:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/20565601/131661432.0.jpg)
Cincinnati's newest linebacker Michael Boley has some experience that the Bengals could use. Boley is a former Super Bowl champion when the New York Giants knocked off the New England Patriots with a defense that generated 48 quarterbacks sacks (tied for third in the league) in 2011. His scouting report on Tom Brady:
"Get him off his game. Interrupt his timing. Disrupt his receivers and get a good push up front. If you keep guys in his face, kind of muddy up those passing lanes, it’ll definitely get him out of his rhythm," Boley said via Bengals.com.
Cincinnati finished third in the NFL with 51 sacks last season, one off the league-leaders in Denver and St. Louis. After a slow start, generating only two quarterback sacks in the first two games, the defensive pass rush has found their footing, posting seven sacks against the Packers and Browns combined.
"We have a great front and to be able to watch this team in the past and see them on film the last couple of years, they’re a force up front to be reckoned with," said Boley.
Where the Bengals could face their biggest demons is in the secondary. Leon Hall and Dre Kirkpatrick sat with hamstring issues on Wednesday. Reggie Nelson was limited after missing last week's game against the Cleveland Browns.
Nickel cornerback Adam Jones, who started last week in Hall's absence, hasn't played well, allowing completions at a 73.9 percent clip, an opposing quarterback rating of 128.5 and 278 yards allowed. In three of the four games this season, he's allowed at least one reception over 30 yards.
That being said, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis called the forecast "partly sunny" for Hall, Nelson and Kirkpatrick this weekend.