The Bengals have the third-ranked defense against the pass in the league, only giving up an average of 189 yards per game in the air. A lot of this has to do with an impressive pass rush from the defensive line that keeps quarterbacks from getting comfortable in the pocket but it also has to do with the team's secondary.
Here is a basic statistical breakdown of the Bengals secondary through the first six games of the 2011 season.
Week 1 (at Cleveland):
- Passing Yards Allowed: 213
- Tackles: Reggie Nelson (9), Nate Clements (4), Chris Crocker (3), Leon Hall (2), Gibril Wilson (1)
- Passes Defensed: Hall (2), Crocker (1), Clements (1), Nelson (2)
- Interceptions: Zero
- Stops (PFF -- solo defensive tackle which constitutes an offensive failure): Hall (1), Nelson (4), Crocker (2)
- Notes: Crocker forced one fumble
Week 2 (at Denver):
- Passing Yards Allowed: 195
- Tackles: Clements (5), Nelson (4), Wilson (2)
- Passes Defensed: Zero
- Interceptions: Zero
- Stops: Wilson (1), Nelson (1), Crocker (1)
- Notes: Nelson forced one fumble
Week 3 (San Francisco):
- Passing Yards Allowed: 201
- Tackles: Nelson (9), Clements (5), Crocker (5), Hall (4), Jennings (1)
- Passes Defensed: Clements (1)
- Interceptions: Zero
- Stops: Clements (3), Nelson (3), Crocker (1)
Week 4 (Buffalo):
- Passing Yards Allowed: 199
- Tackles: Hall (7), Nelson (7), Crocker (3), Jennings (1), Trent (1), Wilson (2)
- Passes Defensed: Clements (2), Nelson (1)
- Interceptions: Zero
- Stops: Hall (1), Trent (1), Nelson (4)
Week 5 (at Jacksonville):
- Passing Yards Allowed: 221
- Tackles: Clements (4), Nelson (3), Trent (4), Crocker (1), Hall (1), Wilson (1)
- Passes Defensed: Crocker (1)
- Interceptions: Zero
- Stops: Hall (1), Clements (4), Nelson (2)
Week 6 (Indianapolis):
- Passing Yards Allowed: 188
- Tackles: Clements (6), Hall (5), Nelson (7), Crocker (5), Wilson (3),
- Passes Defensed: Hall (2), Clements (3)
- Interceptions: Hall (1)
- Stops: Clements (1), Wilson (1), Nelson (1), Crocker (1)
- Notes: Nelson and Clements both forced one fumble each
Grade: B
Despite losing Johnathan Joseph in the offseason, the Bengals secondary has looked impressive throughout the first six games of the season. They only good passing team they played has been the Bills so far, though. Nate Clements has been good enough in pass defense and solid in run support.
The unit hasn't intercepted enough passes to be elite but the combination of a good pass rush and their initial coverage has been enough to make them the third best passing defense in the league.
When Adam Jones comes back to the team (as long as he isn't suspended) he'll help the secondary as an extra cornerback.
What grade would you give the Bengals secondary through the first six games of the 2011 season?