Bengals Bytes (10/26): Don’t sleep on the Bengals

Colts go full Belichick and say they are 'on to Cincinnati'
Whether or not T.Y. Hilton has made all of his apologies in the locker room, the Colts are, in the words of Bill Belichick, "on to Cincinnati."

TDBH: Anderson follows Lapham for late TD that keeps Bengals rolling at 6-0

The best start in Bengals history is nearly derailed today by the lowly Falcons even though they knock out quarterback Steve Bartkowski on his only pass of the day that just so happens to be a touchdown and intercept the back-up quarterbacks five times. When Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson chooses to run in a bootleg from three yards out with 2:04 left in the game, they survive, 21-14, to move to 6-0.

Hobson's Choice: Bengaldom seeks answers
More plays like the 22-yarder on Sunday’s third-and-eight and you’d think he’ll get some more. But for as much ink as the tackle rotation is getting, how about what is going on behind A.J. Green and Brandon LaFell and slot receiver Tyler Boyd out with a sprained knee?

Lewis, Dalton News Conferene Transcripts 10/25
In preparing for the Colts, the thing that’s evident is, as the quarterback — (Jacoby) Brissett — is continuing to play within their offense, his comfort (is showing). When you watch on tape, you see the strength of his arm and his ability to reach the outside part of the field, as well as push the ball vertically. He has played without interceptions, which is causing him – maybe – to get trapped a couple more times in the pocket, because he’s not careless with the football, (which is) very evident.

Slants and screens: Bengals hope to get handle; Adam Jones limited; Core battling concussion
A defense that had been on a historic club-setting pace until it allowed 29 points and 420 yards in Pittsburgh last Sunday is part of a dubious NFL record. The Bengals have gone 17 straight games without recovering an opponent’s fumble heading into Sunday’s game (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 12) against the Colts at Paul Brown Stadium. “That’s not a stat I care about,” said left end Carlos Dunlap, who forced the last one, recovered by linebacker Vincent Rey in Dallas back on Oct. 9, 2016.

Rank's 11 Week 8 sleepers: Don't bypass the Bengals
I know. Terrible against the Steelers. But we already knew that. Discussed it in Like/dislike. So this was expected. I'm not going to ignore the previous good work he did in Bill Lazor's offense. Prior to the game at Pittsburgh (which we will throw out), the Bengals averaged 25 points per game. And they are playing the Colts. So I'll just stop typing right now.

Separating fact from fiction in Cincinnati Bengals run game
The surface numbers for the Bengals running game accurately tell the story of an offense struggling to find consistency on the ground this year. Cincinnati ranks 31st in the league with 3.3 yards per carry. The current pace would set a new low in franchise history. Joe Mixon leads the way with 74 carries, but averages only 3.2 yards per rush. The three-back rotation with Mixon, Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard hasn’t gone well and played a partial role in the offensive coordinator switch made after the second week of the season.

Sputtering Colts look to alter fortunes vs. Bengals
For most of this decade, the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals have been playoff regulars in the AFC. In fact, Indianapolis reached the AFC championship game three seasons ago before absorbing a blowout loss on a rainy night in New England. That game would be largely forgotten were it not for a Colts’ complaint that brought about “Deflategate” and gave John Jastremski and Jim McNally 15 minutes of fame they’d just as soon never had.

Bengals Walkthru: Wrapping up fourth-down throwaway debate
Time to tie one final bow around the Steelers loss and start flipping the conversation forward. One final topic lingering out there and asked of me on every single radio/media hit I’ve done since the game revolves around the fourth-and-2 throw out of bounds by Andy Dalton.

AFC North Bytes

Martavis Bryant Out vs. Lions; Demoted to Steelers Scout Team
Martavis Bryant hasn't had the role he wanted this year, and things are only getting worse for the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Bryant was demoted to the scout team Wednesday. Bryant said head coach Mike Tomlin told him he will not play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, per Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Justin Hunter took over Bryant's role in practice.

Myles Garrett Placed in Concussion Protocol by Browns Ahead of Vikings Matchup
Cleveland Browns rookie defensive end Myles Garrett was placed in concussion protocol, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday.mAccording to Rapoport, Garrett arrived at the team facility Tuesday with concussion-like symptoms.

Baltimore Ravens: Team Needs to Get Creative on Offense
The Ravens have a cliché problem. For the better part of three seasons, the Ravens have been afflicted with a seemingly unprecedented number of season-ending injuries. Accordingly, fans are accustomed to preseason prognostications qualified by the ability of the team to remain healthy. And, as the injuries mount during the regular season, we are treated with the typical mantras…

Random Bytes

Cam Newton Leaves Press Conference Abruptly When Asked About 'Chunk Plays'
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton ended a press conference abruptly on Wednesday after he opted not to respond to a question about the team's lack of "chunk plays" in recent weeks. The Associated Press' Steve Reed relayed video of the exchange

Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: Inside the NFL's Pretty Normal Party Culture
Players party, and there's nothing wrong with that, most of the time. Martavis Bryant may be waiting a while to get out of Pittsburgh, and could Carson Wentz be the league's MVP? It's the prelude to Week 8 in the NFL, and the 10-Point Stance has plenty to say about it.

Telvin Smith, Jaguars Reportedly Agree to 4-Year Contract Extension
The Jacksonville Jaguars have locked down one of their most important young players on the defensive side of the ball. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the team has signed linebacker Telvin Smith to a four-year extension worth $50 million. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the deal was only worth $44 million.