Andy Dalton and Hue Jackson express confidence in Jermaine Gresham

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham is the self-titled villain for this team in 2014. It's not the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens or Cleveland Browns... it's Gresham. And the funny thing is that most of you are violently nodding your head in complete approval.

Against the New England Patriots, Gresham missed two very catchable passes, one a touchdown in the first half and the other a wide-open drag route that Andy Dalton showed visible frustration on. After Sunday's debacle was over, we agreed with Gresham's title as the villain.

Don't worry.

The team is still expressing outward confidence in Gresham.

"You can't lose confidence in him because [other players] have got to see it in me, especially as the quarterback, that I still believe in him," Dalton said via ESPN. "And I do. He's a good player and at the end of the day, you've just got to make the play."

Gresham has seen 13 targets this year, posting eight receptions, in four games, for 61 yards receiving. He's on pace to post career-low numbers, and it's not even close. At this rate, he'll finish sixth on the team in yards receiving.

Jackson agrees with Dalton.

"It's early in the season. Keep playing. He'll get to where he needs to be," Jackson said via ESPN. "I have a lot of confidence in him, I haven't lost any confidence in him at all. He just has to make those plays when they present themselves."

With A.J. Green likely joining Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert in the team's infirmary this weekend, Cincinnati needs Gresham to come out of his funk.