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Apr 25, 2009 Dec 19, 2009 65 6668

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Bengals Banter: Mid-Viking-Week Edition

It's Vikings week, still! I don't have much commentary this time, so here are some links.

2 comments  |  0 recs |

CincyJungle Presents: Ask a Bengals Fan!

Hi Norsemen and Norsewomen. I'd like to extend the invitation for you fans to ask me, a fan and blogger from CincyJungle, and my co-bloggers, any questions you might have about the Bengals so you can get to know the opposition before this weekend's Super Bowl preview. I look forward to informing you to the best of my ability.

I look forward to our teams' bout this weekend, as it could tell us a lot about how good the Bengals are - if they are simply a team that plays to the level of the competition, or if the passing attack is so deteriorated that we won't have a chance to make a playoff run. It'll also tell us how we run the ball against a good NFC defense, just how good our defense is against a juggernaut offense, and if we can protect Palmer against elite pass rushers.

Bring on the questions!

30 comments  |  3 recs

Bengals Banter: 9-3 with a real team to play in 6 days for the first time in 3 weeks

They're so cute when they win.  (AP Photo/David Kohl)

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

They're so cute when they win. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

I've been so bored of Bengals games lately. And I'm not complaining (well, maybe a little) because for the most part, we're winning games. I've voiced my opinion in a few threads about the current brand of offense, which has been excused because the Bengals defeated the Browns and Lions. I contend that the Oakland game is case in point as to why this sort of offense isn't the answer, but alas, I digress. Our boys are 9-3, potentially one week away from sealing the AFC North, and have a blue print to beat the Vikings after their drubbing at the hands of Kurt Warner and his second greatest show on turf. Anyhow, here are some cool stories that mention the Bengals.

18 comments  |  0 recs |

Post-Game Thread: Detroit Lions (2-10) 13 - Cincinnati Bengals (9-3) 23

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Quan Cosby (12) tries to get out of the grasp of Detroit Lions linebacker Zack Follett (49) while running the ball during the first half of their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

13 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Quan Cosby (12) tries to get out of the grasp of Detroit Lions linebacker Zack Follett (49) while running the ball during the first half of their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

The Bengals won another snoozefest this week against another awful team, reminiscent of last week's boring win against the awful Browns. But, hey, a win is a win, and a winning season we have secured as the Bengals improved to 9-3 with 4 games to play.

Carson Palmer turned the ball over 3 times. The defense played pretty well, including making a few take aways of its own and scoring a touchdown to help carry the Bengals to victory. Penalties were rampant and a problem. Tackling was a problem at times, too. But the Bengals took care of business, I guess, and style points don't really matter at this point to anyone but the pundits.

Here are some stats, because I'm bored and complacent since the Bengals won easily. Oh yeah, some notable notes... Bengals are the first team ever to have 3 different backs go for over 100 yards in 3 straight games, and they've recorded the biggest 12 game turnaround ever (from 2-11-1 to 9-3).

  • Penalties: CIN - 9: 75, DET - 7:45
  • Time of Possession: CIN - 38:48, DET - 21:12
  • First Downs: CIN - 22, DET - 14
  • 3rd Downs: CIN - 6/15, DET - 2/11
  • Rushing: CIN - 41 carries, 122 yards, 3.0 ypc, DET - 20 carries, 80 yards, 4 ypc
  • Passing: CIN - 17/29, 220, 7.9, 1 TD, 2 INT , DET - 13/29, 192, 5.7 ypc, 1 TD, 2 INT
  • QB Pressure (Sacks/Hits): CIN - 3/8 , DET - 2/3
  • Secondary (Int/Passes Defensed): CIN - 2/8, DET - 2/5

259 comments  |  0 recs |

Second Half Thread: Detroit Lions (2-9) 7 - Cincinnati Bengals (8-3) 17

Cincinnati Bengals guard Bobbie Williams (63) greets fans after his team defeated the Cleveland Browns 16-7 in an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

20 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals guard Bobbie Williams (63) greets fans after his team defeated the Cleveland Browns 16-7 in an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

Pretty lackluster first half from the offense against the woeful Detroit defense outside of the big play to Chad Ochocinco on playaction in the second quarter. The good news is the defense is still pretty good, outside of giving up a big pass to Calvin Johnson. Pressure has been decent, coverage has been excellent, and tackling seems to be improving as time goes on. Even the offense heated up at the end of the second half, with Carson Palmer going 5/7 for 73 and a TD after starting 2/6 with an interception.

The Lions got the ball back with just over 2:00 to go, and the Bengals played to get the ball back before the half, and the Lions were forced to punt after some incomplete passes with 1:19 left in the half, and Cincinnati took the ball with 1:08 left at the 38 yard line. Palmer took a sack, Detroit took a time out, :59 left. Palmer to Coles for 11 at the 49, snap with :38. Palmer throws deep to wide open Chad Ochocinco with :30 left, marching into Lions territory. Carson was forced to run it, and managed to spike the ball and stop the clock with :14 seconds, and following a delay of game penalty, Shayne Graham booted a 44 yard field goal to push the Bengals lead to 10.

Some causes for concern in the first half - offensive line and penalties. Carson was under durress far more than we expected him to be against the worst pass defense in the league, and the Bengals were flagged, well, a lot, giving up 50 yards on 6 penalties in the first half. The Lions' only points of the game came after a false start and a hold. We're also only averaging 3.0 yards per carry, which isn't so good.

Causes for optimism - Carson was much hotter toward the end of the second quarter. The defense continues to play well. We're playing the Lions. It's our ball first in the 3rd quarter and we're winning by 10. We've scored more points than our defense gives up per game, and the Lions' offense isn't exactly a juggernaut.

Stats of interest:

  • Time Of Possession: CIN - 16:31, DET - 13:29
  • Penalties: CIN - 6:50, DET - 4:30
  • Total Plays: CIN - 33, DET - 33
  • Yards (Passing/Rushing): CIN - 174 (126/48), DET - 142 (88/54)
  • 3rd Down Efficiency: CIN - 2/5, DET - 2/8
  • 1st Downs: CIN - 12, DET - 9

Kind of even, huh? Hopefully the second half is a little more favorable to the boys in black.

605 comments  |  0 recs |

Midweek Bengals Banter: Power Rankings, Best Plays of the 2000s, Bengals Still Get No Respect!

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga holds up a sign to fans after his team defeated the Cleveland Browns 16-7 in their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

20 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga holds up a sign to fans after his team defeated the Cleveland Browns 16-7 in their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

Another dull week in Bengaldome, in my opinion. Boring win over a bad team with another bad team coming to town this weekend. Game still isn't sold out, might not sell out unless the Bengals eat a decent amount of the remaining tickets. Bengals heavy favorites, still talking about getting respect despite being a top team in the AFC by record. I think we've heard this before.

Anyway, here are a few links.

5 comments  |  0 recs

Bengal Banter: Brownies Week

Does this look like a guy that's going to lose again? (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

More photos » by Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP

Does this look like a guy that's going to lose again? (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

This is going to have to be short. Sorry, I'm sick and writing a thesis.

5 comments  |  0 recs |

Post-Game Thread: Cincinnati Bengals (7-3) 17 - Oakland Raiders 20 (3-7)

Who do we blame for the loss? Larry Johnson? (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

More photos » by Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP

Who do we blame for the loss? Larry Johnson? (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

So, I don't really have anything to say about this one. We dominated every phase of the game but turned the ball over at some very inopportune times, including Andre Caldwell's fumble kickoff, and Jeremi Johnson's fumble in the red zone. Shayne  Graham also missed a field goal that was about 35 yards long. Feel free to continue discussing the loss here, I really don't have anything to say about it, I'm too disgusted. The Bengals did not play a complete game and made terrible mistakes down the stretch, including a dropped interception by Johnathan Joseph, and did not put the game away.

Unbelievable. Enjoy the gift Oakland, Pittsburgh, and the rest of the AFC. The Bengals really served this one up on a platter.

242 comments  |  0 recs |

2nd Half Thread: Cincinnati Bengals (7-2) 14 - Oakland Gradkowskis (2-7) 7

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (9) scores a touchdown as Oakland Raiders defensive end Greg Ellis (99) in unable to stop him in the first quarter an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

More photos » by Paul Sakuma - AP

27 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (9) scores a touchdown as Oakland Raiders defensive end Greg Ellis (99) in unable to stop him in the first quarter an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

So far, not too great for Cincinnati on the scoreboard. Or on the football field, it turns out, as the injury bug continued to bite the Bengals at the end of the 2nd quarter. Andrew Whitworth limped off the field after a collision with Carson Palmer. Then they just got all conservative, and stuff, and stopped trying to score points with only 43 seconds left in the half. As a result, the Bengals gave the Raiders enough time to take a 57-yard field goal attempt that Janikowski missed wide left. The point is, it was almost 10 points in 1 minute because of conservative play calling. That's awful. Marvin really needs to light a fire under the boys in the second half or this game could go south.

Statistically, it was a pretty good half for the Bengals on both sides of the football. The boys in orange and black possessed the ball for over 21 minutes to Oakland's under 9 minutes of possession. Carson Palmer, however, has only thrown the ball 10 times (completed 8) for 12.9 yards per pass. Hmmm... Meanwhile, the Bengals have rushed the ball 25 times for 3.3 yards per carry. Hmmm... I wonder if Bob Bratkowski is privy to these stats. I know we ran the ball down their throats on one drive, but you can't get that conservative. You have to score more points, you can't stop trying to score points. These guys really need to step their game up in the second half.

Other stats: 0 sacks, 0 QB hits for the Bengals (and 1 tackle for a loss). 1 sack for Oakland (and 6 tackles for a loss).

Bruce Gradkowski, Bengal killer, is 9/15 for 74 yards and a TD, much of that coming on dump-offs to wide open receivers that had room to run underneath. All that is good for a 94.9 passer rating. What is it about this guy against the Bengals?

In unsurprising news, the Bengals can't cover TE Zach Miller, and he's really been the Raiders' biggest weapon. Here's hoping the second half goes our way, these guys really need to get the foot back on the gas and put this one away.

807 comments  |  0 recs |

Bengals Banter: Fans are on top of the world and the players are grounded

The brave few that ventured into Heinz Field. The 3. WE ARE BENGALS!!!!!  (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

by Keith Srakocic - AP

The brave few that ventured into Heinz Field. The 3. WE ARE BENGALS!!!!! (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Your Cincinnati Bengals are 7-2, leading the division by effectively 2 games with 7 to play. They just got done shutting down Big Ben Roethlisberger and those hated Pittsburgh Steelers (video highlights here and here) Four of those remaining opponents combine for a 6-29 record. The other three may be difficult games, but they're winnable (with the quality of our defense, everything is winnable), at Minnesota, at San Diego, and at the New York Jets. The Bengals are right in the thick of things at the top of the AFC playoff bracket. If the season ended today, the Bengals are the second best team in the AFC, and would be the #2 seed with a first-round bye.

After the jump, MANY links and notes in narrative form!

Continue reading this post »

24 comments  |  0 recs |