Gameday and Open Thread: Bengals vs. Patriots (MNF)

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 3:52 PM EDT in Game Log

Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) vs. New England Patriots (3-0)

First half notes.

Bengals start conservative and unleash as the half moved on. Bengals still shutout on third downs (0/3) whereas the other two drives finished in touchdown and interception. Patriots had three drives of 60 yards or more including their last 12-play, 62-yard drive that took 6:48. Madieu Williams leads the team with seven tackles and Nedu Ndukwe, playing a LB/S hybrid, is all over the place. Defense, in general, is playing off and on. While they give up long sustaining drives, they've also picked off a pass and forced a three-and-out. Not bad. But the Bengals need to score to start the second half or this team could be behind the eight ball... quickly.

On the injury front. Lemar Marshall suffered an injury on Kevin Faulk's 23-yard reception to his left achilles. No official word on Willie Anderson. He's been out since the Bengals second drive of the game. Madieu Williams and Landon Johnson spent time out attending eyes being stabbed by Patriots fingers.

PERSONNEL UPDATE II: Stepanovich gets start over Ghiaciuc
Alex Stepanovich made his third straight start in place of Eric Ghiaciuc at center, but Ghiaciuc was active.[Bengals.com]

PERSONNEL UPDATE: Laurence Maroney, Caleb Miller and Ahmad Books OUT
Both starting running backs didn't dress for Monday night's game between the Bengals and Patriots with New England putting down Laurence Maroney and Cincinnati Rudi Johnson. The Bengals also de-activated middle linebackers Ahmad Brooks and Caleb Miller.[Bengals.com]

Inactive/Out: Rashad Jeanty, Ethan Kilmer, Tab Perry, Rudi Johnson

Series Leader: Patriots, 12-8
Streak: Patriots, five of the past six games
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 0-2, Belichick: 11-3
Broadcast: ESPN, 8:30pm: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Tony Kornheiser, Suzy Kolber & Michele Tafoya (Field reporters). Westwood One Radio: Dave Sims, Boomer Esiason. SIRIUS: 124 (Westwood); 126 (NE), 123 (Cin.).
SB Nation: Pats Pulpit

Uniform: Orange shirts

Weather at kickoff : 65-69F. Partly Cloudy. Winds between 3-5 mph. [Local 12]

Starters: We project the starting lineup below based on last week's starters and today's trickle of info. Week 1-3 are official via NFL.com. Week #4 is total projection.

POS.	Week #4
QB	Palmer
RB	Watson
FB	J.Johnson
WR	C.Johnson
WR	Houshmandzadeh
TE	Kelly
LT	L.Jones
LG	Whitworth
C	Stepanovich
RG	Williams
RT	Anderson

POS	Week #4
LE	Geathers
DT	Peko
DT	Thornton
RE	Smith
WB	L. Johnson
MB	Schlegel
SB	Marshall (D)
SS	Jackson
FS	Williams
CB	Joseph
CB	O'Neal

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Comments

Mort says

There's a very good chance that Chris Henry will be reinstated.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 8:12 PM EDT reply actions

What?

I thought that was a done deal as long as he stayed out of trouble? This isn't just a normal 8 game suspension?

Oh well, for the task at hand, WHO DEY!

by DUVols on Oct 1, 2007 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

It was an update of sorts by Mort regarding all well-noted suspensions. Able to get the game?

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Game

Yep, I'm on-line via Yahoo GamePass. Not bad for Baghdad. The connection is usually pretty decent at 0330 (doesn't get it done for 1 o'clock games though). If it goes down, I can go find a work computer because the Armed Forces Network is caring the game as well.

I hate to say it, but I just hope we keep this respectable. I think our future looks a lot brighter starting the KC week. Plus, our division looks like we'll beat each other up a bit, so we can get back in this. Just not real positive that tonight is the night.

My opinion? Cutting Simon is turning out to be the worst move of the off-season and probably worst of the M. Lewis era (6 DBs and the guy is still wide open - awesome).

Now, let's hope we can surprise some people. Who Dey!

by DUVols on Oct 1, 2007 8:48 PM EDT reply actions

I meant Simmons not Simon

by DUVols on Oct 1, 2007 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

RE

Can't argue that. Simmons was purely a money move. But who would have known that Thurman wouldn't be reinstated and all of our injury at LB.

Either way, I agree about Simmons.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

RE

Right on. I thought the Bengals had decent pressure on Brady. Especially Geathers.

NOTE on Lemar Marshall. He's out with a left achilles tear. That means Ndukwe is playing a hybrid role. Some LB and some S.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 8:54 PM EDT reply actions

Par for the Course - Whoo Hooo

by DUVols on Oct 1, 2007 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

RE

Strange series. Bengals run the ball the first three plays of the drive. Then Chatman drops a pass and Palmer is sacked -- coverage sack.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:00 PM EDT reply actions

RE: Great D series #2

Three and out baby! Two false starts (great crowd noise) and plenty of coverage forcing Brady underneath. Good stuff.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:05 PM EDT reply actions

Where..

is our Offense?

by Brasilian Bengal on Oct 1, 2007 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

How's it goin', guys?

Ndukwe is looking beastly so far.

by BK on Oct 1, 2007 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

How you doing BK?

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Considering how this game is going...

A little too sober.

by BK on Oct 1, 2007 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Challenge

I think that's a fumble. The ball was coming out before he fell -- meaning the ground didn't cause the fumble.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:16 PM EDT reply actions

WTH

Hey, there's some guy named Chatman running around the field who just caught a pass!

OK, this ain't looking good. What the heck? I at least expected some first downs here and there.

by DUVols on Oct 1, 2007 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

3rd Bengals drive

2nd three-and-out of three total drives. All passing by Palmer. Only one FD picked up so far. 17 total yards in the first Q?

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:27 PM EDT reply actions

3rd downs

Manageable. 3rd-11 3rd-5 3rd-3

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:31 PM EDT reply actions

HALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:31 PM EDT reply actions

That's Two for Hall!!

Eat that Brady!

by DUVols on Oct 1, 2007 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

There's some Bengals D!

Nice pick, Leon. On 3rd and 23 no less...

by BK on Oct 1, 2007 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

HOT DAMN!

Houshamazouli!

by BK on Oct 1, 2007 9:34 PM EDT reply actions

Now That's What I'm Talking About!

by DUVols on Oct 1, 2007 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

RE

All right fellas, game on!

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

Consider the swing of events

Going back to New England's 4th drive.

- Holding call on Pats
- Peko blows up screen pass for -3 yards.
- Hit on Brady that knocked him down frustrating him by Ndukwe.
- Forced timeout as play clock closes to zero.
- Leon Hall pick.

- Three straight runs by Watson.
- Chad stiff arm picking up good yards.
- TD by TJ.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:39 PM EDT reply actions

RE

Landon Johnson got poked in the eye. Madieu Williams was also poked in the eye earlier. But obviously, now back.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

Sammy Morris

With 4 minutes in 2nd Q 13 carries -- 98 yards rushing.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

I'm thinking

if the Pats were playing 5-2, Nickel, and Dime for most of the game, Watson would be having a big half too.

by BK on Oct 1, 2007 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea, true that

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

WR - Moss and Chad

Chad, what a catch falling backwards.

Moss, hey have to give props. Nice foot work coming down with the TD pass.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

Both were amazing catches.

by BK on Oct 1, 2007 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Willie mostly out

Seems he's been out since the Bengals second drive. Helmet in hand.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

Damn

We needed points on that drive. Miscomunication sucks.

by Brasilian Bengal on Oct 1, 2007 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

Yeap.

Makes the first drive of the second half all the more critical to convert a TD. Our defense is undersized now with the lack of LB, as BK pointed out, with a safety playing the LB.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Right on

We need to keep their D on the field for as long as we can.

by Brasilian Bengal on Oct 1, 2007 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

First half notes

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 10:07 PM EDT reply actions

Holding call

Killed that drive. We picked up three first downs, then hold, then three plays later, punt.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

Landon's eye injury

Downgraded to Questionable.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 10:25 PM EDT reply actions

Comon D!

We are back to sucking on D.

by Brasilian Bengal on Oct 1, 2007 10:27 PM EDT reply actions

Coaches to blame...

4 LBs to start the game?!?!?!? C'MON!!!

I'm beginning to think Marvin Lewis thinks he's smarter than he really is.

by sledridge @ Cincy Jungle on Oct 1, 2007 10:34 PM EDT reply actions

RE

In his defense, Miller and Brooks ended up as game time decisions and decided not to let them play.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

We need a stop on D

Right now.

by Brasilian Bengal on Oct 1, 2007 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

Dishwasher

Fixed my dishwasher this weekend. I don't know what I did though. It wasn't working turning it on. I took it apart, put it back together, and it started working. I had a real men of genius moment.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

Man

When it goes bad, it stays bad.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 1, 2007 11:03 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks Ref

Weak "hit" to King Brady's head and we get a penalty. Nothing being 3 yards out of bounds?

by DUVols on Oct 1, 2007 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

Chatman's Drop is Unacceptable!

Maybe if he hadn't been hurt for the past two years.

by DUVols on Oct 1, 2007 11:09 PM EDT reply actions

Wow what a tough game for y'all

You lose two of your four linebackers right off the bat. It was a long night for your defense.

Too bad Chad Johnson didn't break the right way on Palmer's interception... that would have been a sure touchdown right before the half.

The worst part about the game was all the negative Bangle talk from the booth... couldn't they give just a little love? Or would that have cut into their Pat lovefeast the whole night. And someone shoot Kornheiser please?

by Marked Hoosier on Oct 1, 2007 11:23 PM EDT reply actions