:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49471/151727310.jpg)
The Cincinnati Bengals Player Power Rankings is a weekly ranking system that not only figures the best players on the team, but the players playing the best. Despite being out of their control, injuries and inactives are huge hits largely because they're not contributing. Several offensive player made a jump after last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, especially the offensive linemen. On the other hand, as one can predict, the defense fell pretty hard.
| Rank | Player | Last Week | Change | Notes |
|
1 |
A.J. Green |
1 |
-- |
Besides dropping two passes, Green was the focal point of the Bengals offense and the Ravens defense. |
|
2 |
Geno Atkins |
2 |
-- |
Despite having two quarterback sacks to start the season, Atkins didn't have a big presence during the rest of the game. |
|
3 |
Andrew Whitworth |
3 |
-- |
He looked like the old Whit we're used to seeing. He didn't have to face Suggs, but he eased my concerns for now. |
|
4 |
Andy Dalton |
4 |
-- |
Dalton didn't win or lose the game. Against teams like Baltimore, he's going to need to lead this team to victory. That's what franchise quarterbacks do. |
|
5 |
Reggie Nelson |
6 |
-- |
Nelson was the defensive back that didn't embarrass himself. He could've taken some better angles to the ball carrier, but he's always done that. |
|
6 |
Andre Smith |
9 |
+2 |
Andre Smith continued to show improved run blocking which has been his biggest remaining flaw. |
|
7 |
Mike Nugent |
10 |
+2 |
The teams keep calling on their kicker instead of scoring in the red zone; Nugent answers every call. |
|
8 |
Benjarvus Green-Ellis |
12 |
+3 |
The Law Firm was better than expected. He ran hard and tough. He didn't do so well in pass protection though. |
|
9 |
Leon Hall |
7 |
-3 |
Hall was in tight coverage all night, he seemed a split second off and Flacco was making it rain. I can't totally blame Leon. |
|
10 |
Jermaine Gresham |
8 |
-3 |
Gresham did his disappearing act again. He collected a few garbage time catches and took blame for Dalton's only interception. |
|
11 |
Carlos Dunlap |
11 |
-1 |
Dunlap missed a crucial game on Monday night and the pass rush was severely lacking. |
|
12 |
Domata Peko |
13 |
-- |
Peko held his spot in the running game but couldn't offer anything as a pass rusher = Nothing new |
|
13 |
Clint Boling |
18 |
+4 |
After preseason and one game, I'm ready to declare Clint Boling the Bengals LG of the future. He was very good in pass protection and efficient blocking Ngata in the run. |
|
14 |
Andrew Hawkins |
20 |
+5 |
Hawkins was heavily involved in the passing game and I expect that to continue. I didn't see the same spark on special teams as his role on offense increased. |
|
15 |
Manny Lawson |
14 |
-2 |
Lawson, at the least, is supposed to cover TEs well, right? He didn't cover anything Monday night. |
|
16 |
Nate Clements |
16 |
-1 |
Nate let up a key 3rd & 1 to Ray Rice and had a bad Interference penalty in the end zone, but he looked good at safety. |
|
17 |
Rey Maualuga |
15 |
-3 |
Rey is unphysical, slow-to-react, and gets lost in traffic. He's more of a liability against the run than he is the pass at this point. That's saying something. |
|
18 |
Michael Johnson |
17 |
-2 |
The Bengals needed an outside pass rusher to step up this week. Johnson couldn't deliver. |
|
19 |
Bernard Scott |
19 |
-1 |
Scott sat out Monday night and BJGE had his way with the Ravens. If this is going to be a committee approach, Scott better get healthy real quick. |
|
20
|
Chris Pressley | - | - | BenJarvus Green-Ellis had a good game against the Baltimore Ravens. And most of the time he ran right behind fullback Chris Pressley. |
OFF THE LIST: Thomas Howard
ON THE RISE: Armon Binns, Jeff Faine, Kevin Zeitler and Jeromy Miles
ON THE FALL: Brandon Tate, Taylor Mays