Bengals v. Panthers-Week Three

So the Bengals are back on the right side of things after a tough, sloppy, and ugly win over division rival Baltimore. Yeah, they got some help from the refs, like the first game in Baltimore last year, but a win is a win. Ray Lewis should spend more time bitching at his offense instead of the refs, because for the third game in a row Joe Flacco couldn't figure out what the Bengals were doing defensively. One big thing they did was pressure. All game long. And it lead to 4 picks. Game over.

As bad as the D looked against New England, they looked as good against Baltimore. Sure, they gave up some plays and missed some tackles, but all in all a very good performance. And now they get the first of 2 really crappy teams with QB issues, including a Carolina team that's going with a first time starter in Jimmy Claussen. This defense should be licking their chops.

When Carolina has the ball-
They are going to face a ton of guys in the box. Carolina is as run-first as it gets, and you would be too if you had DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart, either of whom would start for the Bengals. Unfortunately for the Panthers, they can't pass, and if you can't pass, eventually teams will bring enough guys down to stop the run. Yes, they have WR Steve Smith, and he is still playing at a very high level. But as we saw last year when the Bengals had Chad (Johnson) and no one else, eventually teams roll coverage and make you go elsewhere. Dwayne Jarrett, Brandon Lafell and a cast of hot garbage have done nothing to help. No deep threats=8-9 Bengals in the box.

The best the Panthers can hope for is that this aggressive, pursuit based defense can open themselves up for some cutback runs. Much like Ray Rice showed a couple of times last week, if you can cut back and break a tackle, it's off to the races. Both Stewart and Williams have better top end speed than Rice and could break one. Missed tackles are the only way this defense allows ANYTHING to this very average offense. (Same is true of the passing game, where both of Steve Smith's TD's were on mid range passes broken by his dynamic RAC ability).

While I like Jimmy Claussen, this is a tough matchup for his debut. The Bengals have a very good secondary (even if Don't Call Me Pacman doesn't play), and while they only have one sack, this is a pass rush that consistently got to Joe Flacco. Let's see, they've played Tom Brady and Joe Flacco and now they get a rookie with little skill position help and a beat up offensive line. Yeah, I see big problems for the Panthers. The kid's going to have to play out of his mind to give them a shot and I just don't see him getting out of this one without at least 2 turnovers.

The formerly dominant offensive line for Carolina has not been so so far this season. They will have their hands full with an active Bengals front, especially on pass downs. Most impressive about the Baltimore game was how many different guys contributed to the rush. Odom, Geathers, Tank, Peko, Rucker, Geno Atkins, and even Pat Sims ALL made plays. If Carolina can't make some hay on first down, they are in deep trouble in second and third and long. Outside Smith, only TE Donta Rosario is consistent, though he is considered more of a possession guy than a big play guy. (He has had some bigger plays in the seam and is a big target). J Stewart and Mike Goodson are the pass catchers in this offense out of the backfield. For some unknown reason, they hardly throw to D Williams. Although they run the same basic plays for both Stewart and Williams, it's going to be a run if DW is in most of the time.

Injury wise the big ones are these: RT Jeff Otah (Carolina's best) is still not practicing and may miss another game. The Bengals will probably be without Adam Jones, Frostee Rucker and Jon Fanene. That would mean Trent Morgan, and probably Carlos Dunlap will play. This shouldn't even by a fair matchup even with the injuries.

When the Bengals have the ball-
They need to clean up these pre-snap penalties and stop killing their own drives. How many times have I bitched about Chad (Johnson) getting pre-snap penalties? And can we please get the freaking snap count down! That cost them a touchdown against Baltimore. AHHHHH! (While I'm on things I don't understand, why do the networks keep trying to give Jimmy Smits a series? Um, no one likes him. Random, I know). Ok, so clean it up will you. More like the New England game, less like the Ravens game.

So Ceddy Ced is pissing and moaning already about his lack of touches? Way to revert back to your Chicago days you overrated diva you. Funny how it was TO or even Chad that was supposed to be the first to start bitching...what's this, a dark horse takes that title? "We need to run it more" you say? Hard to do that when you're down 31-3 a-hole. And then you're playing Baltimore, and every time you get something going you get a penalty. Hard to run in 2nd and 8. Plus they're trying to get some flow to the passing game too, and I believe the feeling is that the running game is a constant they can always fall back on. If you can't pass in the NFL, you can't win, and this passing game is still not clicking. Shut up Cedric and be a freaking team guy for once. B Scott is better than you anyhow, he's just not big enough for 25 touches. Oh, and we'll be drafting your replacement next year.

But what about this matchup? How good, or bad, is this Carolina defense? Well, the short answer is I don't think anyone knows. They are not great, that we know. But I can't say they are bad either. They aren't as good as Baltimore or New England, that I will say. Against the run, they are only giving up 3 yards/carry and only 1TD but they've played the Giants and Bucs so far, and both teams lit them up through the air. To the tune of 5 TD's, including some long ones. They play aggressive, mostly man coverage, and that's a good thing for the Bengals. I'm confident the Bengals WR's and TE's can beat man coverage. It's zone they are still trying to get on the same page about. With young pass catchers, and TO trying to get the system down, I think that has more to do with Carson's struggles so far than anything else. (Yes, I'm an apologist, shut it). They will get there, but it takes reps Cedric. It takes reps. One thing's for sure: this team has a vertical threat back in it, and that will only help the run game.

The Oline has played okay so far this season, but it's time to start exerting it's will. Carolina has an athletic, but not particularly talented front that has had trouble pressuring the QB. Carolina, like Cincy, has 1 sack on the year, but it's from their MLB Dan Connor on a blitz. Same stat, different story. WLB Thomas Davis is still recovering from ACL surgery, so their best playmaker is new OLB Jon Beason. Beason moved positions this season and is still settling into that roll. Bottom line, the Bengals should be able to run against this front and have a decent day in protection.

The secondary is fast, and led by CB Chris Gamble. The athleticism is their, but the experience isn't as much. I think the mix of veteran WR's and young guys over the middle can take advantage this week. The LB's and Safeties in particular will find it tough to cover Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley. I think this defense can be exploited in a big way. Cincy's offense is relatively healthy and Carolina's best DLineman DE Tyler Brayton is nicked. Advantage Bengals.

Teams-
The Bengals have had some coverage problems and Carolina has a decent return game. Mike Goodson especially is good in the kick return game. Carolina also has a blocked punt already this season, so the Bengals can't give them one in that phase. The Nuge showed up huge against Baltimore, and I hate to even think how that game goes with last season's kicking and snapping. B Scott and Quan Cosby will again handle returns with A Jones out. B Scott came through again last week with a game changing return. I love this guy almost as much as Carson. Maybe more since I have his jersey. B Scott is the freaking man.

Prediction-
The Bengals put a solid beating on a team with bad ownership, a lame duck coach, a rookie QB and a general lack of talent. (The Bengals can relate to the bad ownership and lame duck coach parts). The Bengals showed once again against Baltimore that they are the more physical team, and Carolina (especially on D) is more movement and finesse. Let's show them some AFC North football and ground and pound and open up big play action passing opportunities. Vegas likes the Bengals by a paltry 3 or 3.5 depending on your book, but I like the good guys by closer to 10. Once again Vegas gives this team no respect. This Carolina team, and the Browns team they play next week, will both be picking in the top 5 come April. Time for a beat down.