I said last week I would come on here and eat shit if you won well...

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In five games this season the Bengals are not allowing an opponents' best receiver to beat them. In fact in three instances they shutout a couple of the biggest names in the league. Of course they have been helped by a couple dropped passes, at least one each by Jennings and Edwards, and several by Marshall but this is still impressive.

Week 1 Brandon Marshall     4 receptions 27 yards
Week 2 Greg Jennings          SHUTOUT
Week 3 Santonio Holmes      1 reception 18 yards
Week 4 Braylon Edwards      SHUTOUT
Week 5 Derrick Mason          SHUTOUT

What are the main reasons for this current trend? (And yes, I think five games is enough to call it a trend) First might be the pressure we are applying to the quarterback. After only 17 sacks last year its apparent this team can make the signal caller a little uneasy in the pocket as displayed by the Bengals 14 sacks through 5 five games. Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph and even Chris Crocker have all been tight in coverage and are making plays when the ball is in the air. Finally with all the attention paid to the number 1, the number two, slot or TE has been left virtually uncovered at times.

Now the biggest test of the year approaches, and logic tells us this week against Houston Andre Johnson will catch some passes right? Well with this defense you never know. Let me know how you think he'll fair in my poll.

Date        Score       Rating    Comp    Att.     Yards  Y/A    Long     INT    TD    Sacked

10/03/04   L 17-28       52.1        20         37       164      4.4      24         2        1        1

11/21/04   L 14-19       82.9        13         25       165      6.6      36         1        2        3

10/23/05   L 13-27       53.8        21         36       227      6.3      47         2        0        2

12/04/05   W 38-31     101.5       22         38       227      6.0      43         0        3        1

09/24/06   W 28-20      98.2        18         26       193      7.4      30         2        4        6

12/31/06   L 17-23       91.0        20         38       251      6.6      66         0        2        0

10/28/07   L 13-24       102.2      23         31       205      6.6      28         0        1        0

12/02/07   L 10-24       51.6        17         44       183      4.2      24         0        0        1

Totals         W – L         Rating  Comp    Att.     Yards  Y/A    Long    INT    TD   Sacked

                     2  - 6          78.4       154      275      1615     6.1     66         7       13      14

This is my first post on this site so bear with me on my lack of computer skills. I was a little curious about Carson's career numbers against the yellow and black so I looked them up. I've watched all of these games with the exception of the '04 contests. A few things surprised me, first the fact he was only sacked one time total in the past three matchups (in which he played) and the other being his lack of a 300 yard passing game.

The Bengals haven't beaten the Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium in the Palmer era, so this week could be a little bit of history. Palmer has looked brilliant at times this season, but also made three or four big mistakes in each of the first two games. This new line reminds me of the one from 05 and 06, so hopefully sacks won't be the problem this Sunday.

The defense might be the key on Sunday, but as you can see the only time Palmer and the Bengals beat Pittsburgh in eight tries they put up nearly 30 points or more, so a shoot out might be the way to go.