clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

PRIMER: San Diego Chargers (9-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)

All you can eat buffet between the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers.

Donald Miralle

Game: San Diego Chargers (9-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
Time: 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Paul Brown Stadium
Series Leader: Bengals, 19-13
Streak: Bengals have won the past three.
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 4-2. McCoy: 0-1
Broadcast: CBS (1:05 PM ET): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson (Field reporter). Westwood One: Ian Eagle, Trent Green, Tony Boselli (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 88 (WW1), 92 (SD), 86 (Cin.). XM: 88 (WW1), 225 (SD), 86 (Cin.).
SB Nation: Bolts from the Blue
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: 33 degrees with snow and rain mix [Weather Underground]
Uniform: Black
Odds: Bengals are seven-point favorites

CINCINNATI BENGALS

  • The Bengals have reached the postseason five times during the Marvin Lewis era (2005, 2009, 2011-2013).
  • Bengals have reached the postseason three straight seasons for the first time in franchise history.
  • The Bengals are looking to earn their first playoff win since Jan. 6, 1991 when the Bengals defeated the Houston Oilers.
  • Cincinnati clinched their first AFC North title since 2009.
  • Were undefeated this year at home for the first time since '88.
  • Also have won nine consecutive home games, dating back to 2012.
  • The Bengals have scored a touchdown on 73.9 percent of their trips inside the red zone, second-best in the NFL.
  • Quarterback Andy Dalton passed for 4,296 yards with 33 touchdowns in 2013 -- both are single-season franchise records.
  • Cincinnati is 15-1 when Dalton has a passer rating of 100 or better.
  • Dalton is 30-18 (.625) as a starting quarterback, highest all-time winning percentage by a Bengals quarterback (minimum 20 games) in franchise history.
  • Dalton threw 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions for a passer rating of 98.4 at home this season.
  • Running back Giovani Bernard (1,209) is the first rookie running back to reach 1,000 yards from scrimmage since Corey Dillon (1,388).
  • Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis has rushed for 246 yards on 58 carries in five career postseason games.
  • Wide receiver A.J. Green (260) surpassed Anquan Boldin (259) for most receptions in the first three seasons of a career in NFL history.
  • Green (3,833) has the second-most yards receiving in the first three seasons of a career, trailing only Randy Moss (4,163).
  • Green is also the first wide receiver to be selected to the Pro Bowl in the first three seasons of a career since Moss.
  • In two career games against the San Diego Chargers, Green has 14 receptions for 168 yards receiving and a touchdown.
  • Wide receivers Green (11) and Marvin Jones (10) combined for 21 receiving touchdowns.
  • Defense allowed 19.1 points/game in 2013, tied for fewest in the AFC.
  • Linebacker Vontaze Burfict led the team with 171 tackles in 2013 (204 according to the team).
  • Defensive end Wallace Gilberry posted a career-high 7.5 quarterback sacks this season.
  • Cornerback Terence Newman has played in six career postseason games.
  • Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick generated a career-high two interceptions last week, including a pick-six.
  • Kirkpatrick recorded his first career interception against the San Diego Chargers earlier this year.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

  • This is the Chargers first postseason appearance since 2009.
  • Chargers have an AFC-high active four-game winning streak heading into the playoffs.
  • Quarterback Philip Rivers (4,478) is the sixth player in NFL history to register five 4,000-yard seasons.
  • Rivers has passed for 32,369 yards passing and 254 touchdowns, trailing Hall of Famer Dan Fouts for most in Chargers history.
  • In three career postseason games, Rivers has completed 54 of 91 passes (59.3 percent) for 783 yards with six scores and four picks for a passer rating of 91 passer rating.
  • In his last postseason road game, Rivers completed 21 of 35 passes for 308 yards passing with three touchdowns and an interception.
  • In two regular season games against the Bengals, Rivers has completed 51 of 76 passes (67.1 percent) for 594 yards with four scores and an interception.
  • Running back Ryan Matthews (1,255) became the first Charger to reach 1,200 yards rushing since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2007 (1,474).
  • Matthews led the AFC with 534 yards rushing for the month of December.
  • Running back Danny Woodhead ranked second in the NFL in receptions (76) and yards receiving (605) for a running back in 2013.
  • Tight end Antonio Gates (77 catches, 872 yards receiving) posted his sixth season of his career with at least 70 receptions and 800 yards receiving.
  • In his last postseason game, Gates had eight catches for 93 yards receiving.
  • Rookie wide receiver Keenan Allen (71 catches, 1,046 yards) has the most yards and receptions for a Chargers rookie.
  • In his last game against the Bengals, Allen posted eight receptions for 106 yards receiving.
  • Allen has five touchdown in his past four games.
  • Allen led all NFL rookies receptions and yards receiving.
  • Wide receiver Eddie Royal had a career-high eight touchdown receptions this season.
  • Tight end LaDarius Green posted his career-best third touchdown reception of the season last week.
  • Safety Eric Weddle leads the Chargers with 103 tackles.
  • Weddle also had an interception and a fumble recovery in his last game against the Bengals.

TEAM RANKINGS

OFFENSE BENGALS CHARGERS
Total 368.4 (10th) 393.3 (5th)
Scoring 26.9 (t-6th) 24.8 (12th)
Third Downs 41% (10th) 49% (1st)
Rushing 109.7 (18th) 122.8 (13th)
Rushing TDs 14 (t-13th) 9 (t-25th)
20-Yard Runs 5 (t-5th) 7 (t-24th)
Passing 258.7 (8th) 270.5 (4th)
Passing TDs 33 (t-3rd) 32 (t-5th)
Sacks Allowed 29 (3rd) 30 (t-4th)
20-yard Passes 58 (8th) 60 (7th)
DEFENSE BENGALS CHARGERS
Total 305.5 (3rd) 366.5 (23rd)
Scoring 19.1 (t-5th) 21.8 (11th)
3rd Downs Allowed 33% (2nd) 39% (20th)
Rushing 96.5 (5th) 107.8 (12th)
Rushing TDs 6 (4th) 14 (t-18th)
Passing 209.0 (5th) 258.7 (29th)
Passing TDs 22 (11th) 23 (12th)
Sacks 43 (10th) 35 (23rd)
QB Rating 74.2 (2nd) 96.4 (28th)
Interceptions 20 (t-5th) 11 (t-26th)
SPECIAL TEAMS BENGALS CHARGERS
Kickoff Return 25.1 (5th) 22.1 (23rd)
Punt Return 9.0 (t-15th) 7.5 (25th)
Punting (Net) 39.9 (t-14th) 40.0 (t-12th)
Punts Inside the 20 27 (t-13th) 30 (t-8th)