Bengals offense is historically stronger in the second game than the first

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 17, 2009 11:26 AM EDT in Analysis

"So much for the idea Cincinnati solved its offensive problems in the offseason." This was a USA Today blog post after one game. One game. Did the Bengals stink offensively? Tentatively speaking, they did some good things, did some bad things. Carson Palmer was rusty, but after missing 15 of the past 20 games (including the preseason), he wasn't as bad as he could have been. Were the receivers not stepping up? Collectively, you could say that; though Andre Caldwell and Chad Ochocinco looked good. Did Palmer feel pressure? Sometimes. Did the lack of a rushing offense upset the dynamics on the offense? Maybe. Whatever you, I or our mothers concluded after Sunday, you can't lay blame at any one thing. Did Palmer step up? Bengals were down 6-0 when he led the offense over 90 yards for the touchdown. He would be credited with a comeback win, engineering a late fourth quarter drive; isn't that something Bengals fans have complained about in the past? Bengals took the lead. Fluke play later and we're back to square one. But the offense shouldn't have gotten to that point; we should have scored at least 20 points by that point in the game. Fair enough.

But did you know that the Bengals offensively put up their third best performance during opening weekend? Of course, the NFL defines total offense as in total yards. You and I know that points is all that matters. But that's not the point. We're going to chart the team's first week performance against the second week performances. And I think you'll be going into Sunday with bit more hopeful.

First Week since 2003.

Season	Score	Yards (Total)	Passing (net)	Rushing
2009	L, 7-12	307	221	75
2008	L, 10-17	154	84	70
2007	W, 27-20	236	181	55
2006	W, 23-10	236	120	116
2005	W, 27-13	420	272	148
2004	L, 24-31	351	238	113
2003	L, 10-30	294	243	51

If the Bengals look to rebound in week two, all they need to do is look back through the seasons to see that they've historically done it. If you take out the second week in 2008 when Hurricane Ike swept through and left all of us powerless for weeks, the Bengals have recorded at least a win and/or a pretty good offensive performance. Twice they reached the 500-yard mark.

Season	Score	Yards (Total)	Passing (net)	Rushing
2008	Titans 24, Bengals 7	215	127	88
2007	Browns 51, Bengals 45	531	394	137
2006	Bengals 34, Browns 17	481	244	57
2005	Bengals 37, Vikings 8	504	337	167
2004	Bengals 16, Dolphins 13	210	116	94
2003	Raiders 23, Bengals 20	416	287	129

So I caution those that are pushing children out of the way to get off the bandwagon. True, historically, the Bengals offense hasn't been in sync during kickoff weekend. But in the second week, oh boy. Look for some points this Sunday.

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You know, I want to believe that… but look at who we played on those second weekends. Until we played the Titans we played every time the absolute dregs of the league when it came to defense… and still managed to lose to some of them. Of course we all know why we lost in 2007… our defense was even worse than theirs. Which was pretty sad.

If we could play the Rams or Texans next week, I’d have a lot more hope. Green Bay right now has a very poorly ranked defense but I have significant doubt it is truly deserved. Unless Brat flips a switch and turns his brain on, it’s going to be a long wait to a very disappointing game.

by FriarBob on Sep 17, 2009 12:31 PM EDT reply actions

Stop The Presses

Friar Bob and I agree. Yes, that’s right. FRIARBOB AND I AGREE. He just beat me to the post.

Josh…as much as I’d like to believe your argument…two of those “2nd Week” games were against pathetic Cleveland teams…one was against a pathetic Minnesota team…and then their was the Dolphins in ‘04 who weren’t scaring anyone either. Oakland was also in the midst of melting down in ’03 after their Super Bowl collapse – and they still beat Cincy.

As Friar-B said…those examples mean nothing when you’re actually playing a good team with a good defense.

Yes…we should all be worried. But yes, we are going to remain hilariously optimistic.

Can I get a “Bratkowski STINKS” from anyone??

by JohnCockToastin on Sep 17, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey cut this out. We can’t have a good debate if we actually agree with one another! :)

OK just kidding.

Oh and you can definitely get a few dozen (more) of those out of me. Bratkowski STINKS.

by FriarBob on Sep 18, 2009 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions

brat doesnt stink

He blows ten yr old boys. He should be in jail!

by Diesel2405 on Sep 18, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I get the point but

If we put points on the board, we have to stop G B ‘s offense from putting points up also. Though I have a hunch that our D is up to the task. Hope it doesn’t turn out like week 2 of 07’. Here I go getting excited again!!!

by WHYUS!! on Sep 17, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

I think the offense will definitely put up more points this week (How could they not). What I am worried about though is turnovers. Week 1, not finishing drives killed us. Week 2, I hope turnovers don’t kill us.

by Jom12 on Sep 17, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

Bengals 27 - Packers 21

Carson shows old form in 1st half, almost blows it w/ poor game mgmt in 2nd half

by Yaccub Fleishcman on Sep 17, 2009 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

Well.....

We have also historically not made the playoffs. So… Maybe they can work on changing a few things…. but, yes, Scoring more points would be one of those things.

by chuckyj1 on Sep 17, 2009 6:41 PM EDT reply actions

Defense wins!

How about Roy Williams and mualuga crush a few skulls on Sunday and get some defensive TD’s? Who needs offense let’s score through special teams and defense and strike the fear of god in opposing offenses with our back breaking defense. In the words of Will Ferrel in Old School " Rip his fucking head off!" and after that hand the ball to benson and shove the ball so far down their throat that Rodgers ass falls asleep b/c he is sitting on the bench so long! They need to hire a motivational speaker to pump them up before e erygame so they go out and injure at least 3 people on every team they play! Screw GB they suck balls and barely beat that shitastic team from Chicago.

by Diesel2405 on Sep 17, 2009 7:12 PM EDT via mobile reply actions