Primer: Houston Texans (2-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-1)
by Kirkendall on Oct 14, 2009 10:11 AM EDT
in Primer
5 comments
Game: Houston Texans (2-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-1)
Series Leader: Cincinnati Bengals: 3-1
Streak: Texans won last game
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 2-1. Kubiak: 1-0
Broadcast: CBS (1:00 PM ET): Don Criqui, Randy Cross. SIRIUS: 154 (Hou.), 121 (Cin.). XM: 107 (Cin.).
SB Nation: Battle Red Blog
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Sunny with a high of 54 degrees [Weather.com]
Uniform: Orange
Television Coverage: If the Bengals sellout, then southwest Ohio and parts of Northern Kentucky and most of the state of Texas and parts of the surrounding states. [506] Note: If the Bengals aren't shown locally because of the blackout, then the most likely game that replaces it is the Ravens at Vikings (not a bad replacement).
Quick Notes:
Last time both teams met: October 26, 2008. Bengals 6 at Texans 35. Houston WR Andre Johnson has 11 catches for 143 yards and WR Kevin Walter catches 2 TDs (7, 39) as Texans win 3rd straight game.
Last game between teams in Cincinnati: October 2, 2005. Bengals 16, Texans 10. Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer passes for 276 yards and a TD. Shayne Graham kicks 3 FGs and RB Rudi Johnson adds 88 rushing yards.
Final note before we go into a bunch more notes: The Houston Texans were the first of two teams to lose to Cincinnati during the epic 2-14 season in 2002.
Cincinnati Bengals
- Dating back to December 14, 2008, the Bengals have won seven of their past eight games .
- Cincinnati looks to go 5-1 for the first since 2005.
- When playing the Texans at home, Cincinnati is 2-0.
- In the last two minutes of the past three games, Carson Palmer has completed 16 of 28 passes for 153 yards passing, two game-winning touchdowns and a passer rating of 96.3.
- With 254 yards passing, Palmer will reach 17,000 career yards passing.
- Dating back to December 21, 2008, Cedric Benson leads the NFL with 769 yards rushing on 147 carries (4.4 yards-per-rush).
- Benson is averaging 97.7 yards rushing in games that he's recorded 20 carries or more -- his teams are 9-1-1.
- Since 2002, Chad Ochocinco ranks second in the NFL with 8,928 yards receiving -- second to Torry Holt's 9,180.
- Andre Caldwell has two game-winning touchdowns this season.
- Antwan Odom needs .5 sacks to surpass his career high eight in 2007.
- If Johnathan Joseph records an interception Sunday, it'll be his fourth interception in four straight games. He'll be the first to achieve that since Deltha O'Neal had four in a row in 2005.
Houston Texans
- Texans aim for second consecutive wins over the Bengals.
- In his past four games, quarterback Matt Schaub has passed for 300 yards or more three times with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions for a 107.4 passer rating.
- The last time Schaub faced the Bengals, he completed 24 of 28 passes for 280 yards passing, three touchdowns and a passer rating of 144.0.
- When Schaub records a passer rating of 100 or better, his club is 8-3.
- Running back Chris Brown recorded his first rushing touchdown of the year last week.
- Andre Johnson looks to record 100 yards receiving in three straight games on the road (149, 101).
- Kevin Walter spend three seasons with Cincinnati (2003-2005).
- Tight End Owen Daniels recorded season highs with eight receptions and 94 yards receiving.
- The last time Mario Williams played the Bengals, he recorded a sack and forced fumble.
- Rookie linebacker Brian Cushing leads the team with 39 tackles; second among NFL rookies.
TEAM RANKINGS
| Offense | Bengals | Texans |
| Total | 335.4 (18th) | 349.0 (11th) |
| Scoring | 20.2 (t-20th) | 23.0 (12th) |
| Passing | 208.8 (20th) | 273.6 (5th) |
| Passing TDs | 7 (t-12th) | 10 (t-2nd) |
| Rushing | 126.6 (9th) | 75.4 (30th) |
| Rushing TDs | 4 (t-12th) | 2 (t-24th) |
| Defense | Bengals | Texans |
| Total | 327.6 (17th) | 363.0 (t-23rd) |
| Scoring | 18.0 (t-9th) | 24.0 (22nd) |
| Passing | 228.8 (23rd) | 222.2 (16th) |
| Passing TDs | 5 (t-8th) | 5 (t-8th) |
| Rushing | 98.8 (12th) | 140.8 (26th) |
| Rushing TDs | 3 (t-9th) | 9 (32nd) |
| Sacks | 14 (t-4th) | 6 (t-27th) |
| QB Rating | 82.0 (12th) | 83.7 (16th) |
| 20-Yard Passes Allowed | 20 (32nd) | 14 (t-17th) |
| Interceptions | 4 (t-9th) | 2 (t-25th) |
| Special Teams | Bengals | Texans |
| Kickoff Return | 21.1 (24th) | 25.7 (5th) |
| Punt Return | 13.1 (4th) | 12.5 (t-6th) |
| Punting (Net) | 36.4 (28th) | 39.3 (t-14th) |
| Punts Inside the 20 | 11 (t-4th) | 7 (t-15th) |
2009 STATISTICAL INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
| Carson Palmer | Stat | Ranking |
| Quarterback Rating | 76.9 | 24th |
| Yards Passing | 1,116 | 12th |
| Touchdowns | 7 | t-9th |
| First Downs | 56 | 10th |
| Average Yards/Att | 6.6 | 21st |
| Completions | 97 | 12th |
| Interceptions | 6 | t-32nd |
| Times Sacked | 10 | t-22nd |
| Cedric Benson | Stat | Ranking |
| Yards Rushing | 487 | 1st |
| Attempts / Game | 22.2 | t-1st |
| Touchdowns | 3 | t-7th |
| First Downs | 20 | t-3rd |
| Chad Ochocinco | Stat | Ranking |
| Receptions | 24 | t-17th |
| Yards Receiving | 352 | 10th |
| 20-yard receptions | 7 | t-2nd |
| First Downs | 19 | t-7th |
| Sacks | Ranking | |
| Antwan Odom | 8.0 | t-1st |
CAREER AGAINST HOUSTON
Carson Palmer
| Date | Result | Comp | Att | Yards | TDs | INTs |
| 10.2.2005 | W, 16-10 | 25 | 34 | 276 | 1 | 0 |
| Date | Rec | Yards | TDs |
| 10.26.2008 | 5 | 44 | 0 |
| 10.2.2005 | 7 | 67 | 0 |
| 11.9.2003 | 9 | 89 | 0 |
| 11.3.2002 | 3 | 41 | 1 |
| 19 | 197 | 1 |
Cedric Benson
| Date | Rec | Yards | TDs |
| 10.26.2008 | 13 | 49 | 0 |
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Bengals by 7
Texans have a great aerial passing attack. In order to contain that, Bengals defensive line must play well rushing the QB Schaub. Bengals running attack must also be strong and errorless (no fumbles please) to chew up the minutes and yardage. Texans are relatively weak in rushing defense, giving up 9 rushing TDs already. How special teams play may decide this game.
by Richard L on Oct 14, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Texans rush defense is deceptive...
The past two weeks it has been very strong. The problem with the Texans is they just cant play consistent ball. They only show up for a half of football. If they show up for 2 halves, they win.
Odds are though, they won’t.
On the bright side, Andre Johnson has now shown he can devestate triple coverage. If you haven’t seen, this is a crazy play by AJ.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3VMXNXCHSs
The man is a beast. And ya, thats a linebacker on the first hit.
Prediction: Texans 24 Bengals 28
"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."
The ROSENFAIL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAKAKE-uq-8&feature=related
by TexansForever on Oct 14, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
RE
And he destroyed us last year. We have basically the same secondary — except we now have Roy Williams. Johnson had 11 catches for 143 yards. Yikes. Our secondary will be tested.
Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Kirkendall on Oct 14, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
4 things that pop out at me about this game
1. Bengals have been historically good against the Texans, and last years’ loss will be fresh in our D’s memory. That doesn’t bode well for the Texans or their star receiver, Andre Johnson
2. In the game v. the Texans last year, our secondary (especially Ndukwe playing center field) was BURNT TOAST! But Hall is (up to now…) transformed into a shut-down corner, and A. Johnson will be neutralized in the short and intermediate passes. My only concern is still our Safety-support.
*****In most deep-plays against the Bengals this year, the reason the passes weren’t completed was because of errant throws by the QB, not because of the WRs. The receivers are getting past our coverage in the deep ball. That could spell doom against a WR/QB combo like Schaub/Johnson. I WISH Tom Nelson would be in there as either Nickel Corner or Safety on key plays, b/c he’s the only safety that could even come close to helping Hall cover Johnson. (But, we have Crocker and Williams in there more for Run D support - both of their strongsuits)
3. The Texans have better rankings than the Bengals in most categories, but they’re not finishing in the Red Zone. And the Bengals Red Zone D has been damn near impregnable to date. I give the edge to our D. They’ll have to beat us with the big play.
4. Our Offensive Line has the opportunity to SILENCE THE CRITICS by shutting down both the Pass Rush and letting Cedric Benson continue to shine. Lets not win this one solely through the air… lets win this one on the ground. Carson shouldn’t save the day every game. Bring in Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard to spell Cedric for 10-20 of those 40 rushing plays for the day.
Chad OchoCinco can prolly smoke each of these corners, and Chris Henry is starting in my FFL, b/c doggoneit, I am predicting he’ll take a deep pass to the house this week.
PS – We’re not suffering at the FB position… I am surprised.
by Yaccub Fleishcman on Oct 14, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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