Both Sides Of The Statistical Coin

by Naji Bsisu on Nov 7, 2011 3:09 PM EST

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 06: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball and is tackled by Reggie Nelson #20 and Manny Lawson #99 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL game at LP Field on November 6, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Here is our week 9 statistical breakdown of the Bengals - Titans game. We will begin with five good stats followed by five bad stats.

Statistics that make you smile

Andy Dalton throws for 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. It wasn't the prettiest game, but Dalton managed to get it done when it mattered. He threw three touchdowns to three different receivers without turning the ball over.
3 different receivers caught touchdown passes. Dalton gets the credit for spreading the ball around, but it's great news for A.J. Green. This will take some pressure off Green, allowing him to be all the more successful.
Carlos Dunlap racks up 2 sacks. Dunlap really came on strong in the second half with two big sacks. Getting consistent pressure from the defensive line will help the secondary from getting carved up.
Bengals went 8 for 16 on 3rd down conversions. The Bengals had been struggling with converting on 3rd down all season and had a great game against the Titans.
Bengals win turnover battle. The Bengals were able to go the entire game without turning the football over one time, while Nate Clements managed to force a turnover in the 4th quarter. Winning the turnover battle is key in beating teams on a consistent basis.

Statistics that make you frown

Benson averaged less than 4 yards per carry. Coming into this game the Titans had one of the worst run defenses and Benson should have been more successful. The Bengals as a team only averaged 3.6 yards per rush.
Brandon Tate only averaged 1.8 yards per punt return. After his success last week, most Bengals fans were expecting Tate to continue having success. He struggled all game and will need to pick it up to maintain his job once Adam Jones gets healthy.
The Bengals had 9 penalties for 87 yards. Last week we were willing to overlook some of the false starts due to the crowd noise in Seattle. There are no such excuses this week. The team needs to play with more discipline.
Matt Hasselbeck passes for 272 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. A week after getting carved up by Tavaris Jackson, the Bengals secondary should have been ready to prove it was just a fluke by shutting down Hasselback. Their struggle in back to back weeks does not bode well for when they have to face Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Chris Johnson gets going. Johnson was able to average 4.6 yards per carry as well as recording 4 receptions for 46 yards. He had been largely shut down this entire year and the Bengals let him get going in the first half. They were able to step it up in the second half and slow him down, but they can't afford to let that happen too often.

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Comments

Benson still had 3.9

Not great, but that’s what we’ve come to know about Benson. I think we can all agree that 2009 was a statistical anomaly.

by cincyplayoffwin2012 on Nov 7, 2011 3:21 PM EST reply actions

Not great but servicable

Im ok with anything over 3.3 ypc and over 20 carries a game.

On a side note I think he gave one of their linemen a cncussion also… I like that sort of punishment available to hit the ravens and steelers.

by TheVilified on Nov 7, 2011 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

He ran the ball much better though

I rewatched the game on NFL Rewind and there were a lot of good runs called back by holding calls and illegal shifts, etc… For the most part the calls were away from the play and didn’t seem to be the reason for the yards he gained.

I’d say if they hadn’t had the penalties he would easily have went over 100.

FWIW, I’m not a Benson fan and I’ve been critical of him in the past.

by C1ncy4Life on Nov 7, 2011 7:30 PM EST up reply actions

1. Andy Dalton throws for 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.

While Carson Palmer throws for 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

Be glad cincy, be oh so glad about the way this worked out. Andy is the future and a bright one at that.

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

by palewook on Nov 7, 2011 3:45 PM EST reply actions

AMEN!

by Unbeliever on Nov 7, 2011 3:47 PM EST up reply actions

if palmer didnt quit no dalton for us

by rudebengal18 on Nov 7, 2011 3:51 PM EST reply actions

Carson Palmer

Bengals MVP.

by LooseCannon on Nov 7, 2011 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

How many of Hasselbeck's yards

came from the garbage play at the end of the game?? The secondary actually played that smart with no defender going in for the kill until everyone was accounted for.

by Marc57 on Nov 7, 2011 4:06 PM EST reply actions

not many

hasselbeck played extremely well in the first half, which is when we gave up most of our yards, both passing and rushing

by dqniel on Nov 7, 2011 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

Hasselbeck gained 46 yards on the final drive including

30 yards on the final play.

Our D held him to less then 60 yards in the second half, prior to that final drive. Obviously that along with stuffing the run and Dalton were the reason we won the game.

by C1ncy4Life on Nov 7, 2011 7:32 PM EST up reply actions

Penalties. Uuuughhh

You know, I have to say that at least the refs were equally ridiculous with their penalty calling yesterday. Man, just bad. Not an excuse for the team, but they sure made things more difficult than they had to be. The good news is Dalton and Co. just kept banging and making big plays as they needed to be made.

Naji, you forgot to add in the dropped/missed catches. Green, did great. As did our TEs (huzzahh!), but Simpson and Caldwell made me cringe.

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 Nov 7, 2011 4:08 PM EST reply actions

9 penalties for 87 yards

Nate ivings – false start, and holding for 15 yds.
Simpson holding, 10 yds
Andre Smith – Holding 10 yds
Williams – Holding 10 yds
Offense illegal shift for 5 yards.
And Green for illegal fomtion (not enforced)

That is 50 of the 87.. Gotta FIX this to beat the Steelers.

I represent the Bengals of Cincinnati with extreme passion and prejudice and make no apologies for it!

by Law1951 on Nov 8, 2011 2:41 AM EST up reply actions

end-of-half TD is on Zimmer

I realize the blitz wasn’t working too well to that point, but I could not believe we were sending three rushers in that situation. They have 14 seconds left and no timeouts on the 16 yard-line – we know for sure they’re throwing into the endzone. Get in Hasselbeck’s face and force him to check down short of the endzone. I love Zimmer obviously, but this was a huge mistake. Especially with Kelly Jennings out there.

Run, pass, or boot!

by steveo96 on Nov 7, 2011 4:22 PM EST reply actions