Cincy Jungle - NFL Week 2 2017: Houston Texans at Cincinnati BengalsWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2017-09-22T15:37:47-04:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/160657452017-09-22T15:37:47-04:002017-09-22T15:37:47-04:00The Orange and Black Insider Bengals podcast: Packing it in
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<img alt="NFL: Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OjIZwMe6ZxBkbAkH8yQzkp9DLYk=/0x0:4628x3085/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56812957/usa_today_10292407.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After a rough two games to start 2017, the Bengals head to Green Bay to take on the Packers. What should Bill Lazor prioritize in his debut as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator? We discuss these topics and much more this week. </p> <p id="WzYwQs">After an 0-2 start, the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> are entering desperation mode. They travel to Green Bay this week for a very tough test against the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> and are hoping that a change at offensive coordinator will cure what has been ailing them.</p>
<p id="OWxvPP">What should Bill Lazor prioritize in his new role as the team’s offensive coordinator? Can the Bengals pull off an upset against Green Bay and turn their season around?</p>
<p id="CjUf2s">We also received a couple of great questions from our listeners this week. One asked us how long the leash is with <span>Andy Dalton</span> and what might happen if he struggles this week. Another pointed out the recent top draft picks under <span>Marvin Lewis</span> and noted their struggles with performance and injuries. Are we overrating this staff’s ability to recognize talent in the facet where they place most of their resources?</p>
<p id="PmsxlE">You can join us live every episode here at Cincy Jungle or on YouTube. We look forward to you tuning in and chatting with other Bengals fans!</p>
<p id="O6SJt3"><em><strong>You can download the </strong></em><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fuser-608248362%2Fthe-orange-and-black-insider-bengals-podcast-packing-it-in&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2017%2F9%2F22%2F16350392%2Fthe-orange-black-insider-bengals-podcast-packing" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em><strong>audio clip of the program on SoundCloud</strong></em></a><em><strong>.</strong></em></p>
<p id="whqtSn"><small><em><strong>If you’re unable to join us live, all Orange and Black Insider content is here on Cincy Jungle, as well as on our </strong></em></small><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fuser-608248362" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><small><em><strong>SoundCloud</strong></em></small></a><small><em><strong> and </strong></em></small><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVaXlewzr5_f-iEhxa6ij_g"><small><em><strong>YouTube channels</strong></em></small></a><small><em><strong>, and </strong></em></small><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Fthe-orange-and-black-insider%2Fid1142320492" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><small><em><strong>on iTunes</strong></em></small></a><small><em><strong>! You can tweet us </strong></em></small><a href="https://twitter.com/BengalsOBI"><small><em><strong>@BengalsOBI</strong></em></small></a><small><em><strong> or get in touch with us via email at theobinsider@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!</strong></em></small></p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/22/16350392/the-orange-black-insider-bengals-podcast-packingAnthony Cosenza2017-09-21T09:00:02-04:002017-09-21T09:00:02-04:00Weekly Lineman: All hail Geno Atkins
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<figcaption>Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We don’t deserve No. 97. But we’ll happily have him in Cincinnati anyway.</p> <p id="0o5wvz">It’s good to know when everything else is falling flat, there are players like <span>Geno Atkins</span> to pick up the slack.</p>
<p id="7ls7Lf">This isn’t the first time this column has singled out the eighth-year veteran, and it probably won’t be the last. When someone sticks out as much as Atkins did against the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> last Thursday night, he deserves an equal amount of attention after the fact. Let’s dive into his many dominating reps.</p>
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<p id="1mBalT">He’s a tone setter, if you ask me.</p>
<p id="hKbjTn">On the very first drive of the game for the Texans, left guard <span>Xavier Su’a-Filo</span> is given a dirt nap. This quick bull rush gives linebacker <span>Vincent Rey</span> a path to the quarterback, which leads the center to trip over the Atkins reverse-pancake. Rey then gets the pressure that forces an incompletion from quarterback <span>Deshaun Watson</span>, who will learn to fear Atkins many times later on in this contest.</p>
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<p id="pRPHPa">He’s just too powerful to down-block him, and he’s too quick to evade. This was the first of a couple of times Atkins works his way instantly off the backside of a zone run. Before the handoff is even completed, Atkins has already penetrated the center-right guard a gap after lining up on the outside shoulder of right guard Greg Mancz. He gets his hands on a play he shouldn’t have had anything to do with, and leads running back <span>Lamar Miller</span> into a squad of <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> for a loss on the play.</p>
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<p id="wrEAZW">Low man wins—especially in double teams. This is one of the better examples you can find just to get an idea how much force Atkins has in the lower half of his body. His first steps have him trying to split the double team instantly. </p>
<p id="2sxA2w">Left tackle <span>Chris Clark</span> and Su’a-Filo have him at an extremely compromising position, so he has to reset his plant foot twice and <em>still </em>gives up no ground against two blockers. </p>
<aside id="AMKNIr"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Bengals rookie report: Jordan Willis starts, John Ross benched vs Texans","url":"http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/20/16329162/nfl-week-2-bengals-rookie-report-jordan-willis-john-ross-texans"},{"title":"ESPN gives Bengals slim chance of making NFL playoffs","url":"http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/20/16334288/espn-bengals-slim-chance-2018-nfl-playoffs"}]}'></div></aside><p id="q6GBQP">It appears running back <span>D’Onta Foreman</span> actually makes the wrong read and misses his the hole formed between Su’a-Filo and center <span>Nick Martin</span>, but running behind a double team on the three-technique usually works for most teams. It doesn’t against Atkins.</p>
<p id="f9siUO">Just look at the next time it happened:</p>
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<p id="we4KxB">These two went from getting no push to a negative push. Su’a-Filo’s job is to work off the double team and advance to the second level to meet linebacker <span>Nick Vigil</span>, but Atkins and his aforementioned super-human lower leg drive wrecks this play design to shreds, and leads the charge for the stuff just past the line of scrimmage.</p>
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<p id="geYO1S">Two separate angles are needed for this one. You can notice the left guard is the first one off the ball (maybe even before the snap, but that doesn’t matter now) and Atkins mirrors his movement to a tee, so much that he’s the one to initiate the contact and gets immediate push. He penetrates so quickly that Martin can’t get over in time to slow him down and it becomes another stuffed run.</p>
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<p id="CwKg6u">For the sake of bandwidth, let’s look at Atkins’s encounters with Watson as he took him down. The first sack is essentially a hustle sack, as Watson dances around in the pocket against a four man rush on third down. While a double team is handling <span>Carlos Dunlap</span> inside, Atkins twists around it and chases down Watson from behind. </p>
<p id="ZXw1m6">Another twist is precisely how the second sack happened. Atkins awaits right defensive end <span>Jordan Willis</span> to attack the B gap, causing the right guard to concentrate on the pressing Willis. Atkins casually bends around the edge and goes untouched, meeting a surprised Watson. Big No. 97 makes sure he knows it’s him bearing down on the rookie.</p>
<p id="3HKdzy">The final pressure is in the fourth quarter. The Bengals’ offense is knee-deep in it’s own issues, but Atkins still plays with his hair on fire. Su’a-Filo took many losses on the night and this one wasn’t any better than the rest. With a simple inside swim move, Atkins sends him flailing in the dust and forces Watson to get the ball out before getting pushed to the ground.</p>
<p id="u16R99">One of the bigger storylines this offseason was <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a> defensive tackle <span>Aaron Donald</span> holding out from the team all the way up to this past Sunday. Donald is the most dominant interior defensive lineman in the game and deserves every dollar he’ll eventually get, but before there was Donald, Atkins set the standard for the phenomenon that is the undersized three-technique tackle. </p>
<p id="sgA0Mh">Like Donald, Atkins elevates his defense to a completely different level and is far and away the best player in their respective units. <span>Vontaze Burfict</span> may be the heart, but Atkins does so much to make everyone’s job around him that much easier. Atkins’ contract is up after next season and as long as he’s here, I hope he never feel the dissatisfaction that Donald felt this offseason because this team owes Atkins more than they can ever pay him.</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/21/16334634/weekly-lineman-all-hail-geno-atkinsJohn Sheeran2017-09-20T07:00:02-04:002017-09-20T07:00:02-04:00Bengals rookie report: Jordan Willis starts, John Ross benched vs Texans
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<figcaption>Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It was not long before Ross left the field on Thursday night, only it wasn’t injury that took him off it</p> <p id="xg7gh4">In a span of 107 hours, the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> went from hopeful to desperate. Now sitting at 0-2 on a week-and-a-half break, they’ve given opportunities to their youngest players and taken away some in return as well. Here’s our week 2 rookie report from the Thursday night disappointment against Houston:</p>
<h2 id="onqAfd">Active</h2>
<p id="U4TpOm"><span>John Ross</span></p>
<p id="NOqrGR"><span>Joe Mixon</span></p>
<p id="WuLhu1"><span>Jordan Willis</span></p>
<p id="qdfSea"><span>Carl Lawson</span></p>
<p id="uOx4pe"><span>Ryan Glasgow</span></p>
<p id="269R4O"><span>Jordan Evans</span></p>
<p id="51Zxoa"><span>Cethan Carter</span></p>
<p id="v8E3ks"><span>Hardy Nickerson</span></p>
<h2 id="ecCrth">Inactive</h2>
<p id="96G1JS"><span>Josh Malone</span></p>
<h1 id="zwMUvx">John Ross</h1>
<p id="u9j0P0">All offseason long, the two primary topics surrounding the John Ross dialog were: how much he would impact the offense, and how well the offense would actually use him. </p>
<p id="hkAi64">Turns out, the optimists win round one. </p>
<p id="vu3jB8">Ross went off against a depleted Texas secondary. He hauled in five receptions off six targets and racked up 112 yards in an electrifying performance in his first ever game, which included a 53-touchdown off a slant route for his first career touchdown. </p>
<p id="JysVNU">Many thought head coach <span>Marvin Lewis</span> would bench the rookie after he fumbled his first touch on a reverse handoff. But Lewis, against his predominantly stingy nature towards younger players, kept Ross in the game for the greater good, and it sure panned out for...</p>
<p id="SQt8PR">Well, we know that never happened. </p>
<p id="yYAaK0">Ross never saw the field after that fumble. He was benched after <span>Kareem Jackson</span> made a literal heads-up play by jarring the ball loose from Ross’s tight grip with his cranium.</p>
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<p id="QEyDlq">Say that happens to <span>A.J. Green</span>. There’s not a chance in the world he gets benched. There’s no need for an explanation why. His value to the entire scheme of things is topped by no one. You can’t bench him for a fluke fumble that very little in his position would be able to prevent. It would be ridiculous. Sometimes the other guy makes a tremendous play. You move onto the next one. </p>
<p id="RwIqIN">Ross carried his own significant value in this game, and all of it was diminished because of implied social contract between Lewis and the young players that he is a major part of acquiring months prior to every season. He was capable of coming back from that play and at the very least providing a wrinkle in an offense with an identity crisis, and his one mistake prevented any of that from occurring. </p>
<p id="ig9Jmn">The vast disparity between the lack of off-field discipline and the overage of inconvenient on-field discipline from Lewis towards his players is one of the biggest blemishes on his now 15-year resume in Cincinnati.</p>
<h1 id="MF4hR4">Joe Mixon</h1>
<p id="Jey3X4">After an unpleasing stat line last week, Mixon came away with modest production on continued limited work. He ran for 36 yards on nine carries on 16 snaps. He’s yet to achieve a run longer than eight yards, but we can look at the little things on a better performance than four days prior.</p>
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<p id="MXqYmK">Creating your own yards as a back is such an intangible process at its core. Like a quarterback identifying the safeties and looking them off when progressing the field in the pocket, the way Mixon can look off linebackers behind the line of scrimmage is impressive. </p>
<p id="dPdIZO">When plays like these aren’t blocked well at the first level, the defense has to maintain their run fits and not get caught behind the mess, or else the slightest holes can open up and negative yardage can turn into a routine 4-5 yards, as we see for the first and third plays respectively. Mixon can accelerate off the jump cut and preserve his balance to get skinny through the hole, or make someone else miss sequentially. </p>
<p id="AKj51g">That third play is textbook <em>effective </em>patience, he presses the line and gets the linebackers to stack on top of one another, effectively creating a lane where the alley player in the form of the safety has to come in and make the stop. It’d be great if they actually allow Mixon to get into a rhythm and not force a three-back committee down the game plan’s throat. Maybe that’s on new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor’s agenda. We’ll see.</p>
<h1 id="qnldnf">Jordan Willis</h1>
<p id="6OZ1IL">The first member of the Bengals 2017 draft class to record a game started is Jordan Willis at right defensive end. He didn’t do too much as a pass rusher, as Carl Lawson supplanted him on third down for the most part, but he looked pretty solid in run defense. He rarely lost the edge and showed some of the snap-to-whistle hustle that the Bengals loved about him at Kansas State. Here he is stacking and shedding backup left tackle <span>Chris Clark</span>:</p>
<div id="xqQlGO"><div style="width:100%;height:0px;position:relative;padding-bottom:44.340%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/s/5wscz/yctbfs" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen="" style="width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;left:0px;top:0px;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="5zSb23">Quarterback Deshaun Watson had that 49 rushing touchdown, and rushed for 18 yards on his four other carries, he went nowhere on this read option because of Willis:</p>
<div id="bn8fZ5"><div style="width:100%;height:0px;position:relative;padding-bottom:44.914%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/s/hkcyo/yrscoc" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen="" style="width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;left:0px;top:0px;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="YOOGh6">With this start under his belt, Willis is up to 71 snaps on the season, and with Michael Johnson’s concussion clouding his chances to go in week 3, Willis looks to be in line to start against Green Bay, who just played Atlanta without both of their starting tackles. </p>
<aside id="0yDTw3"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"NFL Week 2: Bengals’ snap count distribution vs Texans favors veterans over youth","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/18/16327800/nfl-week-2-bengals-snap-count-texans-favors-veterans-youth"},{"title":"Bengals work out Jerod Evans, Moritz Boehringer among others","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/18/16330466/bengals-jerod-evans-moritz-boehringer-monday"}]}'></div></aside><h1 id="f1WQVu"><strong>Carl Lawson</strong></h1>
<p id="T5lKyd">Despite the decreased bodies at defensive end, Lawson actually saw a decrease in his snaps on Thursday, as he only found the field 17 times compared to the 23 snaps he saw against Baltimore. This can be attributed to Houston’s designed run percentage of 56% percent. He didn’t see the field because they only threw the ball 24 times, but he still got a hit on Watson. And he’s tied for the league lead among rookie edge rushers in pressures:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Most pressures among rookie defensive linemen:<br><br>1 (tie). Deatrich Wise, Patriots (7)<br>1 (tie). Carl Lawson, Bengals (7)</p>— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_Mike/status/909839679003987968">September 18, 2017</a>
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<p id="nJJc08">Going from Houston to Green Bay will mean a lot more nickel packages for the Bengals defense to try and slow down <span>Aaron Rodgers</span>, so expect Lawson to see the field a bit more.</p>
<h1 id="TAMbbT">Ryan Glasgow</h1>
<p id="zpFU58">Once again the newer fourth-round defensive tackle out snapped the fourth-round pick from a year ago in Andrew Billings. He’s fully entrenched in that backup 3 technique spot behind <span>Geno Atkins</span>, but he hasn’t quite made an impact when relieving the all-pro. He wasn’t the most productive interior player in college, and he doesn’t have tremendous athleticism to help him out early on, so like most in his position, he’s just going through the motions and learning as he goes. </p>
<p id="SX2nDU">Glasgow is one of the three true first-year guys making major contributions on this defensive line. The splash plays will come, the hope is there’s not too many trash plays in between, and so far, he’s been in position and filling gaps. </p>
<h1 id="KUDXhc">Jordan Evans, Cethan Carter and Hardy Nickerson</h1>
<p id="3fKCKq">All three of these rookies were active but did not see the field other than on special teams. It’s unclear whether tight end <span>C.J. Uzomah</span> is soon to come back from his knee injury, and with the recent news of <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/18/16328198/bengals-injury-news-tyler-eifert-2-injuries-week-3-packers">Tyler Eifert’s uncertainty for week 3</a>, maybe it’s Carter’s time for snaps at the position.</p>
<h3 id="oozefQ">Coming up</h3>
<p id="yqfrhx">No one likes starting 0-2, and math says any playoff chances are all but evaporated. If this team wants to avoid the even worse 0-3 start, they have to bit the bullet with Ross and Mixon. They have to allow them to make mistakes, and trust them to recover and do more good than bad. </p>
<p id="G9DRin">You don’t get better at football by not playing football. If this staff with a new face calling the plays has any intention of getting into the endzone, those two have to be involved more than they have been.</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/20/16329162/nfl-week-2-bengals-rookie-report-jordan-willis-john-ross-texansJohn Sheeran2017-09-19T15:00:01-04:002017-09-19T15:00:01-04:00Dissecting what went wrong for Andy Dalton in Week 2
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<img alt="NFL: Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dh-7I68bQG2jzLkGAYZx1ChLo3w=/0x0:2159x1439/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56755245/usa_today_10280058.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In his final outing under Ken Zampese, let’s take a look at what went wrong—and what went right—for Andy Dalton against the Texans.</p> <p id="E9biqe">After a less then promising Thursday night outing, the Cincinnati <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> fired Ken Zampese, their second year offensive coordinator. Cincinnati has failed to reach the endzone after 118 plays with Zampese at the helm this season. <span>Andy Dalton</span>, who had a rough opening week, played much better on Thursday night than the fan outrage would lead one to believe. </p>
<p id="bGZThV">In Week 2 against the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a>, Dalton threw the ball 35 times completing 57.1% of his passes. This completion percentage is better then what <span>Carson Palmer</span>, <span>Cam Newton</span>, <span>Joe Flacco</span>, <span>Russell Wilson</span>, and even <span>Tom Brady</span> put up in their games in Week 1. He also didn’t throw one interception, despite a strong pass rush in <span>J.J. Watt</span> and <span>Jadeveon Clowney</span> and some shots deep down the field. The top issue with Dalton this season, obviously, is the lack of touchdowns through two games. </p>
<p id="SlqjlJ">Let’s start with one of Dalton’s early, positive plays, in which he found <span>A.J. Green</span> deep down the field in double coverage. It’s a three receiver play where Dalton had to decide quickly where to put the ball. Green was Dalton’s first read, and he gave Green a shot on this one by throwing it before the receiver broke on his route. The Texans were trying to double Green, and the cornerback on the other side even read Dalton’s eyes and dropped deep to help cover Green. This was a solid throw, giving Green a chance to make a play against a weaker secondary, and the star receiver delivered. </p>
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<p id="JJjnlh">Later, Dalton faced a third down needing three yards to move the sticks. Houston rushed four and Dalton’s first read was Brandon LaFell. LaFell stuck the cornerback with a great stop and go move, and found a bubble in the secondary since the safety was watching the underneath route. Dalton overthrew LaFell on this route and had he not it would have been a huge gain. But, If Dalton waited and gave the play more time to develop, he would had made the safety choose between the underneath route or LaFell, and would have had the crossing receiver for 10 to 15 yards and a first down.</p>
<aside id="FM00xY"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"What they’re saying about the Bengals’ loss to Texans","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/19/16327768/nfl-week-2-saying-about-bengals-loss-texans"},{"title":"The good, bad and ugly in Bengals’ TNF loss to Texans","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/analysis/2017/9/19/16322990/bengals-vs-texans-good-bad-ugly-nfl-week-2"}]}'></div></aside><p id="2PdNpN">It wouldn’t have been the big play fans wanted, but it would have continued the drive and given the Bengals a chance to put together a better drive instead of punting. The cornerback and safety on the near side of the field were covering Green who had a stop and go route, leaving the crossing receiver plenty of space to make the catch in stride and get some yards on a run. </p>
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<p id="sLCEkO">On the final play we’ll look at, Dalton was strapped for time, and the offense needed to push the ball down the field to put points on the board. Dalton stood in the pocket despite the pass rush, cycled through his progression and tossed a perfectly timed pass over the linebacker to <span>Tyler Eifert</span>. Eifert caught the pass in stride and took a hit, brining the Bengals across midfield. This throw is exactly what the Bengals look for on plays like this, as Green again drew the deeper safety over toward his side of the field, giving Eifert just enough space to make the grab. </p>
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<p id="ylyVDr">This was one of Dalton’s better throws on the night, and was one Cincinnati could have came back to as Houston’s secondary got hurt and worn out. The line did a great job of giving Dalton just enough time to deliver the ball, and the timing between Dalton and Eifert was great. With all the pass-catching weapons the Bengals possess, Dalton and the offense could stand to try more shots down the field like this to give players like <span>Cody Core</span>, <span>Alex Erickson</span> and <span>John Ross</span> the opportunity to make some plays against weaker members of opposing secondaries.</p>
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<p id="YGry4U">When Bill Lazor takes over takes over the offense this week, I anticipate him looking to get the offensive weapons involved deeper down the field. To execute this, the offensive line has to give Dalton time to deliver the ball, and Dalton has to keep passes from sailing over the head of receivers. On Thursday night, Dalton proved he was capable of this, supplying Eifert and Green the ball on the above mentioned plays. With that said, Dalton does have a lot of room to improve and missed a handful of throws to open receivers that could have changed the outcome of the game. The Bengals lost and failed to make it to the endzone, but still, the Texans won by only four points.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/19/16320708/film-room-dissecting-andy-dalton-thursday-night-footballAndrew T Hamilton2017-09-19T12:45:02-04:002017-09-19T12:45:02-04:00What they’re saying about the Bengals’ loss to Texans
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<img alt="Houston Texans v Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Mf3mo82DmFi8KZEKhKHEyZosTEc=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56752439/847171028.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Another week, another painful home loss that has fans and media up in arms. </p> <p id="8VI0zi">Two weeks into the 2017 NFL Season, the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> already have posted two losses. </p>
<p id="0XmFuq">Although it is still early in the season, it sure feels like something needs to change now if there is going to be any hope of salvaging something respectable. That said, changes seem to be why the Bengals are in this mess to begin with.</p>
<p id="oxh32m">After losing so many key free agents after an impressive 2015 season, the Bengals began rebuilding the coaching staff and roster, and they haven’t stopped since. Changes are the name of the game, and the Bengals have already made one major change since Thursday’s awful showing. </p>
<p id="kuOG66">Long-time assistant coach and second-year offensive coordinator Ken Zampese got the ax on Friday. It was the first time the Bengals have ever fired a coordinator during the season. </p>
<p id="igwIOZ">But, it was certainly warranted, as explained <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/watson-runs-td-leads-texans-bengals-13-debut-49863202">by the Associated Press, as the offense</a> has been absolutely putrid this season.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="hJyjCE">The <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a> (1-1) got the most out of their depleted offense, and then let their defense do the rest. The Bengals (0-2) have failed to score a touchdown in their two games to open a season for the first time in their 50 seasons.</p>
<p id="0UyqRp">The Bengals are the first team since the 1939 <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a> to open a season with two home games and fail to get in the end zone, according to information from the Elias Sports Bureau shared by ESPN.</p>
<p id="oJSSe1">"I am shocked," coach <span>Marvin Lewis</span> said.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="3IWKjR">That said, Zampese was not the only one with a target on his back after the poor performance. Reports have also been swirling about dissatisfaction with quarterback <span>Andy Dalton</span>. </p>
<p id="4oqsr0">It was his week one performance against the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> (16-of-31 for 170 yards, four interceptions and one fumble) that marked him as a potential target for the frustration of Bengals fans. He looked better against the Texans, although he was still unable to put the ball in the end zone.</p>
<p id="qBj2pb">Despite not turning the ball over against the Texans, a lot of blame seems to be focusing on Dalton without Zampese to absorb the brunt. Whether or not that is fair, it is, according to<a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/09/17/the-next-move-in-cincinnati-could-be-the-quarterback/"> Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the way the wind</a> currently seems to be blowing.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="cjVuUa">After playing two games only four days apart and scoring a grand total of no touchdowns in 120 minutes of football at home and putting coach Marvin Lewis in the throes of a “near mutiny,” the Bengals changed offensive coordinators. Next, they could be changing quarterbacks.</p>
<p id="u6xbO0">The team insists that quarterback Andy Dalton is safe. But the feeling within the locker room, we’re told, is that the leash isn’t quite so long, and that if the struggles continue under new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, the next one to go could be Dalton.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="CWrRi1">It is hard to blame those who are expressing frustration with Dalton. After all, he joins <span>Brian Hoyer</span> of the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> as the only two NFL quarterbacks with at least 40 passing attempts who have yet to throw a touchdown pass in 2017. </p>
<p id="fb60Dg">With so many weapons at his disposal, it is hard to justify such ineffective play from a position so often exposed to the spotlight.</p>
<aside id="10ocVi"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Boyd denies \"practice habits\" caused benching; opens up about Zampese","url":"http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/19/16329414/tyler-boyd-practice-habits-benching-ken-zampese"},{"title":"Tyler Eifert dealing with 2 injuries heading into Week 3","url":"http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/18/16328198/bengals-injury-news-tyler-eifert-2-injuries-week-3-packers"},{"title":"Bengals player: we just lost to the worst team in league","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/15/16311036/nfl-week-2-bengals-lost-worst-team-texans"}]}'></div></aside><p id="Wvtaa8">That said, it certainly isn’t all Dalton’s fault, as pointed out by <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/18/peter-king-nfl-week-2-ten-things">Peter King of Monday Morning QB. The state of the offensive line</a> isn’t helping at all.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="Hk5gc3">If we’re compiling a 12.5 Percent of the Season NFL all-pro team, I’d better see <span>Andrew Whitworth</span> get some consideration. Whitworth was Cincinnati’s left tackle last season. With former first-round tackle <span>Cedric Ogbuehi</span> waiting in the wings, the Bengals let Whitworth go to the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a> in free agency, and the decision has had a profound early effect on both teams. Via Pro Football Focus<em> </em>numbers, check out how Whitworth did in the first two Bengals games last season, and how <span>Ogbuehi</span> has done in his first two at left tackle for Cincinnati this year:</p>
<p id="wGVjOU">In those two games:</p>
<p id="flRtdD">Whitworth, pass-blocking errors: 1 per 48 Andy Dalton pass attempts (2 in 96).</p>
<p id="Lrbpd7">Ogbuehi, pass-blocking errors: 1 per 8.7 Andy Dalton pass attempts (9 in 78).</p>
<p id="SkUfQI">Now for the 2017 performance of Whitworth on the 1-1 Rams. After all, if he’s not playing worth a darn, the fact that the Bengals are awful on offense without him doesn’t mean he merits a nod for his great value.</p>
<p id="8p6XQ6">The PFF<em> </em>numbers for Whitworth’s first two games protecting Jared Goff’s blind side: 61 pass-drops by Goff … one sack allowed … zero hits allowed … zero hurries allowed.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="Am2M8R">The Bengals’ defense doesn’t seem to be having much of a problem. They haven’t exactly dominated, but they were solid throughout most of Week 1 (save for a rough second quarter), and generally kept the Texans’ offense at bay on Thursday. </p>
<p id="m460uo">The big question seems to be; where are all of these offensive weapons we keep hearing exist on the Bengals roster? Sure, Dalton hasn’t performed great, but he seems to be getting very little help.</p>
<p id="AIamAY">The Bengals might be the least-watchable team in the NFL, according to Twitter. Here is just a small sample of the not-so-nice tweets sent out in response to the game.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a> game is great... <a href="https://t.co/rIsV38nH5X">pic.twitter.com/rIsV38nH5X</a></p>— BLACK ADAM SCHEFTER (@B1ackSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/B1ackSchefter/status/908502117924638721">September 15, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Texans-Bengals: It’s sort of like watching a construction site where no construction is being done.</p>— Norman Chad (@NormanChad) <a href="https://twitter.com/NormanChad/status/908493936259325952">September 15, 2017</a>
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<div id="ifyBP6">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">JJ Watt just killed a man to seal the game for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HOUvsCIN?src=hash">#HOUvsCIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TNF?src=hash">#TNF</a> <a href="https://t.co/6I5Jgq4tiG">pic.twitter.com/6I5Jgq4tiG</a></p>— Let Me B-Frank (@letmebfrankblog) <a href="https://twitter.com/letmebfrankblog/status/908533363786567680">September 15, 2017</a>
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<div id="6XeiDB">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Houston NBC station cuts off end of Texans-Bengals game to report on result of Texans-Bengals game: <a href="https://t.co/wXsrIZMUh6">https://t.co/wXsrIZMUh6</a> <a href="https://t.co/DCsc2iYzZk">pic.twitter.com/DCsc2iYzZk</a></p>— Deadspin (@Deadspin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Deadspin/status/908709576727498752">September 15, 2017</a>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/19/16327768/nfl-week-2-saying-about-bengals-loss-texansKyle Phelps2017-09-19T11:30:02-04:002017-09-19T11:30:02-04:00The good, bad and ugly in Bengals’ TNF loss to Texans
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<img alt="Houston Texans v Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/o6IDluwjuQpVry66oPBvD6JuBBY=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56750663/847170374.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>There wasn’t much to like in the Bengals’ ugly home loss. We’re just hoping things get better before they potentially get worse. </p> <p id="tja5dS">There really isn’t much to say to fully summarize how badly the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> played on Thursday night as a preface to our good, bad and ugly series. While there were some positives, the 0-2 start doesn’t bode well for the team’s hopes of a 2017 rebound. </p>
<p id="rLiwsM">Here are the best and worst from the Bengals from the Thursday night loss.</p>
<h3 id="lT8gRi">The good:</h3>
<p id="ijwTQo"><em><strong>Special teams: </strong></em>If you thought the defense had played well with their backs constantly against the wall, multiple players on Darrin Simmons’ unit came up huge on Thursday. Kicker Randy Bullock nailed all three of his field goal attempts, while punter <span>Kevin Huber</span> pinned Houston inside of its own 20-yard line on six of his seven attempts. </p>
<p id="pZ8alK">Meanwhile, <span>Alex Erickson</span> and <span>Adam Jones</span> both contributed on their respective side of the ball and as return men. Erickson had 14 yards per punt return, to go with a 38-yard average on kickoffs, with big returns in each facet. Jones made some spectacular returns as well in his debut, including a 33-yard punt return.</p>
<p id="eR1CZG"><em><strong>Pass rush: </strong></em>Does Geno Atkins just get better with age? He had two more sacks on Thursday, bringing his total to three this year, and added another five tackles. Not many things are going right for the Bengals so far, but Atkins still remains an elite player in the NFL. </p>
<p id="JF30y4">I mean, good Lord.</p>
<div id="RUtsaS">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFL?src=hash">#NFL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeshaunWatson?src=hash">#DeshaunWatson</a>. Sincerely, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GenoAtkins?src=hash">#GenoAtkins</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals50?src=hash">#Bengals50</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLGifs?src=hash">#NFLGifs</a> <a href="https://t.co/94fmz0ks0b">pic.twitter.com/94fmz0ks0b</a></p>— NFL GIFs (@NFL___Gifs) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL___Gifs/status/908510898603651072">September 15, 2017</a>
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<p id="ImXjvR">Meanwhile, preseason star, Chris Smith, notched a sack of his own. For the most part, the defense is doing what’s needed to at least keep the team in the game at this point.</p>
<p id="qfGhsY"><em><strong>Bengals’ defense on third down: </strong></em>While there might have been a couple of frustrating moments of allowing some big conversions to the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a> offense late, Cincinnati’s defense still allowed Houston to convert just 26 percent of their third-down tries (4-of-15). </p>
<p id="wTPcyB"><em><strong>Some semblance of accountability: </strong></em>Offensive coordinator Ken Zampese was fired after the game, which is rare for a team to do in Week 2 of a season, much less in just the coordinator’s second season in the role. Still, change was needed, and the Bengals responded much earlier than they have in other previous instances of needed change. </p>
<aside id="AU8E7r"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Bengals fans react to Zampese firing; calling for McCarron to replace Dalton","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/16/16317986/bengals-fans-ken-zampese-firing-aj-mccarron-replace-andy-dalton"},{"title":"Firing Zampese was a huge first step. But after another embarrassing loss, is it enough?","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/17/16318576/reaction-5-bengals-texans-fire-ken-zampese"},{"title":"T.J. Houshmandzadeh calls out Andy Dalton for Bengals’ struggles","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/17/16322180/t-j-houshmandzadeh-andy-dalton-bengals-struggles"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="sG6OMd">The bad:</h3>
<p id="2KQ1h6"><em><strong>Run defense: </strong></em>For the second straight week, the Bengals were very stout against the pass, but a bit porous against the run. Also, in as many weeks, Cincinnati was playing from behind with their opposition attempting to grind out the clock on the ground. </p>
<p id="KJxjQw">Cincinnati was gashed for 168 rushing yards by the Texans, mostly from the nimble <span>Deshaun Watson</span>, who had 67 of them, including a 49-yard touchdown scamper. However, against the more traditional run styles of <span>D’Onta Foreman</span> and <span>Lamar Miller</span>, the Bengals defense held both of them under 4.0 yards per carry on 30 combined runs (101 combined yards). </p>
<p id="mvya0D"><em><strong>John Ross’ fumble and subsequent handling of the situation: </strong></em>Let’s get this straight: you want speed and excitement on offense, use a top-10 pick on potentially the most explosive player in the draft and then bench him at the first sign of trouble? Ross’s fumble was ugly, but it was also a pretty square hit by <span>Kareem Jackson</span> right on the football. </p>
<p id="W7YcXr">Want to know the best way to quickly destroy a young player’s confidence on a struggling team? Bench him for the rest of the game on his very first mistake as a pro. Bad call here by Zampese and <span>Marvin Lewis</span>. </p>
<p id="tZnCfd"><em><strong>Grabbing a single scapegoat, when others are needed: </strong></em>Look, Zampese needed to go. You simply can’t start the season with two straight home games against familiar foes and put up a collective nine points. However, other coaches and players in high-profile positions also need to be called out on offense, and no suggestion for possible improvement should be off of the table for discussion.</p>
<h3 id="sYS0Iq">The ugly:</h3>
<p id="0kiDq4"><em><strong>The offense...again: </strong></em>The last time the Bengals’ offense scored a touchdown was in the 2016 season finale against Baltimore at the hands of <span>Rex Burkhead</span>—a player who isn’t even in The Queen City anymore. The pass protection is awful, Dalton looks completely rattled, and they are having problems getting the football to a supposedly-stacked arsenal of skill positions. </p>
<p id="QxGxfF"><a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/15/16316344/bengals-bill-lazor-ken-zampese-offensive-coordinator">We’ll see if the promotion of Bill Lazor</a> in the wake of Zampese’s firing makes a difference in these areas, but cynicism has to linger. There is so much to clean up, and obvious struggles up front makes a rebound by the Bengals seem unlikely.</p>
<p id="r5vKID"><em><strong>The offensive line: </strong></em>It just keeps getting worse for the guys up front. Cincinnati’s supposed superstar trio of running backs, comprised of <span>Joe Mixon</span>, <span>Jeremy Hill</span> and <span>Giovani Bernard</span>, could only muster 63 yards on 20 carries (3.2 yards per carry). The biggest run of the night was just 12 yards, coming from Ross.</p>
<p id="gpU0gb">Meanwhile, they let up three more sacks to the vaunted Texans front, while also having trouble opening up lanes on trick plays. The Bengals pushed their chips to the center of the table this offseason with a lot of unproven and/or underwhelming offensive linemen, and they’re coming up bust. </p>
<p id="lCLlI8"><em><strong>Letting another inexperienced and mobile quarterback get a victory: </strong></em>Sure, there are examples of the team getting the better of these types of signal-callers, i.e. dominating <span>Johnny Manziel</span>, but this just doesn’t seem to be a forte for Lewis and his defense. Watson didn’t light the world on fire, but a 39-yard touchdown run is inexcusable, as is allowing him to get his first career win in as many starts, while on your home turf. </p>
<p id="PyaWag"><em><strong>Primetime: </strong></em>Some are on the fence about if the primetime stigma with the Bengals as a telling point of Lewis’ struggles, or if it is just a matter of coincidence, but the Bengals are absolutely abysmal on the big stage, for whatever reason one chooses to believe. It’s honestly getting to the point where seeing a primetime game on the team’s schedule is more eye-roll-inducing than it is exciting.</p>
<p id="6Q7h00"><em><strong>The aftermath: </strong></em>Whether it was cornerback <span>Dre Kirkpatrick</span> saying, “We suck,” <span>A.J. Green</span> airing out <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/15/16311496/a-j-green-frustrated-bengals-lack-progress">his postgame frustration</a> along <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/15/16314662/carlos-dunlap-hints-frustration-bengals-start">with veteran defensive end</a> <span>Carlos Dunlap</span>, or <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/15/16317810/marvin-lewis-near-mutiny-bengals-loss-texans">Lewis apparently facing a “near mutiny,”</a> it’s getting ugly in Cincinnati. If Lazor and Dalton don’t turn things around soon, this could start bordering on a dumpster fire. </p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/analysis/2017/9/19/16322990/bengals-vs-texans-good-bad-ugly-nfl-week-2Anthony Cosenza2017-09-19T10:00:01-04:002017-09-19T10:00:01-04:00Bengals’ goat of the week vs Texans
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<img alt="Houston Texans v Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5EkhtU5oMH3_78H5bx1zVNoiKWM=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56745035/847147596.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There were a number of those associated with the Bengals who let the team down in their disappointing 13-9 loss. Cast your vote and sound off on your goat of the week!</p> <p id="bF5tCq">Things just aren’t going the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>’ way right now. The supposedly-revamped offense can’t get into the end zone over eight quarters, the team has lost two straight at home and there is a sense of dissension in the locker room. </p>
<p id="us5XTy">Thursday’s loss was the crux of much ire from the players, where subtle finger-pointing has ensued, as has the firing of the team’s offensive coordinator. Usually in the “goat of the week” series, we only point out players as nominees for voting. </p>
<p id="3ucWkV">But, given the previous comments from our readers wanting to also place blame on coaches and just in how Thursday night played out, we decided to add them this time around. </p>
<p id="JrzO9b">Cast your vote and sound off on your Bengals Week 2 “goat of the week”!</p>
<p id="wBdzX7"><span><em><strong>Marvin Lewis</strong></em></span><em><strong>: </strong></em>The Bengals rarely play well on primetime, much less win in the venue and it seems to be, in part, due to a lack of preparedness. The team and its best players seem to play tight in the biggest moments and that ultimately points to the head coach. </p>
<p id="Z9yFEw"><em><strong>Ken Zampese: </strong></em>If the head coach didn’t receive your scorn this week, the offensive coordinator likely did. Zampese lost his job after this debacle, where almost no one on offense had a standout night and the team failed to get into the end zone, at home, for the second straight week. </p>
<aside id="Bi14jO"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Bengals fire Ken Zampese, promote Bill Lazor to offensive coordinator","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/18/16329912/bengals-fire-ken-zampese-bill-lazor-offensive-coordinator"},{"title":"Tyler Eifert dealing with 2 injuries heading into Week 3","url":"http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/18/16328198/bengals-injury-news-tyler-eifert-2-injuries-week-3-packers"}]}'></div></aside><p id="am44nL"><em><strong>The offensive line: </strong></em>It isn’t getting better for the beleaguered group up front, as they let up another three sacks on Thursday night. They aren’t seeming to be on the same page and varied looks still seem to confuse them. <span>Joe Mixon</span>, <span>Giovani Bernard</span> and <span>Jeremy Hill</span> combined for just 63 yards on 20 carries. Yikes. </p>
<p id="nRFUyN"><span><em><strong>Andy Dalton</strong></em></span><em><strong>: </strong></em>We’ve seen No. 14 have rough stretches of games, but this might be up there with the worst. For the second straight week, Dalton didn’t throw a touchdown and was missing some wide-open throws. He didn’t turn the ball over after doing so five times against the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a>, but he’s clearly rattled behind a shaky line. </p>
<p id="skPncg"><span><em><strong>John Ross</strong></em></span><em><strong>: </strong></em>The team’s rookie receiver made his debut on Thursday and it didn’t go well. He showed his electricity, by scampering for 12 yards on a run, but fumbled on his very first pro touch. He was unfairly benched afterward, but the team’s lone turnover loomed large, as it led to a field goal in a four-point game. </p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/19/16323524/nfl-week-2-bengals-goat-of-week-texansAnthony Cosenza2017-09-18T14:30:48-04:002017-09-18T14:30:48-04:00NFL Week 2: Bengals’ snap count distribution vs Texans favors veterans over youth
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<img alt="Houston Texans v Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jICqVau5jwPEJdmZO5VKgVm7duc=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56736561/847170840.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Bengals’ offense is still trying to figure out what configuration works best, but the defense is starting to take shape. Meanwhile, the veterans continue to play far more than the youngsters who’ve earned more playing time. </p> <p id="FlktME">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> dropped to 0-2 on the season after a rough 13-9 loss to the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a>. </p>
<p id="9e5CJq">The Bengals’ offense looked absolutely lost throughout most of the game. The offensive line continued to support an ineffective running game, while quarterback <span>Andy Dalton</span> continued to be plagued by constant pressure. </p>
<p id="Gwep8g">Although they did not turn the ball over as much as Week 1, they once again failed to put together any semblance of an effective offense, failing to find the end zone for the second week in a row. The defense looked solid enough, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the futility of the offense.</p>
<p id="G6Uj5L">The Bengals’ 2017 season is not off to a good start. But, there have still been some interesting developments as it relates to players receiving snaps.</p>
<p id="dxForR"><strong>Snap count takeaways:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="LMQVGY">
<span>Joe Mixon</span> received few snaps on Thursday (16) compared to <span>Giovani Bernard</span> (33). It was only one more snap than <span>Jeremy Hill</span> received (15), but he still shined through as the Bengals’ best running back on the day (nine carries for 36 yards).</li>
<li id="mUEMxA">
<span>Alex Erickson</span> is starting to receive a fair amount of playing time outside of special teams. However, he only received two targets in the passing game, despite being on the field for over half of the offensive snaps.</li>
<li id="hz8fVz">
<span>T.J. Johnson</span> is continuing to see a lot of playing time in the absence of starting right guard Trey Hopkins. With <span>Alex Redmond</span> and <span>Andre Smith</span> continuing to not play, Johnson is receiving 100 percent of the offensive snaps. The Bengals’ two-year contract extension on the fifth-year lineman seems to be paying off.</li>
</ul>
<aside id="PuvORF"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"What we learned from the Bengals’ loss to the Texans","url":"http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/18/16320860/nfl-week-2-learned-bengals-loss-texans-2017"},{"title":"Fantasy football waiver wire: 4 adds and 3 drops for Week 3","url":"http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/18/16323750/nfl-fantasy-football-waiver-wire-adds-drops-week-3-adrian-peterson-eddie-lacy"},{"title":"Tyler Eifert dealing with 2 injuries heading into Week 3","url":"http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/18/16328198/bengals-injury-news-tyler-eifert-2-injuries-week-3-packers"}]}'></div></aside><ul>
<li id="tgMQIQ">
<span>Andrew Billings</span> appears to be the Bengals’ last choice at defensive tackle. Despite the hype surrounding a player who was once considered a potential first-round pick in 2016, he seems to be off the starting track. He lost his rookie season to a torn meniscus, but many thought he had a chance to take over Domata Peko’s vacated starting role in 2017. Instead, <span>Pat Sims</span> has been receiving the most snaps next to <span>Geno Atkins</span>, while <span>Ryan Glasgow</span> has also been receiving significantly more.</li>
<li id="xoCJdA">There seems to be no stopping the unexpected rise of defensive end Chris Smith. For the second week in a row, the player whom the Bengals paid a conditional seventh-round pick was on the field for around half of the defensive snaps. In the process, he recorded six tackles and a sack. </li>
<li id="SgQTjA">Despite seeing some time on special teams, William Jackson III did not play any snaps on defense, despite playing 44 percent last week. This is likely due to the return of <span>Adam Jones</span> and the continued solid play of Darqueze Dennard. But, the complete lack of snaps for a former first round draft pick is still notable.</li>
<li id="6E18tJ">In addition to Jackson, Hardy Nickerson Jr, <span>Jordan Evans</span>, <span>Clayton Fejedelem</span>, and <span>Cethan Carter</span> all saw playing time on special teams, despite not seeing any snaps on offense or defense.</li>
<li id="JqKTOS">
<span>John Ross</span>, the ninth-overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, played a whopping five snaps. The Bengals drafted him to help upgrade an offense that badly needed it, but they’re not giving him enough chances to do so. </li>
<li id="E3IxYd">If you haven’t noticed already, the Bengals are relying heavily on veteran players over youngsters that deserve more playing time. There’s no excuse for Jackson, Ross and <span>Cody Core</span> (7 snaps) to play that little. Mixon also needs more touches, and with the o-line being so bad, guys like Redmond and Christian Westerman deserve some snaps as well. Hopefully, we see the young guys play more against the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> in Week 3. </li>
</ul>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/18/16327800/nfl-week-2-bengals-snap-count-texans-favors-veterans-youthKyle Phelps