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Percy Harvin expected to start for Bills vs. Bengals
Rex Ryan says the Bills are ready to unleash Percy Harvin this week. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor wants to get him the ball more. Offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn says he’ll probably start.
By The Number Game Preview: Week 11
When the Bengals drafted A.J. Green and Andy Dalton in 2011, they were on a 10-game losing streak to Buffalo. They are 3-0 since with wins over three different head coaches, Chan Gailey, Doug Marrone, and Rex Ryan. Green has two 100-yard games against the Bills while Dalton has a 96 career passer rating against them.
“Rex Ryan is a ground and pound guy. In the eight years he’s been a coach in the NFL, only one time has his team thrown the football more than they’ve run it. He believes in that ground game. “The Bengals are going to have to stay in their gaps, get off the blocks and tackle. “Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back LeSean McCoy can get it done. They will make you miss.”
Matchup of the Game: a matter of time
The theories abound, but no one has any answers when it comes to the Bengals’ inconsistencies while protecting quarterback Andy Dalton this season. All they know is Sunday’s matchup at Paul Brown Stadium (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 19) is a stat buffet for the Bills. They come in here with the most sacks in the league and the most sacks per pass and face a Bengals team that has already allowed Dalton to be sacked more times than he has been in three of his five previous seasons and put him on pace to be the first Bengals quarterback to be sacked 50 times in a season
In team meeting, Lewis calls for veterans to take reins
In his regular team address on Wednesday, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis took a roll call of sorts. He called out years gone by, asking the players in the room who were present for those campaigns to raise their hand. For many on the 53-man roster, the 3-5-1 record to date is a culture shock. For those who joined the team from 2012 through 2015, winning divisions and 10-plus games is all that has been known.
Taft's Adolphus Washington on NFL homecoming: ‘Don’t lose'
True time off is hard to come by for an NFL rookie, as their first professional season often begins the day after their final college game. They begin preparing for the combine, pro days, interviews and private workouts. Then the draft comes, and it’s off to rookie camp and then into the league machine that rarely slows. Adolphus Washington is happily living in the machine now, fulfilling a lifelong dream as a third-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills.
Bengals vs. Bills: Predictions, 3 keys
Beat writers Jim Owczarski and Paul Dehner, Jr. offer up their predictions for the game Sunday afternoon and three keys to a Bengals victory.
Currently on PUP, Brandon Thompson will return to practice next week
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said that defensive tackle Brandon Thompson will return to practice next week after spending the first 11 weeks of the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list. Week 11 is the last week teams can bring a player on PUP back to practice.
Bengals' offensive line woes illustrated in viral screen shot
The picture depicts Andy Dalton being sacked on third-and-17 with 3:41 remaining in an eventual 21-20 loss. As four Giants defenders surround Dalton, the five Bengals offensive lineman are in various states of duress. Right guard Kevin Zeitler is on the ground watching what's happening. Right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi is almost face-first in the turf. Left guard Clint Boling is falling to the ground as center Russell Bodine is trying to pull a Giants defender away from Dalton. Whitworth has risen after being briefly knocked down on one knee.
AFC North Bytes
Le'Veon Bell won't apologize for patient running: 'I'm controlling the pace'
Watching Ezekiel Elliott and Le'Veon Bell get after it in Week 10 was a love letter to rock-toting aficionados everywhere. Bell is the smooth, versatile rusher/receiver, while Elliott is wildly explosive through the hole on his way to an MVP campaign (thanks in part to the Steelers' defense). But Bell's rushing style can be difficult to figure out. Even the men blocking for him find it a unique experience. Bell waits, and waits, and waits some more, slow-cooking his runs until his rushing lanes have the right seasoning.
Joe Flacco Replies to Ray Lewis' Comments About His Lack of Passion
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco didn't seem too pleased with comments made by former teammate Ray Lewis, questioning his passion for the game. On Friday, Flacco spoke to the media as his teammates shouted words of encouragement, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com
Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey stalks ball-carriers and team's first win
It may be incredulous to think a defense ranked 31st in yards and points allowed has a player having a breakout season, but that may be the case with the Browns. Smack in the middle of an historically bad defense, one giving up 30 points a game, Christian Kirksey toils unfailingly in obscurity. The third-year linebacker is having a very good year in a very bad year.
Random Bytes
Pete Carroll says Seahawks snatched Russell Wilson before Eagles could draft him
Andy Reid might still be coaching the Philadelphia Eagles if he got the quarterback he wanted, Russell Wilson, in the 2012 draft. Instead, Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider snatched Wilson with the 75th pick, leading to a call from a displeased Reid.
Rams DE Robert Quinn says dehydration sent him to hospital
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn says he was dehydrated when he spent a night in the hospital this week. Quinn returned to practice Friday with the Rams (4-5). The veteran pass-rusher hasn't decided whether he'll try to play against the Miami Dolphins (5-4) on Sunday.
Rob Gronkowski (lung) out for Patriots vs. 49ers
New England's Rob Gronkowski won't be on the field Sunday in San Francisco. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday that the Patriots tight end was not aboard the team plane as coaches and players prepared to fly west to face the 49ers, per a source informed of the situation. The Patriots later confirmed that Gronkowski has been officially ruled out for Week 11.
Luke Kuechly in concussion protocol following hit
The Carolina Panthers won Thursday night's game but lost their star linebacker. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Friday that Luke Kuechly is in concussion protocol following a hit late in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 23-20 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Rivera provided no other details about the Kuechly's injury and didn't provide a timeline as to when he might return.