Cincinnati Bengals Lose Top Defensive-Ranking To The Pittsburgh Steelers
by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 17, 2011 12:45 AM EDT
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PrintThe Cincinnati Bengals came into Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts as the top-ranked defense, allowing only 279.6 yards/game. Mike Zimmer and the bruise-making machine of midnight terror limited Indianapolis to 273 yards of total offense, reducing Cincinnati's average to 278.5 yards/game. Obviously when one holds the top ranking and plays above said average, which is tops in the NFL, they clearly would hold onto that ranking.
Not really.
The Pittsburgh Steelers rolled into the weekend as the league's second-ranked defense, allowing 282.8 yards/game. Pittsburgh hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars, who the Bengals held to to 296 yards, barely pulling out a 17-13 win on Sunday after the Jaguars' 10-point second half came within four points as time expired. However Jacksonville only posted 209 yards of offense on Sunday, helping the Steelers claim the top ranking in the NFL with an average 270.5 yards/game.
On the other hand, defense isn't just about yards allowed, is it?
Cincinnati has forced nine turnovers, seven fumbles and two interceptions. Two of those fumbles have been returned for touchdowns and the defensive turnovers have also led to 37 points by the Bengals (23 points scored by the offense off a turnover, or roughly 17% of the team's scoring output if you factor touchdown returns by Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins).
Regardless the Bengals will hit the bye week while the Steelers head to Arizona. Cincinnati's next opponent at Paul Brown Stadium will be those same Pittsburgh Steelers on November 13.
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What about "Special Teams"?
Who has the better “Special Teams” play? Consistently the Bengas have punted, and defended punts, and kick-offs well. I think Mike N has only missed 2 field-goals?? They have kept us in games by tackling well, which allowed the defense to hold them, us to get the ball, and Dalton to orchestrate wins!
We are still number 1 “D” in my view…
I represent the Bengals of Cincinati with extreme passion and prejudice and make no apologies for it!
#1 Defense is simply calculated by yards per game
but all the other stuff, turnovers, points off turnovers etc. also apply to other teams when we were no.1- the argument goes both ways, not just for us.
we have a great defense. but its not the best. neither is pittsburgs. we should also consider who we have played and injuries etc. would love to see us get more t/o’s mainly interceptions and more sacks.
dont get me wrong, i love our bengals but defensive ranking is bogus
by 70sav on Oct 17, 2011 7:27 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
It sure was nice to see the Bengals at the top of the collective pile for Defense though.
When our offense can dominate the day better, it will help lower the other teams yardage. Wallace and Mendelbaum were making play after play and ate up huge chunks of time while gaining huge tracks of land.
What everyone has to say is that any team facing the Bengals/Steelers/Ravens defenses should add some extra padding to their QB’s midsection that day.
Wrong! Conan! What is best in life?
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.
Mendelbaum! Mendelbaum! Mendelbaum!
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 17, 2011 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is where I am lost
The only defensive stat I think that should matter in the discussion of #1 defense is points allowed. In my book, that means Baltimore has the best D for the time being.
by hachigo! on Oct 17, 2011 8:23 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
True...
Points allowed, third down conversion rate and red zone efficiency give you a much more accurate reading of how a defense is performing. Pitt leads in yardage most years. I’d take the dominance on third down and red zone over the between the 20’s flash!
by nightraven00 on Oct 17, 2011 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions
There are some big weaknesses to that argument though
What if, like in the Steelers case earlier in the season, your offense is constantly giving up the ball in your own redzone or they are giving up points by returns? It makes it a lot easier to score on the defense, but that isn’t all the defenses fault.
The best way to rank defenses (and offenses for that matter) is an accumulation of several stats like Y/P, sacks, turnovers, etc.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 17, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
The colts exposed the Defense
If anyone wants to beat us. just do no huddle offense. No rotation of 8 man d-line = ass kicking.
pretty sad that a visiting team can do this
but when only 2/3 of the seats are sold, that’s what happens…
by bengaljohnboy on Oct 17, 2011 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Colts have been running a no huddle for like 9 years.
Bengals probably didn’t plan for it, b/c Painter hadn’t shown it yet.
Whoops.
Change gone come mane! Trust me! Cause i Bleed tigerblood!--Jerome Simpson
I said the same yesterday
No huddle running game would be tough for us to defend. 4-2 baby!!!
by quickslant on Oct 17, 2011 9:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No Maulauga hurt us big time
What do you do when there's no way out? Find a way to get deeper in it.
by jimbasa on Oct 17, 2011 9:52 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Bengals D is coming alive!
Even though they lost the yardage ranking, Leon Hall got a pick, they are forcing fumbles at a crazy rate and Michael Johnson got his first sack. If they continue that kind of play, the yardage totals won’t matter since they will kill drives with turnovers and sacks. Most importantly, they are keeping the offense in games!!! Give Dalton a manageable score to overcome and this kid will make it happen! So exciting to see the Bengals dominate on both sides of the ball right now!!!
it was Michael Johnson's third sack.
Just sayin….
by ddbumpus on Oct 17, 2011 9:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You're right!
He’s at 2.5! I really like Johnson and I think he can destroy from RE since people know Dunlap is coming from LE like a cyclone!
by nightraven00 on Oct 17, 2011 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions
The bengals defense can only get better....
With Maualuga, rivers, jones, jennings, and Moch coming back after the bye… the defense should be better…
AMAS
It's just a ranking
We are still ranked #2 only 8 ypg behind Pittsburgh. This defense is still good and the guys want that #1. This should give them one more thing to keep the hunger alive. The one or two big plays per game have been the difference in the ranking. Eliminate those plays every game and we get that #1 back again— with ease..
"Next season will be better" circa 1990
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