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Bengals at Jaguars Game Notes
Fresh off a win and armed with the aspiration of returning to large field of AFC playoff contenders, the 3-4 Cincinnati Bengals this week travel to Jacksonville to take on the 4-3 Jaguars on Sunday afternoon at EverBank Field. Last week, in a gut-check game which more than once seemed like it might put their postseason hopes beyond reach, the Bengals in the end found a way to log a 24-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at Paul Brown Stadium.
Slants and screens: Mixon-Fournette again; Bullock questionable could force move; Green deja vu?
It turns out Sunday (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Local 12) won’t be the first time Joe Mixon meets Leonard Fournette this year in Jacksonville. Universally regarded as the two best running backs in this year’s draft, both were invited to visit the Jaguars for a pre-draft meeting and they ran into each other while at Tom Coughlin State.
Bengals Blitz: 24 Hours with Burfict, Super Bowl Surprise
The Bengals surprised Season Ticket Members Steve and Suzanne Millard with a trip to Super Bowl LII in recognition of Suzanne’s battle with breast cancer and in appreciation of their support of the team.
Top 50 Moments: Jim Breech Perfect in OT
Jim Breech is the best kicker in Bengals' history. In his 13 seasons with the Bengals, Breech used his size 5 cleat to boot his way to becoming the all-time leading scorer in franchise history. When the pressure was on in overtime, Breech shined.
Andy Dalton Named Week 8 NFLPA Community MVP
Andy Dalton has been named Week 8 NFLPA Community MVP for raising funds to provide financial relief for seriously ill, physically challenged and mentally disabled kids. “We are honored and blessed to be recognized for the work in our community,” the Bengals quarterback said. “We are just grateful to the NFLPA for that recognition.”
Vontaze Burfict dirty? 'I think I'm right at that line,
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been fined or suspended more than anyone else in the league for on-the-field actions over the past two seasons for his perceived dirty play. Burfict has already served a three-game suspension this season for a preseason hit the NFL deemed illegal, and received a $12,000 fine for kicking a Steelers player.
Report: Terms in Bengals, Browns trade did not match
Time was not all that was working against the Cleveland Browns in Tuesday's potential trade with the Cincinnati Bengals for quarterback AJ McCarron. According to Cleveland.com, the terms each team had drafted for the trade were different which would have rendered it an incomplete trade by the league office anyway. The report claims that the two teams had identical compensation - second and third round choices - but the language was different.
Bengals Outlook: Running game hasn’t proven to be a strength | Jacksonville News, Sports and Entertainment | jacksonville.com
The Bengals’ defense ranks among the NFL’s top 10 in seven categories. Fifth in total defense (295.0), second in fewest yards allowed per play (4.5), fourth in pass defense (183.1), third in yards per pass play (5.2), sixth in sacks per pass play (22 sacks in 248 pass plays), ninth in first downs allowed per game (18.0) and ninth in scoring defense (19.3 points).
Cleveland columnist: Cincinnati Bengals can't win on road
The Cincinnati Reds struggled on the road for much of 2017, winning less than 30 of their 81 games away from home. But is it fair to say the Bengals can't win on the road? Cleveland.com's Bud Shaw calls the Bengals "a team that can't win anywhere except at home (and in Cleveland)" as he points out that Cincinnati is getting ready to play three consecutive road games.
Week 9 notes: Bengals' A J McCarron, John Ross' status, Nugent returns
In rare fashion, the Cincinnati Bengals made headlines at the NFL trade deadline. In typical fashion, the Bengals did not make a trade. Per reports, Cincinnati was ready to ship second-string quarterback AJ McCarron to the Browns. In exchange, Cleveland would give the Bengals a second and third-round pick in the 2018 draft.
Bengals' Randy Bullock: Expected to play Sunday
The Bengals believe that Bullock (back), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, will be able to play in the contest, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. "[Bullock is] on the mend," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said after Friday's practice, according to Jay Morrison of the Dayton Daily News. "He showed up with a tight back, and we're dealing with that as we go."
AFC North Bytes
Bumbling Browns Blow Chance to Help Themselves in Wild, New Era of NFL Trades
Joe Banner and others had a simple name for the paperwork used to document a trade with another team. "We just called them trade papers," said Banner, who once led front offices in Philadelphia and Cleveland, and served as a front office consultant for Atlanta.
Joe Flacco Clears Concussion Protocol, Will Play vs. Titans
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is set to return to the lineup Sunday after he was forced to leave the team's Week 8 game early due to a concussion. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, he was cleared from the league's concussion protocol. The team also announced Wednesday that the starter had returned to practice.
Random Bytes
NFL Owners to Be Asked for Phone Records, Emails Relating to Colin Kaepernick
At least three NFL owners—the Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones, New England Patriots' Robert Kraft and Houston Texans' Bob McNair—will be asked to turn over communications related to the collusion case brought forward by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Ezekiel Elliott Never Considered Taking Suspension: 'It's Bigger Than Football'
After being granted an administrative stay that will allow him to play in Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott commented on his continued fight against an NFL-mandated, six-game suspension.
Deshaun Watson Vows to Be 'Better, Stronger and More Focused' After Knee Injury
One day after his rookie season came to an abrupt and surprising end due to a torn ACL, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson vowed to return better than ever in 2018. In a Twitter message, Watson vowed that he would come back "better, stronger and more focused than ever before!"