NE 19

Passing numbers were virtually identical between J.P. Losman and Tom Brady, but Brady put up two TD's to Losman's zero. 2/3 in the red zone vs. 1/2 was the winning formula, as is the case in so many games. The game winning two points were the result of a Ty Warren induced safety on Losman with 9:37 left in the game. That had to be frustrating for a Bills fan.

Oct 22, 2006 - NE 28 @ BUF 6

Like their previous 2006 matchup, passing stats were almost identical except for two Tom Brady touchdowns. Add to that two Corey Dillon rushing TD's, and it was light's out. There's really not much to say here; Buffalo made it to the red zone once and didn't convert while the Patriot were 3/3. 'Nuff said.

Sep 23, 2007 - BUF 7 @ NE 38

This was the year that everyone would fall to New England. Well, except for "That Game". Trent Edwards stepped in when Vince Wilfork hit J.P. Losman's knee, but Buffalo simply couldn't overcome Brady's four touchdown passes and Sammy Morris's rushing TD. The Patriots were on a role and this game would be a harbinger of things to come...again.

Nov 18, 2007 - NE 56 @ BUF 10

The score says it all. It was nuts. Brady was unconscious with 31/39, 373 yards and 5 touchdown passes. Kyle Eckel and Laurence Maroney each had a rushing TD. To add to the embarrassment, Ellis Hobbs scores on a fumble recovery. Randy Moss would tally up 128 yards and four touchdowns, a career high.

Nov 9, 2008 - BUF 10 @ NE 20

With Tom Brady rehabilitating from ACL/MCL knee surgery, Buffalo had it's chance to end the losing streak with Matt Cassel at the helm. No such luck. Did I mention Laurence Maroney was IR'd and LaMont Jordan was out as well? Trent Edwards threw for one TD, but two interceptions. Cassel had no TD passes to his credit, but he was able to get NE in the red zone so BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Cassel could punch it in for six. Two field goals brought the Patriots to 20.

Dec 28, 2008 - NE 13 @ BUF 0

This was one of the windiest games I've ever seen. With a combined 33 passing attempts, this game was played on the ground. Why? 55 mile per hour wind gusts, that's why (check out the goal posts at 18 seconds into this video or Gostkowski's only miss literally getting blown away from the uprights towards the end of the clip). It was a miracle Stephen Gostkowski could even MAKE a field goal, let alone go 2/3. The sole touchdown of the day went to LaMont Jordan.

That's a wrap, gang. Class is over. It's time to welcome Tom Brady back under center in throwbacks. We've been chatting all week with our friends from Buffalo Rumblings. It's time to play some football.

A look back: New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills, Part 1

MaPatsFan — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:17:01 -0000

via www.hotchickshotpicks.com

View full size photo »

It is probably safe to say that many Bills fans are looking at this coming Monday night with hope. Hope that Brady isn't quite himself, that Welker isn't as quick as he usually is, and the backfield-by-committee stumbles. Hope that Trent Edwards finds Terrell Owens early and often. For a very long time, nine years under Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots have had great success against their division rivals, the Buffalo Bills. I don't write this to gloat nor do I EVER believe a matchup against Buffalo is a guaranteed W. But history tells the story and history is 16-2. That's right. There's only 2 games under a Bill Belichick coached Patriots where the Bills have bested us.

The many Bills fans I've chatted with via our blogs are so hopeful of a win, but the reality of our 18 previous matchups is hard to ignore. Some would say NE simply has Buffalo's number. Who knows. What I DO know is that Brady's back after a year's absence and Belichick wants to test out his shiny new offensive weapons and check out a defense without Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, and Rodney Harrison. There's a lot to see. But, from a years-gone-by perspective, it seems appropriate, as we approach the 50th Anniversary of the AFL, to take a historical look at those previous matchups. I'll break this up into two parts: 2000-2004 for Part 1 and 2005-2008 for Part 2.

Nov 5, 2000 - BUF 16 @ NE 13

Oddly enough, Doug Flutie was responsible for NE's undoing. Throwing 18 for 37 and 179 yards and one TD, it was just enough to best our Patriots. Hey, I can't hold it against Doug; he was just doing what he was paid to do. Unfortunately for Buffalo, this would be 50% of their wins up until now.

Dec 17, 2000 - NE 13 @ BUF 10

Flutie, throwing 15 for 25 and 193 yards, actually had a better game in the air than his previous Nov 5th win, but he was sacked 3 times. NE eeks out a three point win that is best described as a defensive battle.

Nov 11, 2001 - BUF 11 @ NE 21

2001 saw the emergence of Tom Brady after Drew Bledsoe suffered an almost fatal injury. Brady threw for a very unimpressive 15 for 21 and 107 yards with one TD. He also accounted for two fumbles and one interception. The difference, however, was Antowain Smith's 100 yards rushing, two TD's, and a long of 42. This game was won on the ground.

Dec 16, 2001 - NE 12 @ BUF 9

Both quarterbacks, A. Van Pelt and Tom Brady, had great yardage stats, posting over 200 yards, but no touchdowns. All points were scored through the uprights with Adam Vinatieri hitting four FG's to Graham's three. Graham went 3/4 and could've tied the game.

Nov 3, 2002 - NE 38 @ BUF 7

Fresh off a Superbowl win, NE hammered Buffalo in a face off between Tom Brady and his mentor, now Buffalo QB Drew Bledsoe. Brady threw 22/26 and 265 yards while Bledsoe went 28/45 and 302 yards. The difference? Brady threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions to Bledsoe's one touchdown and one interception. The tell all stat in this game was red zone efficiency: NE: 4/5 to BUF 1/5. Let's not forget three missed field goals for Buffalo. This was an NE defense absolutely destroying Bledsoe when it was needed: in the red zone. The student has become the teacher.

Dec 8, 2002 - BUF 17 @ NE 27

Bledsoe throws an impressive 328 yards to Brady's 183. However, both rack up two touchdowns. The killer for the Bills and Drew? Four interceptions. Definitely a game killer.

Sep 7, 2003 - NE 0 @ BUF 31

This was an absolute obliteration of the Patriots. Even though Bledsoe only threw for one touchdown, he did manage 230 yards to Brady's zero touchdowns and 123 yards. The difference makers were a) four Brady interceptions, one returned for a touchdown and b) an NE 0/2 red zone efficiency to Buffalo's 3/3. This will be the last time in this decade the Bills win a game against the Patriots.

Dec 27, 2003 BUF 0 @ NE 31

This is New England's year. An exact reversal of their embarrassing loss on September 7th, Brady is unconscious with four touchdown passes and no interceptions. The game could've been even worse for the Bills; NE's red zone efficiency was 4/6. All that mattered was the Bills were 0/3 under 20 yards.

Oct 3, 2004 - NE 31 @ BUF 17

Tom Brady throws for 50 more yards and two touchdowns to Drew Bledsoe's one touchdown and one interception. A Corey Dillon touchdown and a Richard Seymour 68 yard TD on a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter put the nail in the coffin. Buffalo just couldn't hang on.

Nov 14, 2004 - BUF 6 @ NE 29

While Tom Brady only threw 19 for 35, 233 yards, and 2 touchdowns, Corey Dillon had a massive 151 yards rushing. Oddly enough, there were no rushing touchdowns, but the Bills threw for four interceptions. The real star of this game? Adam V's foot - 5/5 field goals.