Here is our week 10 statistical breakdown of the Bengals - Steelers game. We will begin with five good stats followed by five bad stats.
Statistics that make you smile
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Bernard Scott averaged 5.4 yards per carry. Bernard had a good game against a tough defense, proving to the coaches that he needs to continue to split carries with Cedric Benson. Additionally, the offense just seemed to respond well when Scott was in the game.
- Andrew Hawkins racked up 5 receptions for 56 yards. With A.J. Green missing a large part of the game combined with Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell struggling to get separation and catch the ball it was great to see Hawkins step up. He has proven himself to be a gamer and deserves a larger role in this offense.
- Robert Geathers registers 1.5 sacks. With Carlos Dunlap out of the game, Geathers steps up and gets some pressure on Roethlisberger. The Bengals racked up five total sacks this game. Extremely impressive when you consider how hard it is to take Big Ben down.
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The Bengals defense holds the Steelers scoreless in the 4th quarter. The defense stepped up big when the team needed them and shut out the Steelers giving the Bengals offense multiple chances to tie the game.
- The Bengals offensive line does not give up a sack. In Andy Dalton's first game against the Steelers the offensive line was able to protect him for the most part, allowing him to make some plays down the field.
Statistics that make you frown
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Benson averaged less than 4 yards per carry again. Benson continues to struggle running the ball effectively for this team. He needs to step it up in order to take some pressure off Dalton. If he continues to be out-played by Scott he may continue loosing more and more carries as the weeks go on.
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The Bengals were held scoreless in the 4th quarter. With the Bengals defense stepping out and holding the Steelers scoreless in the 4th, Dalton and company needed to step it up and make something happen.
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The Bengals defense allowed 18 passing first downs. In comparison the Bengals offense only managed 14 total first downs. The secondary is going to be facing a huge challenge in trying to recover from the loss of Leon Hall.
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Dalton throws two interceptions. Considering this was his first game against the Steelers blitz happy 3-4 defense, and he was playing from behind for a large portion of the game, Dalton handled himself pretty well. He will learn from these mistakes and continue to improve.
- Jerome Simpson held without a catch. As the Bengals number two wide receiver, the Bengals and Dalton needed Simpson to step up when Green was injured. Simpson failed to make plays, and the Bengals struggled to move the ball.