Cincy Jungle - NFL Week 13: Philadelphia Eagles at Cincinnati BengalsWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2016-12-11T16:56:56-05:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/135528952016-12-11T16:56:56-05:002016-12-11T16:56:56-05:00Social media reactions to Bengals’ win over Browns
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<img alt="Cincinnati Bengals v Cleveland Browns" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uAtYkOAkWQgPSPrLXMt2s-gEjbE=/0x25:3000x2025/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52238191/629160164.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Bengals beat the Browns, but on social media, most people only wanted to talk about how bad Mike Nugent is after the win. Oh, and Adam Jones just wanted to reiterate that Terrelle Pryor is trash.</p> <p id="BWzgxB">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> convincingly beat the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> in Week 14 to bring their record to 5-7-1. The Browns remain winless, now at 0-13 and nearing an 0-16 season.</p>
<p id="SfK0z2"><span>Andy Dalton</span> was efficient on the afternoon, going 20/28 for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns. His quarterback rating of 112.2 was his fourth highest rating of the year. Though, it was Dalton’s first game not throwing for more than 200 yards.</p>
<p id="iWKQdk">That was largely because of how well <span>Jeremy Hill</span> did on the ground, generating 111 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 25 attempts, yielding a 4.44 yard per carry average.</p>
<p id="YD4V76"><span>Tyler Boyd</span> was the Bengals' leading receiver with 49 yards on 6 catches and Eifert was just one-yard shy of tying him with five catches for 48 yards and 2 touchdowns.</p>
<p id="PR0yzN">The defense was pretty impressive on the afternoon, as they held the Browns to 10 points, all in the second half and <span>Geno Atkins</span> had his first two sack game of the year. Burfict was impactful, but, had his quietest game in quite some time with only 1 tackle on the afternoon. Thankfully, it was the Browns who the Bengals were playing and that was enough for a 13 point margin of victory. That margin of victory could have been even larger if not for a <span>Mike Nugent</span> missed extra point and field goal.</p>
<p id="yq1g9t"><strong>Here are the social media reactions to the Bengals’ fifth win of the season.</strong></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TD CELEBRATION OF THE DAY <a href="https://t.co/xoo2HC56Jl">pic.twitter.com/xoo2HC56Jl</a></p>— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSports/status/808025477520691208">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Paying homage to the GOAT <a href="https://t.co/5FdpRD6EeX">pic.twitter.com/5FdpRD6EeX</a></p>— Jeremy Hill (@JeremyHill33) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyHill33/status/808065201601912836">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This ended up as a drop... <a href="https://t.co/TzJMesbT0q">pic.twitter.com/TzJMesbT0q</a></p>— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNFL/status/808037243625623552">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">browns <a href="https://t.co/bPxhRqk5Hc">pic.twitter.com/bPxhRqk5Hc</a></p>— Deadspin (@Deadspin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Deadspin/status/808025962520592384">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Might wanna think about re-signing <a href="https://twitter.com/ochocinco">@ochocinco</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/Bengals">@Bengals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kickingproblems?src=hash">#kickingproblems</a></p>— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) <a href="https://twitter.com/terrellowens/status/808036151382577152">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andy Dalton finished the game 20/28, 180 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT, 112.2 quarterback rating. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhoDey?src=hash">#WhoDey</a></p>— Cincy Jungle (@CincyJungle) <a href="https://twitter.com/CincyJungle/status/808054548287852545">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dre Kirkpatrick walking off: "What's that boy from the Skins say? You like that?!" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FOX19">@FOX19</a></p>— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOX19Jeremy/status/808054378326278144">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="in" dir="ltr">BENGALS WIN! <a href="https://t.co/zeXgZq0jSp">pic.twitter.com/zeXgZq0jSp</a></p>— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNFL/status/808053644608339968">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's a Great Day to be a Bengals Fan....23-10 over the Browns. 5 in a row against Cleveland.</p>— alan cutler (@cutler18) <a href="https://twitter.com/cutler18/status/808053645984092161">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bengals now 5-7-1 next game against Steelers.</p>— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) <a href="https://twitter.com/LndsPatterson/status/808053137512824833">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lots off <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a> making their to Hue for hugs and handshakes.</p>— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayMorrisonCMG/status/808053023574474752">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Feed that man <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyHill33">@JeremyHill33</a> brought that <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewSpeed?src=hash">#NewSpeed</a> today.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/3StripeLife?src=hash">#3StripeLife</a> <a href="https://t.co/BqUBoe3y3i">pic.twitter.com/BqUBoe3y3i</a></p>— adidas Football US (@adidasFballUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/adidasFballUS/status/808054406520287232">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“The guy is just arrogant as hell. What he need to do is just shut the hell up and win the game,”-Adam Jones w/ Lap on Pryor <a href="https://twitter.com/700wlw">@700wlw</a></p>— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) <a href="https://twitter.com/LanceMcAlister/status/808056947186552836">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good team win <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/whodey?src=hash">#whodey</a></p>— Jody Breeze (@Blafell1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Blafell1/status/808068649525407744">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We still alive <a href="https://twitter.com/Bengals">@Bengals</a> 1 W at a time</p>— Dre Kirkpatrick (@DreKirkSWAG) <a href="https://twitter.com/DreKirkSWAG/status/808068331592945665">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Opponents have scored 21, 16, 19, 14 and 10 against the Bengals defense over the last 5 weeks. (16 ppg)</p>— Joe Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeGoodberry/status/808053852016611328">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jeremy Hill's 2 games vs Browns: 34 carries, 279 yards (8.2), 2 TDs<br>All other games 161 for 509 yards (3.2), 6 TDs.</p>— Joe Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeGoodberry/status/808052165004640256">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">And that’s 0-13 for the Browns.</p>— Andrea Hangst (@FBALL_Andrea) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBALL_Andrea/status/808053105740890112">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Adam Jones to our camera walking off: "Terrelle Pryor who? Average mother f***er. Get the f*** out of here." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FOX19">@FOX19</a></p>— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOX19Jeremy/status/808054682086232070">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another solid game for Burkhead. 10 touches for 51 total yards.</p>— Joe Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeGoodberry/status/808055678459936768">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Steelers didn't help the Bengals out today, beat the Bills. Bengals need them to lose out for their playoff chances.</p>— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kat_Terrell/status/808056451700850690">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bengals need to win out, Steelers to lose out and Ravens to go 1-3 to clinch the North. Here's to Cleveland getting a W against Pittsburgh.</p>— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) <a href="https://twitter.com/LndsPatterson/status/808060152502951936">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Steelers can't win another game if the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a> have any hope to make the playoffs.<br><br>Pittsburgh still has the Browns on the schedule.</p>— Jed DeMuesy (@Local12Jed) <a href="https://twitter.com/Local12Jed/status/808059480739119105">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pacman repeatedly answering "garbage" to every question about Pryor. Shakes trash can and says Pryor belongs in there. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a></p>— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayMorrisonCMG/status/808059365731274753">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Former Irish TE Tyler Eifert had 2 touchdowns in the Bengals win over the Browns today.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDinTheNFL?src=hash">#NDinTheNFL</a> <a href="https://t.co/X74kntc64P">pic.twitter.com/X74kntc64P</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/808053998964064257">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dalton said today was first time ever wore a glove in throwing hand in a game. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a></p>— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayMorrisonCMG/status/808062892088107011">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Anyone else notice that <a href="https://twitter.com/REALPACMAN24">@REALPACMAN24</a> 's helmet had the number 15 on it ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChrisHenry?src=hash">#ChrisHenry</a> ? Hmm <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhoDey?src=hash">#WhoDey</a></p>— Alex Himes (@Alex_Himes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alex_Himes/status/808019177298690049">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Adam Jones was shaking a garbage can in the locker room saying, "Terrelle, you in there?!"<br><br>Wouldn't talk about the game. Only TP. <a href="https://twitter.com/FOX19">@FOX19</a></p>— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOX19Jeremy/status/808064563694465024">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Imagine how lopsided this game would be if Hue Jackson didn't know everything there is to know about the Bengals.</p>— Mo Egger (@MoEgger1530) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoEgger1530/status/808025100410822664">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Best Thing About 2 in row! Is that opportunity to get 3!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhoDey?src=hash">#WhoDey</a> <a href="https://t.co/fl7DAnT4Kb">pic.twitter.com/fl7DAnT4Kb</a></p>— Carlos Dunlap (@Carlos_Dunlap) <a href="https://twitter.com/Carlos_Dunlap/status/808066493929914368">December 11, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Omg I love Winning and I love winning for the bengals. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/whodey?src=hash">#whodey</a> ✊ </p>— Dre Kirkpatrick (@DreKirkSWAG) <a href="https://twitter.com/DreKirkSWAG/status/808066805961031681">December 11, 2016</a>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/11/13913722/social-media-reactions-to-bengals-win-over-brownsRebecca Toback2016-12-09T13:00:02-05:002016-12-09T13:00:02-05:00Coach Talk: Marvin Lewis talks finishing strong, locker room culture
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<img alt="Cincinnati Bengals v Baltimore Ravens" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/b4tZRojRlTwp1vnBCh2J8DIXgw0=/0x0:3179x2119/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52210409/626128200.0.jpeg" />
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<p>We look at what was asked of Marvin Lewis this week and what it all means.</p> <p id="5vWYI8">After what seemed like an eternity, the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> finally won a game in Week 13. It was a pretty strong effort by the Bengals in defeating the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a> at home. This week, <span>Marvin Lewis</span> talked about that game and the upcoming game against the winless <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> in his weekly press conference. Let’s take a look at what he had to say, and then decipher it for ourselves, breaking through the nonsensical coach talk.</p>
<p id="BwoVFw"><strong>Question: Does the defense feed off a of a three-and-out on opening drives?</strong></p>
<p id="lbQaqq">Lewis Comment: I don’t know if they know those things until people bring it to their attention. It’s good to get the three-and-out to start the game. When we choose to kick off like we do, we want to have the opportunity to pin the ball back and get the offense in good field position. We were able to do that.</p>
<p id="kyVFmY"><em>Commentary: It’s kind of a bizarre question. Well, actually it’s a really bizarre question. By asking if the defense feeds off of three-and-outs on opening drives (plural), it implies that this is something the Bengals do frequently, and asks Lewis based on these frequent occurrences, how the team responds. The reality is that</em><em> prior to Sunday’s win,</em><em> the Bengals ha</em><em>d </em><em>not forced a three-and-out on an opening drive since their Week 3 loss to the </em><a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/"><em>Denver Broncos</em></a><em>, so there certainly isn’t enough of a sample size for Lewis to give a good answer. And if one wants an answer, they can look at the 29 points the Bengals gave up to the Broncos despite the opening three-and-out.</em></p>
<p id="ZQG2ZI"><em><strong>Here are the Bengals’ defensive efforts on their opponent’s opening drive:</strong></em></p>
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<em>Eagles: </em><em><strong>three-and-out</strong></em>
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<li id="LWyiCP">
<a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/"><em>Ravens</em></a><em>: gave up a touchdown</em>
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<a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/"><em>Bills</em></a><em>: gave up a touchdown</em>
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<a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/"><em>Giants</em></a><em>: gave up a touchdown</em>
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<li id="0a4UEj">
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins"><em>Redskins</em></a><em>: gave up a touchdown</em>
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<li id="4585Cx"><em>Browns: six plays for 19 yards, then a punt</em></li>
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<a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/"><em>Patriots</em></a><em>: gave up a field goal</em>
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<a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/"><em>Cowboys</em></a><em>: gave up a touchdown</em>
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<a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/"><em>Dolphins</em></a><em>: gave up a touchdown</em>
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<em>Broncos: </em><em><strong>three-and-out</strong></em><em> (lost the game)</em>
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<a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/"><em>Steelers</em></a><em>: </em><em><strong>three-and-out</strong></em><em> (lost the game)</em>
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<li id="X9Cjao">
<a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/"><em>Jets</em></a><em>: gave up a touchdown</em>
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<p id="RZ8d4k"><em>In seven out of </em><em>12 </em><em>games, the Bengals have given up a touchdown on an opening drive, and have only three times held an opponent to a three-and-out at the start of the game.</em></p>
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<p id="2aXUl8"><strong>Question: What is the key to finishing strong after a rough patch in the middle of a season?</strong></p>
<p id="5XOCqk">Lewis Comment: In any season, finishing strong is a matter of continuing to play, execute and prepare well. We have to win the situations that occur on Sundays.</p>
<p id="zc7tWa"><em>Commentary: Another way to ask this question would be why do Lewis’ teams win late in the year in seasons when they have been eliminated from playoff contention? And conversely, why do they lose late in the year in seasons when they are making a playoff push, eliminating any chance at a first round bye?</em> </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="X2z88o">
<p id="GSRhkB"><strong>Question: Is there an extra level to it when you’re trying to overcome losses and figure things out?</strong></p>
<p id="3Fc9b7">Lewis Comment: It’s always pretty much the same. You’re always looking for the same things. That doesn’t change.</p>
<p id="kT6AQK"><em>Commentary: What Lewis says is true. You are always looking for the same things - which are good players who execute and make good plays. But the frustration arises when the team seemingly refuses to replace players who don’t make good plays. You can only drop a bucket down an empty well so long before you try to get water from another well. I think fans would appreciate it if the team started to look at some other wells from time to time, when the current well only delivers arid dust.</em></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="epAdcb">
<p id="Wx8fs4"><strong>Question: Does the locker room culture you’ve built bear its fruit now when you have to focus on staying the course?</strong></p>
<p id="uOef1p">Lewis Comment: It’s important that we continue to bring everybody forward in that situation all the time, and make sure they’re handling their responsibilities. You don’t want to let your teammate down.</p>
<p id="4odCGt"><em>Commentary: I’m not quite sure what course the </em><em>question </em><em>is referring to, but waiting until the team is practically eliminated from the playoffs seems like an odd time to start focusing.</em> <em>And if your locker room culture doesn’t bear any fruit until it</em><em>’</em><em>s too late, then perhaps you need a new culture. Because the culture should not let you get into that situation to begin with.</em></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="IJpKnc">
<p id="3IYfUS"><strong>Question: Has there been anything notably different with the defense since the bye?</strong></p>
<p id="FY8VSe">Lewis Comment: We continue to stress the execution on defense. I think the guys have done a good job of that. We’ve had our moments, like giving up the fourth-down touchdown yesterday, where we don’t execute right. We have to just stay consistent with that and avoid those errors. That’s big.</p>
<p id="NRr4Yw">At times a team can strap some plays together and maybe drive the field. We have to do a good job and stop the drive when those opportunities arise. We had three more interceptions in our hands yesterday that we didn’t catch. We have to do those things. We also have to cause more fumbles, and when you have opportunities, to continue to catch the ball with those interceptions.</p>
<p id="vV5EzL"><em>Commentary: The general consensus is that the Bengals’ defense has played better since the bye week. There is some truth to that, and with many saying their schedule was front-loaded, it makes sense that the team’s performances would get better as the competition got less formidable.</em></p>
<p id="Bv2zZW"><em>That being said, if you factor in that the game against the Redskins was a </em><em>five</em><em>-quarter game, the Bengals defense gave up 91.8 yards per quarter before the bye. They are giving up 85.2 yards per quarter after the bye. So that’s an improvement, but not exactly night and day. We will see if the momentum continues against a very bad Browns’ offense.</em></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="AHmzxo">
<p id="MLit7n"><strong>Question: It seemed you all dictated where you wanted Wentz to throw ... </strong></p>
<p id="rLTtlo">Lewis Comment: He threw a couple of balls that they shouldn’t have opportunities to complete. Those were disappointing because we weren’t in the position we needed to be in. We have to be consistent and stay where we belong.</p>
<p id="DLe0ka"><em>Commentary: Apparently the Bengals dictated that Wentz throw the ball to </em><span><em>Vontaze Burfict</em></span><em>.</em> </p>
<p id="TuAUWS"></p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/9/13859336/coach-talk-marvin-lewis-talks-finishing-strong-locker-room-cultureDeusVult2016-12-09T11:00:01-05:002016-12-09T11:00:01-05:00Dalton at top of B/R NFL 1000 Rankings for Week 13
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VA65GJ92FpfIeuRSgHG0-5LObQg=/0x0:4218x2812/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52211377/usa-today-9725090.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After his best game of the season, without A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard, Dalton got his best grade of the season and the third best in the NFL in Week 13. He has a chance to build momentum with a matchup against the Browns on Sunday</p> <p id="wGTAne">Since losing <span>A.J. Green</span> and <span>Giovani Bernard</span>, <span>Andy Dalton</span> has struggled and in Week 12 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Ravens</a>, he couldn’t get anything going. The offensive line has had issues all season long, the running game is still bad and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Bengals</a> always seem to play from behind. Much of that changed on Sunday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Eagles</a>.</p>
<p id="9vK4Ox">The TCU product went 23 of 31 for 332 yards and two touchdown passes, including a beauty to Brandon LaFell. He was accurate in his decisions and he connected with <span>Tyler Boyd</span>, <span>Cody Core</span> and LaFell for a few deep passes that opened up the field for the Bengals. He didn’t have much support from the running game, and the offensive line was again shuffling, but he came up big in the clutch and that earned him <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2680394-nfl1000-ranking-the-top-1000-players-from-week-13/page/3">the third best grade of the week in the newest B/R NFL 1000 rankings</a>. In Week 12 he was the 885th best player, so that's quite the jump in one week.</p>
<p id="ze801J">Dalton wasn’t the highest ranked quarterback though, as <span>Andrew Luck</span> topped him after destroying the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">Jets</a> on Monday Night Football, and other than those two, the best player was <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> cornerback Chris Harris Jr., who is the best slot cornerback in the league and had a huge game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars</a>. The scout team at B/R had this to say about Dalton's performance:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Andy Dalton, on the other hand came, out of nowhere. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback has never had a better first half than the one he had against the Philadelphia Eagles. Dalton's career has been defined by his inability to throw receivers open or react competently to pressure. Against Philadelphia, however, he repeatedly delivered perfect passes to tightly covered receivers downfield despite facing pressure in the pocket. Dalton missed a couple of easier plays and didn't have to do much in the second half. Had he continued to play the way he did in the first half, he would have comfortably been the league's top-ranked quarterback this week.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Dalton got 82 points, with high grades in both accuracy and pressure categories. His previous highest score was 71 in weeks 2 and 7. Sunday’s effort was a huge upgrade from what we’d seen from him thus far in the season and everybody noticed.</p>
<p id="3yX3r5">No other Bengal was among the top 50 overall, but several players were high in their position rankings. Carlos Dunlap, the guy everybody around the league forgets when talking about the best defensive linemen in the NFL, ranked only behind <span>Khalil Mack</span>, who had a huge game against the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bills</a> and is putting up a Defensive Player of the Year caliber season. Somehow Dunlap got 26 points in the pass rush category, out of 25, which should tell you all you need to know about the show he put on against the Eagles. Fellow defensive lineman Geno Atkins was the fourth highest ranked defensive tackle after a game in which he could have easily had two or three sacks. LaFell was the 11th best wide receiver, above big names like Odell Beckham Jr. and Antonio Brown. Andrew Whitworth continued to be recognized as one of the premier tackles in the NFL and was ranked eight. Vontaze Burfict, despite an outstanding game was "only" the fourth highest ranked 4-3 outside linebacker, which, to me, seems quite low. Vincent Rey was seventh. Free safety George Iloka, despite the dropped interceptions, was the eighth best at his position.</p>
<p id="5oJ5dL">Only one Bengals player who played on Sunday was in the bottom of their standings, and it's the usual suspect: Michael Johnson. Interestingly, Cedric Ogbuehi was ranked as the 32nd "best" right tackle of the week, with a score of 63, but, he didn't play one snap on the afternoon. So, we're not sure how that checks out.</p>
<p id="1lzIvv"><b>Here are the ranked Bengals players and you can check the full rankings <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2680394-nfl1000-ranking-the-top-1000-players-from-week-13/page/3">here</a>:</b></p>
<table border="0" width="627" height="713">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center">Player</td>
<td align="center">Pos</td>
<td align="center">Rank/out of</td>
<td align="center">Week 12</td>
<td align="center">Score (all out of 100)</td>
<td align="center">Week 12</td>
<td align="center">High rank/score</td>
<td align="center">Low rank/score</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Andy Dalton</td>
<td align="center">QB</td>
<td align="center">2/34</td>
<td align="center">31 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">82</td>
<td align="center">
<span>60 </span><span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">2 (Week 13) /82 (Week 13)</td>
<td align="center">31 (Week 12) /53 (Week 8)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Giovani Bernard</td>
<td align="center">RB</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">12 (Week 8) /73 (Weeks 5, 6, 8 and 11)</td>
<td align="center">51 (Week 1) /69 (Week 1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Jeremy Hill</td>
<td align="center">RB</td>
<td align="center">23/65</td>
<td align="center">26 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">72</td>
<td align="center">72 <span>↔</span>
</td>
<td align="center">7 (Week 7) /76 (Week 7)</td>
<td align="center">53 (Week 2) /66 (Week 5)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Rex Burkhead</span></td>
<td align="center">RB</td>
<td align="center">33/65</td>
<td align="center">46 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">70</td>
<td align="center">67 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">33 (Week 13) /70 (Week 13)</td>
<td align="center">46 (Week 12) /67 (Week 12)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">A.J. Green</td>
<td align="center">WR</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">1 (Week 1) /86 (Week 1)</td>
<td align="center">32 (Week 2) /70 (Week 5)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Brandon LaFell</td>
<td align="center">WR</td>
<td align="center">11/123</td>
<td align="center">73 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">71</td>
<td align="center">65 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">6 (Week 5) /76 (Weeks 1&5)</td>
<td align="center">73 (Week 12) /64 (Weeks 10&11)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Tyler Boyd</td>
<td align="center">WR</td>
<td align="center">30/123</td>
<td align="center">42 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">68</td>
<td align="center">68 <span>↔</span>
</td>
<td align="center">30 (Week 13) /68 (Weeks 8, 11, 12 and 13)</td>
<td align="center">104 (Week 1) /60 (Week 1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Cody Core</td>
<td align="center">WR</td>
<td align="center">64/123</td>
<td align="center">103 <span>↑</span><span></span>
</td>
<td align="center">65</td>
<td align="center">60 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">64 (Week 13) /65 (Week 13)</td>
<td align="center">115 (Week 1) /52 (Week 1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">James Wright</td>
<td align="center">WR</td>
<td align="center">78/123</td>
<td align="center">72 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">63</td>
<td align="center">65 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">71 (Week 11) /65 (Week 12)</td>
<td align="center">125 (Week 4) /54 (Week 4)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Alex Erickson</span></td>
<td align="center">WR</td>
<td align="center">90/123</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">61</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">87 (Week 11) /61 (Weeks 11&13)</td>
<td align="center">129 (Week 6) / 55 (Week 7)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Tyler Eifert</span></td>
<td align="center">TE</td>
<td align="center">13/70</td>
<td align="center">6 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">68</td>
<td align="center">69 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">1 (Week 8) /79 (Week 8)</td>
<td align="center">16 (Weeks 10&11) /65 (Week 7)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Tyler Kroft</span></td>
<td align="center">TE</td>
<td align="center">49/70</td>
<td align="center">56 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">60</td>
<td align="center">59 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">14 (Week 6) 66 (Week 6)</td>
<td align="center">62 (Week 1) /51 (Week 1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Ryan Hewitt</span></td>
<td align="center">TE</td>
<td align="center">48/70</td>
<td align="center">40 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">61</td>
<td align="center">61 <span>↔</span>
</td>
<td align="center">30 (Week 8) /63 (Week 3)</td>
<td align="center">67 (Weeks 2&7) /55 (Week 2)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>C.J. Uzomah</span></td>
<td align="center">TE</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">6 (Week 4) /71 (Week 4)</td>
<td align="center">67 (Weeks 2&7) /55 (Week 2)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Andrew Whitworth</td>
<td align="center">LT</td>
<td align="center">8/31</td>
<td align="center">17 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">75</td>
<td align="center">74 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">6 (Weeks 1&4) /85 (Week 1)</td>
<td align="center">17 (Week 12) /73 (Week 5)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Jake Fisher</span></td>
<td align="center">LT</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">26 (Week 7) /70 (Week 7)</td>
<td align="center">26 (Week 7) /70 (Week 7)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Cedric Ogbuehi</span></td>
<td align="center">RT</td>
<td align="center">32/32</td>
<td align="center">34 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">63</td>
<td align="center">65 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">20 (Week 6) /72 (Week 2)</td>
<td align="center">34 (Week 12) /63 (Weeks 10&13)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Eric Winston</td>
<td align="center">RT</td>
<td align="center">23/32</td>
<td align="center">27 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">69</td>
<td align="center">68 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">7 (Week 8) /74 (Week 8)</td>
<td align="center">27 (Week 12) /68 (Week 12)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Kevin Zeitler</td>
<td align="center">G</td>
<td align="center">25/61</td>
<td align="center">24 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">70</td>
<td align="center">70 <span>↔</span>
</td>
<td align="center">1 (Week 7) /80 (Week 3)</td>
<td align="center">50 (Week 1) /67 (Week 8)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Clint Boling</span></td>
<td align="center">G</td>
<td align="center">45/61</td>
<td align="center">52 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">66</td>
<td align="center">66 <span>↔</span>
</td>
<td align="center">10 (Weeks 2&7) /79 (Weeks 1&2)</td>
<td align="center">52 (Week 12) /66 (Weeks 12&13)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Russell Bodine</span></td>
<td align="center">C</td>
<td align="center">18/31</td>
<td align="center">10 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">69</td>
<td align="center">70 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">10 (Week 12) /70 (Weeks 11&12)</td>
<td align="center">32 (Weeks 1&2) /57 (Week 1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">T.J. <span>Johnson</span>
</td>
<td align="center">C</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">30 (Week 6) /65 (Week 6)</td>
<td align="center">30 (Week 6) /65 (Week 6)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Carlos Dunlap</span></td>
<td align="center">DE</td>
<td align="center">2/58</td>
<td align="center">27 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">76</td>
<td align="center">68 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">1 (Week 4) /76 (Weeks 4&13)</td>
<td align="center">41 (Week 8) /62(Week 2)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Michael Johnson</span></td>
<td align="center">DE</td>
<td align="center">56/58</td>
<td align="center">33 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">62</td>
<td align="center">67 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">19 (Week 2) /67 (Week 12)</td>
<td align="center">56 (Week 13) /55 (Weeks 1&3)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Will Clarke</span></td>
<td align="center">DE</td>
<td align="center">41/58</td>
<td align="center">55 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">66</td>
<td align="center">63 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">33 (Week 4) /66 (Week 13)</td>
<td align="center">55 (Weeks 5&12) /53 (Week 5)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Margus Hunt</td>
<td align="center">DE</td>
<td align="center">40/58</td>
<td align="center">59 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">66</td>
<td align="center">58 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">20 (Week 2) /66 (Week 13)</td>
<td align="center">60 (Week 4) 53 (Week 4)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Wallace Gilberry</span></td>
<td align="center">DE</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">58</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">59</td>
<td align="center">23 (Week 11) /67 (Week 11)</td>
<td align="center">58 (Week 12) /59 (Week 12)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Geno Atkins</span></td>
<td align="center">DT</td>
<td align="center">4/81</td>
<td align="center">14 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">73</td>
<td align="center">70 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">1 (Week 10) /91 (Week 1)</td>
<td align="center">16 (Week 5) /70 (Week 12)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Domata Peko</td>
<td align="center">DT</td>
<td align="center">57/81</td>
<td align="center">70 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">60</td>
<td align="center">58 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">29 (Week 4) /70 (Week 1)</td>
<td align="center">70 (Week 12) /58 (Week 12)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Pat Sims</td>
<td align="center">DT</td>
<td align="center">63/81</td>
<td align="center">82 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">59</td>
<td align="center">53 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">45 (Week 4) /64 (Week 4)</td>
<td align="center">82 (Week 12) /53 (Week 12)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">DeShawn Williams</td>
<td align="center">DT</td>
<td align="center">49/81</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">62</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">49 (Week 13) /62 (Week 13)</td>
<td align="center">49 (Week 13) /62 (Week 13)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Vontaze Burfict</span></td>
<td align="center">OLB</td>
<td align="center">4/39</td>
<td align="center">34 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">72</td>
<td align="center">58 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">1 (Week 10) /79 (Week 10)</td>
<td align="center">38 (Week 11) /58 (Week 12)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Vincent Rey</td>
<td align="center">OLB</td>
<td align="center">7/39</td>
<td align="center">16 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">69</td>
<td align="center">64 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">7 (Week 2) /76 (Week 2)</td>
<td align="center">31 (Week 10) /57 (Week 6)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Karlos Dansby</span></td>
<td align="center">OLB</td>
<td align="center">12/39</td>
<td align="center">30 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">65</td>
<td align="center">60 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">8 (Week 4) /73 (Week 2)</td>
<td align="center">35 (Week 10) /53 (Week 1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Nick Vigil</td>
<td align="center">OLB</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">33 (Week 11) /58 (Week 11)</td>
<td align="center">33 (Week 11) /58 (Week 11)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Rey Maualuga</td>
<td align="center">ILB</td>
<td align="center">34/47</td>
<td align="center">24 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">65</td>
<td align="center">68 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">24 (Week 12) /71 (Week 3)</td>
<td align="center">52 (Week 1) /60 (Week 5)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Adam Jones</td>
<td align="center">CB</td>
<td align="center">32/99</td>
<td align="center">11 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">68</td>
<td align="center">74 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">7 (Week 11) /81 (Week 2)</td>
<td align="center">74 (Week 3) /57 (Week 10)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Dre Kirkpatrick</td>
<td align="center">CB</td>
<td align="center">28/99</td>
<td align="center">7 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">70</td>
<td align="center">75 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">7 (Week 12) /80 (Week 2)</td>
<td align="center">104 (Week 1) /49 (Week 1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Josh Shaw</span></td>
<td align="center">CB</td>
<td align="center">24/99</td>
<td align="center">15 <span>↓ (as SS)<br></span>
</td>
<td align="center">71</td>
<td align="center">72 <span>↓<br></span>
</td>
<td align="center">15 (Week 12) /72 (Weeks 1&12)</td>
<td align="center">80 (Weeks 3&8) /53 (Week 8)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Darqueze Dennard</span></td>
<td align="center">CB</td>
<td align="center">35/99</td>
<td align="center">105 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">65</td>
<td align="center">45 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">35 (Week 13) /65 (Week 13)</td>
<td align="center">105 (Week 12) /45 (Week 12)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">George Iloka</td>
<td align="center">FS</td>
<td align="center">8/37</td>
<td align="center">24 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">76</td>
<td align="center">69 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">5 (Week 8) /77 (Weeks 3&8)</td>
<td align="center">40 (Week 6) /62 (Week 6)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Derron Smith</span></td>
<td align="center">FS</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">11 (Week 11) /75 (Week 11)</td>
<td align="center">27 (Week 6) /72 (Week 6)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Shawn Williams</td>
<td align="center">SS</td>
<td align="center">13/41</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">72</td>
<td align="center">N/R</td>
<td align="center">1 (Week 8) /82 (Weeks 1&3)</td>
<td align="center">30 (Week 11) /69 (Week 11)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><span>Clayton Fejedelem</span></td>
<td align="center">SS</td>
<td align="center">38/41</td>
<td align="center">23 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">65</td>
<td align="center">70 <span>↓</span>
</td>
<td align="center">23 (Week 12) /70 (Week 12)</td>
<td align="center">23 (Week 12) /70 (Week 12)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Mike Nugent</td>
<td align="center">K</td>
<td align="center">21/30</td>
<td align="center">29 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">65</td>
<td align="center">58 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">4 (Week 4) /74 (Week 4)</td>
<td align="center">29 (Weeks 7&12) /45 (Week 11)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">Kevin Huber</td>
<td align="center">P</td>
<td align="center">11/30</td>
<td align="center">29 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">65</td>
<td align="center">60 <span>↑</span>
</td>
<td align="center">11 (Week 13) /69 (Week 4)</td>
<td align="center">32 (Week 2) /53 (Week 5)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/9/13886104/dalton-at-top-of-b-r-nfl-1000-rankings-for-week-13muertedeatenas2016-12-09T09:00:02-05:002016-12-09T09:00:02-05:00Bengals’ success runs through the offensive line
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/c3z_XOsPVdc1AqnjNbFdpD0EJGQ=/0x0:3168x2112/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52211009/usa_today_9048730.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There are a lot of reasons why the 2016 Cincinnati Bengals look so much different than the 2015 squad, but the issues with the offensive line might be the most important.</p> <p id="qhmDpJ">If there’s one statistic that really pops out when analyzing the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>’ 2016 season, it’s the number of times <span>Andy Dalton</span> has been sacked (32). That’s as many sacks as they gave up all of last year. Only Andrew Luck, <span>Carson Palmer</span>, and <span>Tyrod Taylor</span> have been sacked more times this season. The Bengals’ poor pass protection has significantly affected their ability to win games </p>
<p id="1QxWq4">The 2016 incarnation of the Cincinnati Bengals looks like a shell of its 2015 self, and the lack of offensive firepower has a lot to do with that. It could be argued that the huge number of personnel changes that took place in the offseason are to blame for the issues, which could explain why the offense has been improving as the season goes along. </p>
<p id="Fs0Ytx">Over the last six weeks, the Bengals’ offense has recorded 10 touchdowns, as opposed to only five touchdowns through the first six games. This has come in the face of injuries to key players like <span>A.J. Green</span> and <span>Giovani Bernard</span> as well as a carousel at right tackle that the Bengals are hoping can help cut down on the pass protection issues.</p>
<p id="BJmjy9">In fact, Dalton recorded arguably his best game of the season just last week against the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a> (332 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, 130.0 quarterback rating). On that note, it’s no coincidence that Dalton was rarely pressured throughout the game and was not allowed to be sacked once. </p>
<p id="Kah073">The Bengals came away with a decisive 32-14 victory that honestly felt more like stepping back in time to watch a game from 2015. That’s across the board. Although the defense wasn’t perfect, the Bengals saw enough good performances out of this unit to maintain a healthy dominance over the Eagles throughout the entire game. In fact, the Eagles didn’t score a single point until the Bengals had already put up 29, and that was late in the third quarter.</p>
<p id="YR386G">Although you have to give credit to the whole team for what really was an impressive win, the way the game played out helps confirm that the Bengals are more effective all-around when the quarterback is properly protected. Not only does it help the Bengals’ offense be multi dimensional, opening up opportunities in the running game. (Though, that didn’t show on Sunday.) But, it allows the defense to get some rest. Defensive players typically play better when they have time to rest in between drives and that can’t happen when the offense goes three and out repeatedly.</p>
<p id="VFOjqc">This week, the offense should have another opportunity to build their confidence as they are going up against the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a>, who have recorded the least sacks of any team in the NFL this season (17). Three of those sacks came against the Bengals in Week 7, but hopefully the offensive line has improved enough by now to not let that happen again. Going forward this season, the Bengals will want to do whatever they can to develop the offensive line for the future.</p>
<p id="wQIEkN">From the perspective of a rebuilding strategy, the tackle positions might be problematic going forward. Although he hasn’t seen as much starting time as Cedric Ogbuehi, the 23-year-old <span>Jake Fisher</span> has struggled and has a long way to go before the Bengals should be comfortable starting him.</p>
<p id="u8Cl6V">Benching Ogbuehi seems to have helped the unit perform significantly better in the short term. But, the Bengals can’t give up on the 24-year-old Ogbuehi, who was last year’s first round pick. Veteran Eric Winston could certainly help the Bengals win games in the short-term, but the Bengals will be hoping that Ogbuehi can work out his issues and help the team return to their winning ways long-term. They’re moving him <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/8/13879106/bengals-see-cedric-ogbuehi-future-at-left-tackle">to backup left tackle,</a> and Fisher to backup Winston at right tackle to start.</p>
<p id="URBqlS">“For as much as we like both those young kids, they haven’t had the opportunity to be consistent and have the preseasons and things you’d like to have to grow through,” Marvin Lewis said of the offensive tackle duo of Fisher and Ogbuehi. “All of their stuff is when things have been on the line. All their reps and plays. When it’s really important, it’s on the line. They conscientiously want it to be right. Sometimes you overthink things and get a little tense with it.”</p>
<p id="2p9n4q">This is true as Fisher and Ogbuehi both got injured in the preseason and really could have used those games to learn and grow. Though, Ogbuehi played in 11 games this season and didn’t seem to be progressing much at all. This coming offseason, both players will need to work hard to prove they belong and can be trusted.</p>
<p id="SgFK1H">The Bengals are currently fine on the interior line with a 27-year-old <span>Clint Boling</span> and a 26 year old <span>Kevin Zeitler</span> at the guard positions. Both players have generally performed well throughout their careers. They have had a few issues this season, but not enough to worry about long-term. Zeitler will be a free agent in March, but the Bengals should prioritize re-signing him sooner than later.</p>
<p id="uOSP0M">24 year old center <span>Russell Bodine</span> has struggled for much of his career with the Bengals, but he has seen significant improvements in his game this season. If he could only learn how to snap a ball consistently, and be more effective in the run game, the Bengals would be much better off at center.</p>
<p id="CecwDr">The Bengals also have a number of young players waiting in the wings, including Christian Westerman who has been inactive in every game this season. If Zeitler isn’t re-signed, Westerman could be the next man up.</p>
<p id="BNlnF5">If the Bengals can get their offensive line back to the level they were playing at in 2015, when they only gave up 32 sacks on the entire season, they will be poised for great things. The new members of the team will eventually adjust to the system and learn to be valuable contributors. Ultimately, once the offensive line starts consistently playing well, the rest of the offense should follow suit.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/9/13871230/bengals-offensive-line-is-key-to-rebuilding-successKyle Phelps2016-12-08T07:00:02-05:002016-12-08T07:00:02-05:00Bengals evaluating whether James Wright’s injury is significant
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Rs35tiwSOwxa4lv4eXsSAWbRCtI=/0x0:3603x2402/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52190043/usa_today_9723289.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Bengals wide receiver went down with a knee injury on Sunday. The team is not yet sure if and when he’ll return this season.</p> <p id="yJ6EKQ">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> saw two offensive lineman and a wide receiver go down in Sunday’s game against the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a> with injuries. Both lineman (<span>Jake Fisher</span> and <span>Andrew Whitworth</span>) are fine and practiced on Wednesday. The same might not be true for the receiver, <span>James Wright</span>, who sat out during Wednesday’s practice.</p>
<p id="ZYPCH0">Wright injured his right knee during the game on Sunday, the same knee he hurt in 2014 against the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Buccaneers</a>. That first injury led to two surgeries, including microfracture surgery and Wright missing more than a year of playing time. After spending all of last season and most of this offseason recovering, Wright was cleared to practice on August 1 and has slowly worked his way back. In the process, he’s been dealing with hamstring injuries, limiting him in numerous practices and keeping him out of games against the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> and <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a>. He’s also been held out of practice to manage what his surgically repaired knee can handle, so it’s clear the Bengals had some concerns regarding how the knee would hold up.</p>
<p id="JfjKUv">Now, the Bengals are “trying to ascertain” if Wright’s knee injury, suffered on Sunday against the Eagles, is significant. When asked a question about practice squad wide receiver <span>Jake Kumerow</span> in his weekly mailbag, <a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Hobsons-Choice-present-and-future-collide/a09c3eae-a8fc-4885-8543-5e375f82f274">Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson</a> had this to say, subtly dropping the news on Wright:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="XS1jxY">Wide receiver <span>Jake Kumerow</span> just needs some game snaps. He’s had two years to get used to the system on the practice squad and I thought he looked pretty good in this past training camp. He didn’t show up much in the pre-season games and he’s had to wait behind Core and Wright. <strong>He may get on the roster in the next few weeks because they’re trying to ascertain if Wright has suffered a significant knee injury.</strong></p>
<p id="zf07LS">From what we’ve seen of Kumerow in spring ball and camp, he’s got great hands and is a nice, big target (6-5, 210) with a good feel for the game. He’s not a burner so he’ll have to compensate by improving getting off the line quickly and smoothly diagnosing leverage.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="5wu82Q">This season, Wright has 93 yards on 11 catches, most of which have come since <span>A.J. Green</span> was injured in Week 11. It’s never the good time to get injured, but Wright has a way of getting injured at the worst times. In 2014, his injury came during his best game of the year, a five catch, 59 yard game in a win over the Buccaneers. That season also saw Marvin Jones and <span>Tyler Eifert</span> sidelined with injuries.</p>
<p id="AuWqJ8">Now, Wright is injured with Green on the mend from a hamstring injury, at a time when the Bengals need receivers to step up. Anytime the No. 1 receiver is out, it's an opportunity for others to shine (as <span>Tyler Boyd</span> and <span>Cody Core</span> have done). Hopefully Wright will still have that opportunity this season.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/8/13879152/bengals-evaluating-whether-james-wright-injury-is-significantRebecca Toback2016-12-07T13:00:01-05:002016-12-07T13:00:01-05:00Where the Bengals’ defense goes from here
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NOaGrhw2Qc8cfjY0FcTmT4_Zonw=/0x41:2044x1404/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52171475/usa_today_9725185.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Could a strong showing against the Eagles by Paul Guenther’s unit mean that the Bengals’ defense has turned a corner? Regardless, the team must continue to play and trust its young defenders.</p> <p id="ZBuH9e">After getting torched by <span>Kirk Cousins</span> in London, the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> defense has looked much better overall than in the first half of the season. That hasn’t been enough to win many games and keep the team alive in the playoff hunt, but it is notable nonetheless, and it could be a positive sign for things to come next year.</p>
<p id="ctrBHL">In the four weeks since the bye, only five other defenses, that of the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Buccaneers</a>, <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a>, <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a>, <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a> and <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>, have given up fewer points. Some of that has to do with the fact that Cincinnati has faced two unimpressive offenses in Baltimore and Philadelphia most recently, but the former just destroyed a strong <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a> defense on Sunday. The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Bills</a> were banged up coming into the jungle and lost star running back LeSean McCoy to injury before halftime; that is true, but they had no problem running the ball without him, too. The <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> are a good bad team, meaning their record is better than they really are, and Cincinnati allowed a previously moribund running game to get yards when needed, too.</p>
<p id="UbTA7E">There are, though, some trends that could make this sustainable in the long term. <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/6/13861844/the-vontaze-burfict-take-youll-actually-enjoy-bengals">Vontaze Burfict is back in top form</a> and looks now like the linebacker everybody’s always wanted for the Bengals. The coaching staff has made a better effort to give the younglings more playing time, and defensive tackle De<span>Shawn Williams</span> had a good first game for Cincy against the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a>. That has also meant ineffective veterans like <span>Domata Peko</span> and <span>Rey Maualuga</span> have <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/5/13843280/bengals-week-13-snap-counts-did-lineup-changes-lead-to-win-over-eagles">seen their share of snaps decrease</a>, which is a positive thing because they aren’t that good anymore and also because they can play better in reduced roles. Think of relievers in baseball who add an extra two miles per hour to their fastballs.</p>
<p id="La0hRg">The Bengals haven’t been a good team in 2016, and the offense, with a lot of personnel turnover, struggled from the get go. The defense, on the other side, shocked many after being dismantled by <span>Trevor Siemi</span><span>a</span><span>n</span> in Week 3. Now, Paul Guenther’s unit looks better and carried the team after the bye, until the offense finally stepped up on Sunday against the Eagles.</p>
<aside id="N8zWJr"><div class="c-read-more">
<p class="c-read-more__intro">Read more</p>
<div class="c-read-more__story">
<div class="c-read-more__image">
<a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/5/13836638/what-changed-for-bengals-on-sunday-in-comparison-to-past-weeks-nfl-week-13">
<img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vzSlzAsgqBkb2RPj1EG-pW0XAJw=/0x211:4336x2650/1600x900/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52135579/627695186.0.jpeg" data-analytics-link="readmore:image">
</a>
</div>
<div class="c-read-more__meta">
<h2><a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/5/13836638/what-changed-for-bengals-on-sunday-in-comparison-to-past-weeks-nfl-week-13" data-analytics-link="readmore">What changed for Bengals on Sunday?</a></h2>
<p>The Bengals finally put a win on the board after going all November without one. Here, we discuss what went right in Week 13 compared to weeks prior.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div></aside><p id="G5POi2">Where does the defense go from here? Cincinnati still needs a good influx of young talent. There is no speed outside of <span>Geno Atkins</span> and Carlos Dunlap. Burfict is the only proven linebacker the team has. He also carries some risk, which we’ve seen. The young players have been on the field of late, but both rookies, William Jackson III and <span>Andrew Billings</span> redshirted their first season in the pros. There is no hidden gem waiting in the wings, and guys like <span>Darqueze Dennard</span> and <span>Will Clarke</span> barely retain prospect status. The secondary has depth despite <span>George Iloka</span> regressing some without Nelson. Guenther can shuffle <span>Derron Smith</span> and Shawn Williams around and injuries have allowed seventh-round pick <span>Clayton Fejedelem</span> to play a bit.</p>
<p id="TW53wq">A better offense could have made this defense look better, too. When you are playing with the lead, you can do more on the other end. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincinnati.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnfl%2Fbengals%2F2016%2F12%2F05%2Fcincinnati-bengals-defense-eyes-top-spot-second-half%2F95004342%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2016%2F12%2F7%2F13856568%2Fwhere-the-bengals-defense-goes-from-here" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Burfict said Guenther can’t be as aggressive as he’d like because of the score</a>, as the Bengals have often fallen behind early, but other than himself and Shawn Williams the Bengals lack good second-level rushers. They’ve been burnt all season when they’ve blitzed, sometimes because their secondary makes a mistake but most of the time because they barely got home, as was the case against the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a>.</p>
<p id="E9kyl8">The Bengals need to keep evaluating the young guys they have so Lewis can identify who should stay and earn more playing time. We know Lewis often sides with the veterans in spite of their lack of production, but the Bengals can avoid a lost season if they at least get their plan right going forward. Injuries on offense have finally opened up the door for guys like <span>Cody Core</span>, and inefficiency has gotten <span>Jake Fisher</span> into the action, too. The same is happening on defense. Just four weeks ago, the Bengals doubled down on their veterans with the signing of <span>Wallace Gilberry</span>, but he was out on Sunday with an injury, too.</p>
<p id="DToENP">The way the Bengals run their 4-3 scheme, they need to give Dunlap and Atkins help. That means more of DeShawn Williams, while also reducing Peko’s playing time. That was a good sight to see on Sunday. In the future, they can keep Peko in the same role that <span>Pat Sims</span> has had in 2016, and Billings can man the nose tackle position. The Bengals also then need to add speed. They like their big and long defensive ends, like <span>Michael Johnson</span>, <span>Margus Hunt</span> and Clarke, but we saw against the Eagles that only Atkins and Dunlap impact the game, and that will be a problem again in 2017 if they don’t bring in reinforcements.</p>
<p id="NcgynF">Burfict is finally manning the middle - not only in their nickel defense. That is great. He makes everybody better out there and is incredibly smart on the field. The middle is where he should be going forward. He looked fantastic on Sunday and the second interception is good proof. <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/5/13843280/bengals-week-13-snap-counts-did-lineup-changes-lead-to-win-over-eagles">Maualuga playing only 11% of the snaps</a> is one of the best things the Bengals are doing. He can’t move laterally and is slower than ever. <span>Nick Vigil</span> will need to show more in practice to earn playing time, because he’s looked lost while on the field. He is not a sure bet for the future, but the Bengals need to take a look at him, as they have so many other needs to address in the draft. If they have a starting weak side linebacker already on the roster, they need to find out. <span>Vincent Rey</span> is a fine fourth-linebacker, but <span>Karlos Dansby</span> should start transitioning into a full-time backup until the end of the season.</p>
<aside id="ZXW00Z"><div class="c-read-more">
<p class="c-read-more__intro">Read more</p>
<div class="c-read-more__story">
<div class="c-read-more__image">
<a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/5/13836694/vontaze-burfict-comes-up-huge-in-win-over-eagles">
<img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JLDJVfKEFhOPWv4AQXyVIO8z-No=/0x293:2609x1761/1600x900/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52134781/627694436.0.jpeg" data-analytics-link="readmore:image">
</a>
</div>
<div class="c-read-more__meta">
<h2><a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/5/13836694/vontaze-burfict-comes-up-huge-in-win-over-eagles" data-analytics-link="readmore">Vontaze Burfict comes up huge in win over Eagles</a></h2>
<p>Cincinnati’s star-crossed linebacker had another great performance against the Eagles to help propel the Bengals to a much-needed win.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div></aside><p id="FjTEI1">The recent good run from the defense is encouraging. They’ve faced mediocre offenses and finally got help from <span>Andy Dalton</span> and company on Sunday, but they’ve given young players more time on-the-field and we have been able to evaluate them a bit. Ideally, we should see more of this in whatever is left of the season, and the coaching staff needs to keep trusting those guys, even if the can’t stop the Steelers or the Ravens.</p>
<p id="hOpNG9">If Lewis and Guenther turn back to the veterans like, say, deactivating DeShawn Williams when Gilberry is healthy again, then, you can say it feels like a lost season. The Bengals might not have any stars-in-the-making waiting for their chance - hopefully Jackson and Billings could prove to be that - but the only way they will know what they have on the roster is by giving them a chance now. The snap distribution on Sunday against the Eagles was refreshing and hopefully it leans more toward that in the next four games.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/7/13856568/where-the-bengals-defense-goes-from-heremuertedeatenas2016-12-07T11:00:02-05:002016-12-07T11:00:02-05:00Vote: Bengals Week 13 Unsung Hero vs Eagles
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kJQ0QXdlg_E7X8T41CXkkv5gYJ4=/0x0:3495x2330/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52166763/usa-today-9725023.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Week 13 provided us with many nominees for the Unsung Hero award. Which Bengals player would you vote for?</p> <p>Most of the time when we do the Unsung Hero award here at Cincy Jungle, it's more about nominating performances from <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> players that may have gone overlooked in that particular week. However, on the occasions where the Bengals have a truly dominant performance, it sort of becomes a secondary MVP-type of situation.</p>
<p>Many of the skill positions on offense had big days, but the defense also had a good afternoon, holding the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Eagles</a> to just 14 points--mostly late in the game. Because of the amount of solid performances, we have a number of nominees for the Unsung Hero of Week 13. Who gets your vote?</p>
<p><i style="font-weight: bold;">Wide Receiver Brandon LaFell: </i>After a season of ups and downs, LaFell had his best game as a Bengal against Philadelphia. He made a number of solid catches, mostly highlighted by a nice toe-tap touchdown catch in the red zone. LaFell finished with five catches for 95 yards and the touchdown. He now leads the team with five on the year.</p>
<p><i style="font-weight: bold;">Running Back Jeremy Hill: </i>It wasn't a banner day for Hill, but he did get a tough touchdown run on the afternoon. Yards seemed tough to come by, as he only netted 33 yards on 23 carries, but it was that score that puts him on this list. He also added two catches for 12 yards in the passing game.</p>
<p><i style="font-weight: bold;">Tight End Tyler Eifert: </i>Eifert's nomination on this list is akin to Hill's appearance on it. Eifert only had two catches on the afternoon, but once again got into the end zone. He has touchdown receptions in the past two consecutive games and finished with two catches for 25 yards and the 13-yard score against the Eagles.</p>
<p><i style="font-weight: bold;">Linebacker Vontaze Burfict: </i>Some could say that Burfict's snub on our MVP award is sacrilege, but his massive presence on Sunday didn't go unnoticed. The Pro Bowl linebacker had 15 total tackles, 10 of them solo, and had two interceptions of rookie <span>Carson Wentz</span>.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/awards/2016/12/7/13862138/week-13-unsung-hero-offense-and-defense-deserve-credit-for-bengalsAnthony Cosenza2016-12-07T07:00:01-05:002016-12-07T07:00:01-05:00Weekly Lineman: Fisher’s inexperience and Dunlap’s hands on display vs Eagles
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<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Before his injury, Jake Fisher split reps at right tackle with Eric Winston. How did he do?</p> <p id="1aB8kd">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> have not given up this season. Some teams who enter December with only three wins lose all hope and signs of competitiveness (looking at you <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">Jets</a>), but not this team. And that was evident when the team decided to bench right tackle <span>Cedric Ogbuehi</span>, and have backup left tackle <span>Jake Fisher</span> rotate with <span>Eric Winston</span>, who started that game and played the opening two series. <span>Ogbuehi</span> and Winston have been rotating for a few weeks now, but with Ogbuehi’s performance still a major hindrance to the offense, the coaches decided to give <span>Fisher</span> a try. The players were notified last <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/5/13839400/jake-fisher-finally-gets-time-at-right-tackle-hopeful-to-play-next-week">Wednesday that the change was being made</a>. A handful of reps stood out to me from Fisher, let’s have a look:</p>
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<p id="Pay4bd">Fisher’s natural athleticism was his most valuable attribute coming out of the fast paced Oregon offense. The former tight end turned tackle tested at elite levels at the 2015 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">Scouting Combine</a>, measuring in the 90th percentile or better in the 40 Yard Dash, Vertical Jump, 3-Cone Drill, and even tested in the 100th percentile in the 20 Yard Shuttle.</p>
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<p id="QjS3BG">And starting with the first snap he was on the field, midway through the second quarter, the Bengals utilized Fisher in a way they couldn’t with either Ogbuehi or Winston:</p>
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<p id="14CR0D">I am a fan of this play design, as it plays to everyone’s strengths. <span>Clint Boling</span> and <span>Kevin Zeitler</span> beautifully execute their pulls, <span>Russell Bodine</span> and <span>Andrew Whitworth</span> have simple tasks to pin shaded defensive tackles, and Fisher gets to use that upper-tier speed and quickness to eliminate the backside linebacker in the second level. </p>
<p id="QuGbmi"><span>Brandon La</span><span>F</span><span>ell</span> was motioned toward the formation to cutoff left defensive end <span>Brandon Graham</span>, but Graham did a great job of recovering and ran down <span>Jeremy Hill</span>, who only got three yards due to the shuffling of his feet when he tried to cut upfield. It would not be the last time Graham made a great play this game, in fact, it took him about 30 seconds to do it again.</p>
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<p id="kiikAL">On the very next snap, the Bengals ran the same exact play with two differences. One, there was no one to delay Graham on the backside from running down the play this time, and Hill took the handoff from Andy Dalton’s left side. But the blocking assignments are identical, the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a> just knew it was going to be the same play beforehand and demolished it, while Fisher ran downfield, blocking nobody and remaining unaware of the disaster behind him. But that’s not on him.</p>
<p id="0QAkxZ">On third-and-11 on the next snap, they’re looking downfield to convert, which puts Fisher up against Graham for the first time:</p>
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<p id="PQmNCk">This is really where Ogbuehi and Fisher’s struggles differentiate. Where Ogbuehi is passive and gets overpowered easily, Fisher is over-aggressive in his timing and has trouble landing his hands on rushers. He gets caught lunging and Graham makes him pay with a simple inside swim. The Eagles defender won the rep outright. Graham did get called for roughing the passer for his low hit on Dalton, but it doesn’t diminish how foolish he made Fisher look.</p>
<p id="hSnb4T">Graham had one more play in him against Fisher later in the quarter:</p>
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<p id="UgFraM">I’ve no doubt Fisher was kicking himself while watching this on film this week. He gets a great jump to get inside positioning on this reach block, but it ends up screwing him over in the end. Because he and Zeitler weren’t in sync with their first steps, Fisher trips over Zeitler’s foot and collapses against Graham, who again, made the tackle. </p>
<p id="W5JJSB">Finally, with under a minute left in the second quarter, Fisher got a break from Graham, but the same issues arise here as well against Graham’s backup <span>Marcus Smith</span>:</p>
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<p id="mgLnML">This was weird to see. His kickslide is fine and he mirrors <span>Smith</span> well, but then he twitches and rotates a tiny bit inside and opens his hands way too wide, as if he expected <span>Smith</span> to try and go inside. We then see a desperate lunge and Smith winning the rep, but unable to finish. </p>
<p id="sxMINn">Fisher rotated in and out with Winston, as planned for the remainder of the game (until he got hurt in the fourth quarter) and the line didn’t give up a sack all afternoon. And for the most part, while Fisher didn’t always look good, it was as good as you could hope for from someone who hasn’t played any significant snaps in his NFL career. Fisher has the physical tools to succeed, it’s just things that require more reps that need working out. Timing is so important in an offensive lineman’s craft, and it’s really the biggest hurdle Fisher needs to overcome. Once the game slows down for him, he has the quickness and strength to hold down the right tackle spot. But that won’t happen unless he sees the field more.</p>
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<p id="cIiGjX">Switching gears toward the defense, <span>Carlos Dunlap</span> had himself a day. With four tackles, half a sack, three QB hits and <strong>four </strong>passes defended, he was clearly the second best defender on the field, behind Vontaze Burfict. Of his multiple tipped passes, his first of the day was the most impressive in my eyes:</p>
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<p id="62cuxc">Coming from the wide nine spot, Dunlap gathered enough speed to take the right tackle all the way to the middle of the pocket, and he kept his eyes on quarterback <span>Carson Wentz</span> to determine when to get his hand up. Dunlap singlehandedly forced himself into a throwing lane he had no business being in, and timed the tip perfectly. Dunlap’s not tied for sixth in the league in passes defended for no reason, his length and as <span>Charles Davis</span> put it: “innate sense” for knowing when to get his hands up. is a lethal combination. </p>
<p id="7aURVm">His hands and length do more for him than just ending passes, his half-sack was also a great demonstration of his savviness:</p>
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<p id="4xENbA">This is just unfair to the right tackle and the blame is really on Wentz more than anything. Scouts like long armed edge rushers for reasons like this. His extension negates any initial punch the right tackle tries on Dunlap, and then Dunlap uses his bend to turn the corner and eventually run down an unaware Wentz. Dunlap was in control the whole time because his hands and length keep him away from any position where he can’t win. And that’s the sign of a truly formidable talent.</p>
<p id="ZOuycS">So, solid weeks for both lines, and that should continue this week against the 0-12 <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a>. </p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/7/13863472/weekly-lineman-fisher-inexperience-dunlap-hands-on-display-vs-eagles-film-room-week-13John Sheeran