Despite Loss: Bengals Passing Offense Shows Signs Of Returning
by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 12, 2010 8:42 PM EDT
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Whether you blame the Bengals offensive slow start or the team's general defensive disaster that allowed 38 points, the Bengals as a whole looked far more unprepared compared to their their counterparts. It wasn't until midway through the second quarter that Cincinnati's offense picked up three first downs and by that time, the Patriots had taken nearly a 17-point lead.
It wasn't all for naught, though. There were positives. Am I referring to the overall product? No. The defense allowed four drives of 50 yards or more. Special teams play was just as suspect, allowing a touchdown on a kickoff to open the second half. Offensively, the Bengals went punt, punt, fumble, punt and interception to start the season. This doesn't look like the product of a team vying for the playoffs in 2010, does it? Not to be so epically pessimistic after 1/16th of the season is completed or anything.
On the other hand, even though the Bengals started so poorly through the first five drives of the season, they would go on to achieve plenty of success. In the first three possessions of the second half, the Bengals offense would score three touchdowns, averaging 12.6 plays and 76.3 yards per drive.
Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco each had tremendous second half performances, enabled by the fact the Bengals were down 28 points by the time they touched the ball in the second half. Chad recorded 10 receptions for 136 yards receiving and a touchdown. Carson Palmer completed 22 of 31 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns, computing to a 111.6 passer rating in the second half. While the numbers are great, and the Bengals overall passing offense really blossomed in the second half, one must account that the Patriots are reverting to prevent-like coverages.
Still, it's encouraging to see that the Bengals passing offense can take off if need be. With guys like Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens combining for 19 receptions for 212 yards receiving, or two rookies (Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham) combining for 11 receptions for 107 yards receiving, it must bring about optimism with the team's overall passing offense.
However, even with all of that, Palmer's pick-six with about five minutes left in the first half, allowed the Patriots to take a 24-0 lead, putting the Bengals into an impossible position for any possible comeback while on the road, at a stadium that hasn't seen the home team lose on opening weekend for some time. The opening second half kickoff return by the Patriots pushed the Bengals into a 28-point deficit that they'd be unable to recover from.
This team, especially the defense, obviously has a lot to work on, ranging from a passing defense that watched an incredibly efficient Tom Brady march down the field to a rush defense that allowed a 5.1 yard-per-rush average on 23 carries. And it's the defense that will quickly need to get themselves righted, with so many talented offenses they'll be facing this year.
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the Bengals kept fighting until the end.
in years past, they would have given up at the half. Hopefully, they’ll learn from this and put in the extra preparation required to be great.
"Ryan, Things in here don't react too well to bullets." - Marko Ramius
my excpectations are way higher than yours...this was miserable to watch
by JamesShively on Sep 12, 2010 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Miserable
but not as bad as the season finale against the Jets last year. They didn’t give up.
This is our year!
I agree
I had hoped they would beat the Patriots to prove to me that they can hang with any team. IT was hard to watch the defense struggle so much. But the team played hard to the end, and I think that kind attitude will help down the stretch. Next they have the Ravens, so they will need to be ready in a hurry.
I'm not defending their performance today, just noting that they did not pack it in during adversity like so many past Bengals teams did
they have a lot of work to do to fix the problems. THat said, this team has enough talent to compete with anybody. This should serve as a wake up call.
"Ryan, Things in here don't react too well to bullets." - Marko Ramius
Exactly
I’m not that worried. The Bengals lost to the Broncos who would eventually end their season at 8-8 while the Bengals continued into the post season last year. One loss on opening day doesn’t worry too much and it’s Mike Zimmer as our DC. That’s the last guy I would worry about not having the team ready for next week.
I mostly agree
But I am disappointed that we seemed so unprepared for the first game of the season! It’s one thing to look unprepared on a short week late in the season, but for the first game? Frustrating.
However, I do think Zimmer will get the D’s act together, and hopefully next week will be a better performance.
by wildcatfaninexile on Sep 13, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Loss to Broncos
When you lost to the Broncos it was just a freak play at the end of the game. The Pats just slaughtered you in the first half. I think they brought Jim Plunket out to play in the second half. The running game looked non existent and passing worked when they laid off 8-10 yards.
Defense defently needs a lot of work, BUT
Lets not forget we were playing the Patriots. It’s not like the Browns were pushing us all over the field.
That's what I think.
There’s something to be said for Tom Brady. When he’s on, he’s unbeatable. Sometimes you draw Brady on the wrong day. However, the linebackers HAVE to do a better job in coverage going forward. That was a problem last year too.
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by Pardon_My_French on Sep 12, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
If we want to win a championship
it’s not the Browns we are going to need to beat.
Outcoached
Every year this team needs a ‘wake up call.’ IMO the biggest difference between the pats and bengals yesterday wasnt talent. It was the ability of the coaching staff to have their players prepared, put them in situations to succeed and exploit weaknesses. Pats staff had their guys ready to play. Bengals did not.
Agreed. People here can wail and gnash their teeth, but it wasn't that huge of a loss.
The game was essentially decided by the fact that the Bengals gave up two turnovers and came up with none. That, and they gave up a kickoff runback, which probably won’t happen again this year. As for the offensive line, it gave up one sack. So let’s try and keep some sense of perspective.
i disagree the passing offense was not what it should be..
The line was a joke…the playcalling was a joke and palmers decisions wasn’t no where near worth what we pay him for… the z-fence was more like a broken fence… the offense is still so predictable my neice could play madden better..
I agree with you for the most part, but it’s a good thing this happening now. I’m sure a ton of adjustments and tweaks are going to be made on both sides of the ball. But at this point, they’re not division contenders
We shouldn't
have to rely on a no huddle for the offense to start clicking. This past off season all I heard was the Bengals were still a “running” team. It sure didn’t look like it. From the very first play, they wanted to throw the ball. The offensive play calling wasn’t great, but it was the defense who could not generate a pass rush let alone, line up properly. When an offense lines up with trips left, the defense should have THREE defenders on that side, NOT TWO!
by sgiridharan1982 on Sep 12, 2010 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
not just 2 players
But 2 CBs to play against 2TEs and 1WR. Mismatch?
www.fantasydaddy.com
by Joe Goodberry on Sep 13, 2010 5:58 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
there's a lot of orange
koolaid drinkers around
by occams_tiger_teeth on Sep 12, 2010 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I am a big
baseball fan as well as football and one thing that is said in the beginning of a season after a loss is that this is marathon not a race. Well, this is football and the race is on and losing early can bite you in the arse b/c there are fewer games. The Bengals need to look at the film and fix the problems before they are out of the race! I am not saying that one needs to panic but one needs to take this loss seriously and improve. Time is of the essence!!
If they lose Sunday
very few teams start 0-2 and turn it around (14%)
by occams_tiger_teeth on Sep 12, 2010 10:52 PM EDT reply actions
Keep in mind
that’s because more often than not the teams that start 0-2 outright suck. The exceptions are the good teams that play other good teams. That said, the Baltimore game is HUGE.
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by Pardon_My_French on Sep 12, 2010 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions
general defensive disaster?
the defense gave up 3 tds and a field goal. pats d gave up 3tds and a field goal.we were playing an offensive thats been together for years. if we even try to establish the run early it’s a different game.
Patriots were playing a very vanilla defense in the 2nd half
No blitzes, less shifting of personnel, etc. Plus, they put their d-backs in off man, meaning they were giving Bengals receivers 8-10 yard cushions and the underneath plays. The result was ballooned passing stats for the Bengals, although I was impressed with how they never quit. But lets be honest, this game was over as soon as Tate returned the opening kick of the 2nd half for a touchdown
Didn't see the game
Did the Bengals cut down on penalties?
Yes
I was very surprised with the lack of penalties. But I think it had something to do with the fact that they were down 4 TDs at one point and couldn’t generate any offense in the first half.
by sgiridharan1982 on Sep 12, 2010 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Our offense shows signs of returning?
To what? To the same stagnating predictable offense that we’ve had for the past 3 years?
by jimbasa on Sep 13, 2010 12:18 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Wow....
1 loss and true colors come pouring out. Find a new team to follow.
by Throw the ball on Sep 13, 2010 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm not on the bandwagon as you might be.
Ive been loyal ever since I was introduced to the greatest sport in the world. A true fan shows discontent and emotion towards performances like yesterdays. You seem like you’re in the hopeium camp or living dead, either one, don’t be afraid to protest.
Two things stand out for me in the game
Only looking at the 1st half-where escentialy the game was lost.
1)Carson had people in his face and little time to throw.
2)Brady had all day to sit in the pocket and find his 3rd or 4th option.
In summary, the O-line and the D-line need improvement.
Our D'line got very little pressure on Brady
That is a big concern. Although I saw a blatant, yet missed, holding call on the 3rd and 11 play. Any QB can make big throws if his O’line is allowed to hold and give him the amount of time Brady had..
Offense looked awful
Sorry, but I don’t really buy the stats. The Patriots were in a prevent the whole 2nd half. They barely blitzed and their shifting of personnel was non existent.
Plus, I hate to say it, but Palmer’s arm looked weak. If you watch him after watching Brady, Rodgers, or any other QB with a decent arm, you see that Palmer looks like Pennington. Those bullets that we were used to are a thing of the past.
Vince Wilfork
He did anything he wanted, whenever he wanted. Kyle Cook and Nate Livings were his little bitches yesterday. Once the game was out of hand, when the Pats weren’t being aggresive on D, did the Bengals start to score.
The D-Line was just as bad. Tom Brady could have had a picnic every time he dropped back to pass.
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...
@btcoop71
Suspect Coaching
Tight End uncovered down the sideline? Followed by Two TEs & Welker out wide against two DBs for a screen/pick TD? 7 points.
Kick-off return off a dribbled ball straight up the middle? 7 points.
Three plays of bad defensive alignments giving up 14 points on the road against a play-off team? Can’t win doing that.
Couple that with Tom Brady sitting back in the pocket all afternoon with not pressure.
Zimmer has to take some of the blame for this one.
I agree that things need to be tightened up a bunch but
This was IMO a coaching loss. We were not prepared and went against a team on the road who was uber prepared. As soon as 2 TEs and Welker overloaded the left side a time out should have been called. That is just one example. I would not want to be in the meetings today. IMO – no day off – there is too much work to do. Zimmer has to be fuming. He probably won’t be able to speak for several days after yelling so much today.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
Ravens kicked ass tonight
5 first downs for the Jets, at home in NY. Anquan Boldin was the most productive receiver for the Ratbirds, showing again why Ozzie Newsome has that reputation for being a great personnel guy.
The Bengals will need a miracle to win this week. The Ravens are more than for real.
by occams_tiger_teeth on Sep 13, 2010 10:38 PM EDT reply actions
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