Question of the Day: Are you concerned about the Bengals?

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 28, 2009 10:44 AM EDT in Analysis

We brought this up last night; the Detroit Lions were 4-0 in 2008 and the New England Patriots were 0-4 in 2007 during the preseason. Aside from being two extreme examples, the dictation that the preseason is a preview of the regular season is too simplified to be taken seriously. However, the presumption is based on the record alone; not the substance within the game.

The Bengals are 1-2 this preseason. They've been outscored by 12 points; though their "dress rehearsal" led to more than seven points for the first time this preseason.

However, the Bengals are beating their opponents in yardage, rushing first downs, third down conversions (45%), rushing and passing yards, yards per completion, and time of possession. And they're doing this with the team's backup quarterback through two games and a rotation of running backs. The big play has returned -- two passing plays of 50 yards or more -- and the defense has allowed less than 300 yards to opposing offenses.

On the other hand, other mistakes a weighing incredibly heavier than the above. Bengals quarterbacks have been sacked 11 times and the defense has only recorded four sacks in return. The team has a terrible -5 turnover ratio, having zero interceptions through three games. They've only reached the Red Zone five times scoring at a 60% clip.

Stat		Bengals	Opponents
First Downs		47	51
	Rushing	19	15
	Passing	24	32

Time of Possession		31:09	28:51
Third Down Conv		45% (18/40)	39.0% (16/41)
Total Net Yards		1,0
	Rushing	404	296
	Passing	633	599
Completion %		65.3%	58.3%
Fumbles/Lost		8/5	6/3
Sacks/Yrds Lost		11/41	4/25
Penalties/Yards		24/182	22/210

Are you nervous, or are you tossing this as another preseason? Are you aware that this is preseason, but worried about the little things? What's your general impression through three games of preseason football?

Poll

What's your general feeling about the Bengals so far in preseason?

I'm very concerned that we're going to repeat 2008

148 votes

I'm concerned, but whatever. It's still only preseason. They'll fix it

130 votes

This is just preseason. I'll worry when the regular season starts

219 votes

497 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

We are hopefully seeing one huge difference from what we'll see in regular season

Carson Palmer

If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't

by trotanoy on Aug 28, 2009 11:23 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed.

Just keep him healthy.

by IFChris on Aug 28, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Interesting

Nice stats as always. I was not nervous until the game last night. Although the stats are a little more equal, the starters seemed to just be getting beat by the Rams.

by whodeyfans on Aug 28, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

RE:

Yea.

You get rid of those turnovers, we win this game. Although I also acknowledge that you can’t just simply “get rid of the turnover.” Still. It’s something that’s fixable.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 28, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah the question is not whether the problems are ones that can be fixed. The question is will they fix them?

If so, we’ll be at least decent this year.

If not, well, lets just hope for if so.

by FriarBob on Aug 28, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Not concerned because of the preseason per se..

My concerns have remained largely the same. We have an o-line that has not battle tested as a unit. It often takes time for an o-line to come together. The offense could struggle, even with Palmer, if we don’t some good o-line play.

by goffchile on Aug 28, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

Even if things aren't better, I feel like they are.

The offense seems less anemic and less vanilla than it did last preseason (a little). The offensive line is clearly a work in progress, as are protection schemes in spread formations (QB recognition of a blitz with 4 WR would have something to do with that… might Carson Palmer be better than JTO???).

That being said, I’m withholding judgment until the regular season. I’ve never put much stock in preseason performances.

by jsl413 on Aug 28, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions

Im with you

If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't

by trotanoy on Aug 28, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

i’m not overly concerned right now, because even for a “dress rehearsal,” it still looked like they were audtioning some guys last night, considering the amount of substitutions. i don’t think they’ll make nearly as many subs as they did last night (mmm, subs), and i’m not going to give up hope on the offensive line based on one game, because in the other two they’ve looked at least serviceable (not ideal, but still miles ahead of last season).

i had a brief moment of panic at the beginning of the game when i saw number 11 heading into the huddle, then remembered that coles is wearing that number now, and felt much better.

by Raging Clue on Aug 28, 2009 8:26 PM EDT reply actions