Bengals Early Bird Special: Bengals Prepare to Face-Off Against Winless Colts

by Ryan Harper on Oct 11, 2011 8:01 AM EDT

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 09: Cornerbacks Nate Clements #22 and Leon Hall #29 of the Cincinnati Bengals tackle wide receiver Mike Thomas #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars October 9, 2011 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Good morning everyone! Time to rise and shine! You know the routine by now: wake up, get coffee, rush out to your car in hopes that you won't be late to work, get stuck in traffic, smack your head against your steering wheel in frustration, pull into a parking spot 45 minutes after you were suppose to be at work, sneak into your office in hopes your boss doesn't see you, and finally catch up on the latest Bengals news.

This Sunday the Bengals are going to be facing off against the Peyton Manning-less Colts. And since the Colts don't have a legitimate quarterback and a very bleak chance of winning any games this season, I thought I would reveal what COLTS stands for. It stands for: Count On Losing This Season. And if that's their new motto then they are certainly living up to it.

Indianapolis has looked like a team with no direction. It shows that without Peyton, they are nothing. Kerry Collins and Curtis Painter certainly don't leave any hope for the future....or this season. Does anyone see them going 0-16 this season? I know I can picture it. Especially with them having one of the worse offenses in the league and the second worst run defense.

Here is a great joke: the Colts winning on Sunday. I just don't see it happening with the way they have been playing compared to the way the Bengals have been playing. The best defense squaring-off against one of the worst offenses in the league. The odds are against Indianapolis and I would be amazed if they managed to get a victory on Sunday.

Alright here is a look at what you may have missed or overlooked from Monday.

Take a look at the Monday Touchdown.
Brandon Tate was brought into Cincinnati to replace Quan Cosby. And up to this point there are mixed emotions on his productivity.
Bengals first round pick A.J. Green is on pace to have an outstanding rookie season.
One of the Bengals strengths heading into the season was their running game. But due to inconsistent play during the first five games, it has to make you wonder where has the running game gone?
Peter King has finally given some recognition to the Bengals as he ranks them at No. 15 in his rankings. And at some point he believes that we have to "stop calling this a fluke." ("This" meaning the Bengals.)
According to a league source Cedric Benson met with the National Labor Relations Board. No word yet on a suspension for Benson.
Cincinnati's defensive stand(s) proved to be pivotal for the Bengals as they defeated Jacksonville on Sunday.
With the Bengals trailing 20-16 and looking at a fourth down situation, Jermaine Gresham came through for Cincinnati with a key reception on fourth down to keep the chains moving.
Alright, so everyone is probably tired of hearing about Carson Palmer, but with Andy Dalton now at the helm some have probably wondered how Dalton's performance through the first five games compares to Palmer's first five games of his career.
Bernard Scott's fourth quarter touchdown run was the play of the game as it proved to be the game-winning score for the Bengals.

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peas porridge in a pot…

"Suck for Luck"? Forget that
2010 was "Schemin’ for Green and Faultin’ for Dalton."

by supergrover on Oct 11, 2011 8:08 AM EDT reply actions

worried

I don’t know if it my several years of seeing the bengals lose games like this one coming up with Indy, or if its the fact of us not being able to pull away from teams this year, but I’m a little worried about this weekend, I would love to see us go out there and step on their throats in our home stadium and not let off until we win 35-3

by whodeydoc on Oct 11, 2011 8:13 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

+1

This young team has definitely played to the level of it’s competition. It’s also scary anytime you face a winless team in the NFL, IMO. I’m also concerned and think this will be anything but an easy game.

I hope I’m wrong and we see this team take another step by learning to put teams away early that they are supposed to win against. We obviously have a good chance to win, but at the same time ’any given sunday.

by C1ncy4Life on Oct 11, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Am also skeptical......

would love for us to win by more than 2 scores so I can relax a little and not almost suffer a heart attack during the 4th quarter, but just keep having this feeling that it probably won’t happen that way. This team needs to develop that killer instinct that puts these types of team away early, we need to score first and let our D do the rest. I am hoping this is the game that we come out and play that way……

by The Van Buren Boys on Oct 11, 2011 8:28 AM EDT reply actions

lol

I know it….I was thinking the same thing, I wish I could relax once during a Bengals game

by ticalcaldwell on Oct 11, 2011 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

As I said above, hopefully we witness this team take another huge step forward by learning to put away the weaker teams and not play to the level of their competition.

by C1ncy4Life on Oct 11, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Conan! What is Best in Life?

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

You can put your boots in the oven, but that don't make 'em biscuits.

by UpStateMike on Oct 11, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

ftfy

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their internet trolls.

"Suck for Luck"? Forget that
2010 was "Schemin’ for Green and Faultin’ for Dalton."

by supergrover on Oct 11, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

bengals have yet to dominate an opponent this season

any given sunday still applies. counting this as a win without showing up sunday will not end well for cincy.

bengals d needs to grind out the win while the offense limits its turnovers. we blink we lose.

provided cincy shows in indy and commits to playing the game rather than looking past the colts, cincy will come home with the win.

" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."

by palewook on Oct 11, 2011 9:18 AM EDT reply actions

"provided cincy shows in indy" "cincy will come home with the win."

This one is at home.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Oct 11, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

While this is a home game, I still agree

This young team needs to take a huge step forward and develop the killer instinct when facing opponents they are supposed to beat, especially at home.

Also, the Colts are a proud franchise and will continue to play hard all season, IMO. We should win, but nothing is guaranteed and given that we have played to the level of our competition so far, this is definitely NOT an easy win.

by C1ncy4Life on Oct 11, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Mathis and Freeney

The Colts pass rush is what worries me. I’m hoping the Bengals have a better time running the ball than they did last week because they’re going to need to incorporate a heavy dose of it in order to win (IMO). And I’d really like to see a rush for more than 8 yards. Hoping Scott sees a little more play time…I could see him tearing one off for a quick score.

by M Shop on Oct 11, 2011 9:22 AM EDT reply actions

Umm...

A little arrogant, don’t you think?

Did you see what Painter was able to do last week? This game is not a gimme, not even close.

by MrMcLargeHuge on Oct 11, 2011 9:22 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah. I wouldn't say they are a "bad" team.

The Colts are winless so far, but they still have many excellent players not named Peyton.

Painter is improving, and he has played catch nicely for 2 weeks now.

Colts have defensive bookends that can bullrush with the best of them.

I don’t need a blowout against the Colts to be happy. They can win by 1 point if they want to. Just win!

Wrong! Conan! What is best in life?

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

by UpStateMike on Oct 11, 2011 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions

painter is actually looking like the solution to the colts qb issue

the rest of the colts need to get their units in order. painter hasn’t cost the colts the last 2 games. he keeps playing the way he has and the colts will win some games this year.

" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."

by palewook on Oct 11, 2011 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Agree

I think we have to continue getting pressure on the QB with our DL.

I also think this is a game we need to see our Rushing Offense break out, which will help keep the Colts Pass Rushing DE slowed down. It will also keep us out of 3rd and long, which will also keep the Colts Pass Rushing DE at bay a little.

Whit and Andre need to have a big game. Not concerned about Whit, but not really liking the matchup with Andre and Mathis on passing downs. I am glad we have Bobbie back though.

by C1ncy4Life on Oct 11, 2011 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

They should have beat the Steelers

The reality is they missed a wide open Garcon going down the sideline for what would have been the winning TD. Overlooking this team could be a disaster in the making. I don’t think coaches will let that happen though. They made too many mistakes against Jacksonville and Marvin doesn’t look happy. I don’t think they will be celebrating anything for long this week. This seems to be a team that takes nothing for granted. I don’t care if they win by 3 or 30 just win.

"Next season will be better" circa 1990

by Yarin on Oct 11, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Agree

Painter has found quite a rhythm with Garcon – I believe they’ve combined for 4 TD’s in the last two games? And with Mathis and Freeney putting pressure on this o-line, I agree…this game is no gimme. The Colts are hungry for a win.

KC won by going to Bowe and I think Dalton will need to do the same by going to Green and Gresham.

by spif on Oct 11, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

When Gresham scores

The Bengals win. It’s been that simple this season.

by MrMcLargeHuge on Oct 11, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah this is almost as bad as when the browns were saying this about us

i say we play good and bad i could see us losing to the colts then beating the gb packers. we are a team that can pull of the best victories but can also give up the easiest win. i had the 49ers and denver as wins and should we have won those yes did we no.

by bengalsfanforlife on Oct 11, 2011 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

Colts Defense

Looks tougher than what people give credit for…Freeney and Mathis are beasts..

by ticalcaldwell on Oct 11, 2011 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

One thought I've had on the Colts

and I’m sure it’s just straight fiction. Are they working toward the Hunt for Luck. Keep Manning out so they have a chance at Luck to be groomed under Manning for a year or so…

by Oregonbengalsfan on Oct 11, 2011 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think Manning would go for that BUT

I also don’t think they would intentionally hold Manning out. With Manning they are a Super Bowl Contender every year, even on this team they would be.

Not many of the coaches that are at the top of the ‘Hunt for Luck’ will survive the worth record in the NFL. Caldwell WOULD survive the worth record. Since they don’t have Manning, I wonder if the Front Office isn’t hoping they get the #1 pick. Still though, the Colts are a proud franchise and hoping they get the #1 pick is a lot different then trying to lose.

I just do NOT see them actively trying to lose to get Luck, but I do think they would love that situation and are rooting for it to happen quietly.

by C1ncy4Life on Oct 11, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Quietly looking for a Manning replacement

Found this on NFL.com after making this comment.

Should the Colts use first-round pick on QB in 2012 draft?

Like I said, all speculation, but I could see them ‘quietly going for a replacement for Manning." It’s possible he doesn’t have much left on the field with this neck issue and the Colts could know that. Hell they could already be in the knowledge that he won’t play another snap for all we know.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Oct 11, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Found this on Stampede Blue

Jim Irsay Hearts Andrew Luck, Colts Players Don’t

by Oregonbengalsfan on Oct 12, 2011 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions

My keys to the game are....

Our Rushing Offense needs to have a good game. This will help in a lot of ways. It will help slow down Mathis, Freeney, and the Colts Pass Rush when we do pass. It will also help keep us out of 3rd and long where the Colts Pass Rush can “pin their ears back” and come after Dalton. We should be able to run against the Colts and I do look for Benson to have a solid game.

Our Pass Rush needs to get after Painter and force Painter into some uncomfortable situations, which could/should lead to some Turnovers. Hopefully our first INT by the secondary. Painter has played better then some expected, but the games I watched when he was pressured he didn’t look near as good as when he had time(I know that’s for almost every QB!)

Our Tackles (Whit and Smith) have to have a good game. Whit should do fine, though not sure how Smith will do. It definitely helps that Smith has Bobbie next to him. This is another area our Rushing Offense can help.

by C1ncy4Life on Oct 11, 2011 1:05 PM EDT reply actions