Cincy Jungle - NFL Week 14: Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles ChargersWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2018-12-19T18:10:33-05:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/178947562018-12-19T18:10:33-05:002018-12-19T18:10:33-05:00Bengals mailbag: CEO Lewis, rebuilding vs. re-tooling and Urban legends
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<img alt="NFL: Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xj8e4WCU_8DwGAmSBZytAhhBmF0=/0x0:3086x2057/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62686462/usa_today_10498788.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We received a number of great questions from Cincy Jungle readers and Orange and Black Insider listeners this week. Of course, some revolved around the coaching future of the Bengals.</p> <p id="elq2dm">The season is coming to a close, and even though the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> are theoretically alive for the postseason, almost every set of eyes associated with the club seem to be aimed to the offseason. With each passing week, fan unrest grows, as everyone is contemplating the future of the club. </p>
<p id="dr45zC">Through a variety of different avenues, loyal Bengals fans reached out to us with some very interesting questions about the team. We answered some of them on this week’s episode of <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/14/18139296/what-would-occur-if-marvin-lewis-moved-from-bengals-coach-to-executive">The Orange and Black Insider Bengals podcast</a>, but also wanted to run some of them down on our weekly mailbag feature. </p>
<p id="koi6Dr">You can email, tweet us (<a href="https://twitter.com/BengalsOBI">@BengalsOBI</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CJAnthonyCUI">@CJAnthonyCUI</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/CincyJungle">@CincyJungle</a>), or join us live as we record the show. Our thanks to those of you who emailed us and called into the program this week!</p>
<p id="RN0Igu">*****</p>
<p id="dXIXZ4">One question we received on this week’s Orange and Black Insider episode revolved around <span>Marvin Lewis</span> moving out of the head coaching position and into a front office role. This was a popular fan opinion over the past couple of years. Essentially, the crux of the idea is in keeping a guy who has some big strengths and has the owner’s ear, while moving him out of a role that exploits his weaknesses. </p>
<p id="7W8ZuY">We won’t harp on it in an overly-lengthy fashion, as we’ve already touched on the subject a bit, but it is worth re-addressing as the major crossroads that is the 2019 offseason is a few weeks away. It’s especially noteworthy because owner Mike Brown seems adamant about keeping Lewis within the Bengals organization—even after subpar seasons on the field. </p>
<p id="CZlZ9O">There are positives with a Lewis move “upstairs.” He has seemingly used his influence to make the Bengals at least sort of resemble a modern NFL franchise. This could very well continue is Lewis holds anything close to a general manager position. </p>
<p id="l2y4pD">Topics like indoor practice facilities, more free agency aggression and nimbleness in the draft could gain more gravitas with the front office with Lewis in a position of power. If he calls the shots in hiring his replacement and said coach also preaches the same messages as Lewis, that would provide even more clout with ownership. </p>
<p id="yavjKj">Speaking of coaching, however, that’s one of the criticisms in giving Lewis management power. If he would be given say in the next hire, it would likely be someone in his inner circle who thinks and operates the way he does.</p>
<p id="qwRz15">In all likelihood that could be Hue Jackson, or someone of the same ilk. If that’s the case, it could perpetuate many of the same issues we’ve seen over the past 16 seasons with Lewis being the head man on the sidelines. </p>
<p id="rXtOiz">There’s also the idea of just totally starting fresh from the Lewis era. They simply can’t do that if he’s now given a position with arguably more power than he already has right now. </p>
<p id="yEfRyp">If the team is going to look for a new head coach, they might as well go in a completely new direction and that probably won’t happen with Lewis as an executive. </p>
<aside id="VqHK2a"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"NFL Week 15 Primer: Bengals vs. Raiders","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/12/18137295/nfl-week-15-primer-cincinnati-bengals-5-8-vs-oakland-raiders-3-10"},{"title":"Week 14 was crazy and very telling for the AFC North","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/12/18135156/this-past-nfl-weekend-was-crazy-and-very-telling-for-the-afc-north"}]}'></div></aside><p id="tb8WTX">*****</p>
<p id="eVhGLL">Speaking of Jackson and the possible vacant head coaching job in Cincinnati, his name, among others, has come up frequently should that gig become available. And, if you were to poll the Bengals’ faithful about that prospect, you’d probably get an overwhelmingly negative reaction. </p>
<p id="5GS2bm">Fair or not, most folks look at the abject failure of the Jackson regime with the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> as the barometer for a potential takeover in Cincinnati. They also point to his one season with the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> where he orchestrated a trade for <span>Carson Palmer</span>, yet the team still failed to make the playoffs. </p>
<p id="lSevlp">Still, there are a couple of positives with a Jackson hire, however small they may be. For one, he has experience with dysfunctional franchises and their owners, given his time with Cincinnati, Oakland and Cleveland. He also lassoed <span>Andy Dalton</span> into having his best season as a pro in 2015, and has extensive AFC North experience having spent time as a coach with every team in the division, save the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>. </p>
<p id="4vUXZ4">Recently-fired <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> coach, Mike McCarthy, is another interesting name to connect to the Bengals. Many believe he’ll be a frontrunner for the Browns job, but wherever he lands, he’ll bring a resume with a Lombardi Trophy on it. </p>
<p id="HBAQ52">Opinions vary on McCarthy, though. Is he an innovative guy who just needs a change of scenery, or was he merely the beneficiary of inheriting two Hall of Fame quarterbacks during his tenure in <span>Brett Favre</span> and <span>Aaron Rodgers</span>?</p>
<p id="6nadlX">Either way, there is another intriguing name from the region who might be a long-shot hire. </p>
<p id="1jWY9F">Urban Meyer holds a special place in the hearts of many Ohioans. He took over (The) Ohio State University football team after it saw some turmoil at the end of the Jim Tressel era, winning a National Championship and three Big Ten championships. </p>
<p id="qhwvw7">Recently, Meyer announced his retirement from the Buckeyes, citing health concerns. It’s a very similar situation to the one he concocted at the University of Florida, which was the job he left before landing with OSU. </p>
<p id="Y51EL1">Not coincidentally, Meyer bailed on both programs on the coattails of some controversy. In his tenure in Gainesville, over 30 arrests of his players took place, while one of his Ohio State assistant coaches was exposed for domestic abuse allegations before this season began. </p>
<p id="dQqpgf">So, is this most recent retirement from football for good, or will he return after a year away from the game? If he does want to come back, will both he and the Bengals be interested in the head coaching job?</p>
<p id="3jtp1F">If there is a fit here, I’d venture to guess it would be a succession plan from Lewis in 2020. This would give Meyer a year off to rest up, while giving Lewis one more year to try and grab glory, while also allowing he and Mike Brown to part on more amicable terms. </p>
<p id="cXrzx5">Would Meyer be a good fit in Cincinnati, though? </p>
<p id="1Iqhe9">He was born in Toledo, attended the University of Cincinnati and has 10 years of regional coaching experience in the high school and college levels. There is also a handful of players on the Bengals’ roster who played for Meyer in college (<span>Carlos Dunlap</span>, <span>Sam Hubbard</span> and <span>Billy Price</span>). He and Lewis have also done some public events together, for whatever that’s worth. </p>
<p id="99UvvJ">But, he has zero professional coaching experience, which doesn’t always point to immediate success for a lifelong college coach. And, one can’t ignore the interesting trail of legal situations that follow him from job to job. </p>
<p id="jPdBrP">All three of these men might be options the Bengals explore either this offseason or next, but they would also be better served to broaden their horizons. </p>
<aside id="SKZHhg"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Final injury report: Vontaze Burfict out, Michael Johnson questionable","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/14/18141481/bengals-vs-raiders-final-injury-report-vontaze-burfict-out-michael-johnson-questionable"},{"title":"John Ross is a touchdown machine, and that’s good for now","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/14/18139369/john-ross-is-a-touchdown-machine-and-thats-good-for-now"}]}'></div></aside><p id="Oyc9IX">****</p>
<p id="2lDQgV">As the offseason approaches, many folks are calling for an overhaul of the Bengals after what looks to be three consecutive losing seasons. Most folks around these parts remember the 1990s and want no part of that again, while an 18-26-1 from 2016-2018 screams “Lost Decade”.</p>
<p id="2REIc8">So, as the final three seemingly-meaningless games begin to pass us all by, the question of needing a total rebuild, or some simple tweaking has come to the forefront of fans’ minds. </p>
<p id="zv4Svx">It would seem that most in Who Dey Nation want to see Marvin Lewis relieved of his long-standing position as Bengals head coach. But, is that the only major figurehead that should be given his walking papers?</p>
<p id="a9TjMm">Quarterback <span>Andy Dalton</span> has seen his season cut short from injury for the second time in four years, while also entering a year in his contract that allows the team to walk away from him with minimal financial penalties. <span>Vontaze Burfict</span>, when actually on the field, has been a shell of his former <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl">Pro Bowl</a> self, while many other position groups have underachieved and/or lacked overall talent. </p>
<p id="M41i8O">Lewis has spearheaded a couple of “rebuilds” with the Bengals—2003, 2009 and 2011. All were successful to a certain degree and all included some coaching shakeups at the assistant level. </p>
<p id="RnH5tY">He also attempted to place his stamp on the 2018 season’s “re-tooling” by sweeping changes in his coaching staff. Lewis really put his reputation on the line by hiring and subsequently firing Teryl Austin, then taking over the defensive coordinator duties himself. </p>
<p id="jTZXO3">In short, the coaching overhaul didn’t have the effect he had hoped and has played a pretty big role in the team sitting at 5-8. And, with the long leash Lewis has been given over the past 16 years, many believe that this season’s collapse should be his swan song as the team’s head coach. </p>
<p id="9Wnsdt">A listener in this episode of OBI stated the desire of rebuilding the coaching staff and re-tooling the roster. While it may be a bit of a gray area of a stance, I love the statement and think that is what’s needed in 2019. </p>
<p id="HGpiu7">For some of the current successful coaches, we’ve seen examples of them taking over a talented roster, as well as others rebuilding it in their image. As we sit here today, there is talent on this Bengals roster, but a lack of proper development, critical misses in the draft and inopportune injuries have greatly hindered this team.</p>
<p id="TOfll9">And, it’s in those development issues and organizational practices where a rebuild should begin. </p>
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<p id="ENjl9t"><small><em><strong>If you’re unable to join us live for here at Cincy Jungle or YouTube every episode, all Orange and Black Insider content is available here on CJ, 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>, </strong></em></small><a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-orange-and-black-insider-bengals-podcast?refid=stpr"><small><em><strong>Stitcher</strong></em></small></a><small><em><strong>, through the </strong></em></small><a href="https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Ihc3wd4tjdvrfywjyxwhaaz4e5e"><small><em><strong>Google Play Music app</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>, </strong></em></small><a href="https://www.art19.com/admin/series/32899332-dd69-43b1-82dc-025612e3f9dd/content"><small><em><strong>ART19</strong></em></small></a><small><em><strong> as well as </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 and go subscribe to our channels!</strong></em></small></p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/15/18140246/bengals-mailbag-ceo-marvin-lewis-rebuilding-vs-re-tooling-and-urban-legendsAnthony Cosenza2018-12-14T14:01:41-05:002018-12-14T14:01:41-05:00The Armchair Quarterback: A game of inches
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<img alt="Cincinnati Bengals v Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6Qc2PXD3fqkGZzr5t_wJ3KnPjeQ=/0x0:4487x2991/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62682929/1070861064.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The team’s most recent loss exhibited familiar coaching gaffes, questionable decisions on personnel, while creating long-term questions. </p> <p id="Ul3sRE">By now, both the team and the fans have moved on from the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>’ loss to the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> and are gearing up for the Week 15 matchup against the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a>. Both Oakland and Cincinnati are in the unfortunate quagmire of jockeying for draft position, so that contest has an important, albeit different importance. </p>
<p id="SHH49S">Even though we’ve dissected the film from Week 14 against Los Angeles, there are some issues from the contest that have not only been prevalent throughout this disappointing season, but also point to a need for change on multiple fronts next year. </p>
<h3 id="jvi5yY"><strong>Questionable decisions on personnel continue to give predictable results</strong></h3>
<p id="vxhyZW">It’s hard to keep piling on <span>Marvin Lewis</span> for a number of reasons. After all, he’s generally a nice man and is the guy who also brought the Bengals out of the “Dark Ages”. </p>
<p id="b2PdxP">Yet, after the team is set for its third straight non-winning record, patience is wearing very thin. There seems to be certain players whom Lewis favors more than others and it continues to be a detriment to the team. I suppose that every coach “plays favorites” in one form or another, but certain stats and metrics just don’t lie. </p>
<p id="ehkbRl">The latest example of this came on Sunday in the form of <span>Christian Westerman</span>. He was thrown in at left guard because of both <span>Clint Boling</span>’s filling in for <span>Cordy Glenn</span> at left tackle and <span>Trey Hopkins</span>’ struggles at the spot.</p>
<p id="Pzhs7G">The result? <span>Westerman</span> was one of the highest-rated Bengals players on Sunday, per Pro Football Focus. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a>' Christian Westerman earned an 84.0 overall grade across his 42 offensive snaps on Sunday, the highest overall grade of any qualifying Bengal in Week 14.<br><br>Westerman and C Billy Price were the only two CIN OL that allowed zero pressures against LAC. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestermanHive?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestermanHive</a></p>— PFF CIN Bengals (@PFF_Bengals) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_Bengals/status/1072240984648531968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2018</a>
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<p id="G8pxjN">Look, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: PFF shouldn’t be taken as absolute football scripture. Their metrics are good barometers and often point to viable projections, but there is still room for eye tests and gut feelings in football. </p>
<p id="m9l4q5">Still, even us dopes who aren’t employed by PFF or NFL franchises can see when certain players obviously affect a game. Westerman is one of those players and aside from high PFF ratings, other tangible results can be seen. </p>
<p id="H2YKmy">Westerman has been a preseason all-star the past three summers, but that success has leaked into the regular season as well. The third-year offensive lineman started two games last season and, not coincidentally, the team went 2-0. </p>
<p id="gTdS4y">In Week 16 against the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>, <span>Giovani Bernard</span> had a 100-yard rushing day, en route to a playoff-eliminating win over <span>Matthew Stafford</span>’s crew. The duo of <span>Bernard</span> and Mixon took it to the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> on the ground in the final week of the season as well, grinding out 148 yards on 28 carries. </p>
<p id="lkoVuK">Then, this Sunday, when Westerman was finally given a substantial on-field workload (Lewis’ hand was forced because of injuries and poor play along the line), the running game came alive again. Mixon rushed for 111 yards and a score, as the beleaguered Bengals almost came out with a win. </p>
<p id="euAeJC">So, what else is it going to take for Lewis and his cronies to change their minds about Westerman?</p>
<p id="LNg75m">And, therein lies one of the few major flaws of Lewis. In his tenure here, he’s had a track record of not trusting certain players early on in their careers. <span>Evan Mathis</span>’ stint is probably the most obvious, especially with the positional parallel, but even stars like <span>Carlos Dunlap</span> and <span>Geno Atkins</span> had to bide their time as rookies before becoming perennial <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl">Pro Bowl</a> players. </p>
<p id="tNRxiN">What’s even more frustrating is how the aforementioned track record is littered with inconsistency. It would appear that the only common denominator of players in his doghouse is in things Lewis sees in practice—AKA “not practicing the right way”. We haven’t necessarily heard this about Westerman, but there have been rumors of a lack of grasping the playbook and the like. </p>
<p id="A5304i">Still, with the struggles <span>Alex Redmond</span> has shown at right guard, the mess that was the line last season and the tangible improvements seen in the limited sample sizes of Westerman’s snaps, why isn’t he getting his shot? </p>
<p id="jGiwps">While many will rightfully coin Lewis’ tenure with the Bengals one where he turned around an awful team, it can also be marked with severe orneriness that cost the team. </p>
<aside id="XFMXR3"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Weekly Lineman: Christian Ringo stars behind Geno Atkins","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/12/18136810/bengals-weekly-lineman-christian-ringo-stars-behind-geno-atkins"},{"title":"4 things we learned from the Bengals’ loss to the Chargers","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/11/18135388/4-things-we-learned-from-the-bengals-loss-to-the-chargers"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="EqOw3J"><strong>Questionable in-game decisions and poor execution</strong></h3>
<p id="kuUHDf">Another facet we can look at from last Sunday comes with some awful results in critical situations. Unfortunately, few were immune from blame, as both players and coaches should be under the spotlight. </p>
<p id="HQP5J3">In speaking of issues in the former category, we can look to two critical moments that not only led to the loss, but also present themselves as microcosms of the 2018 Bengals’ season. </p>
<p id="bZxEUF">Facing a 14-3 deficit, Cincinnati’s offense was on the move again and were poised to get into the end zone. The Bengals lined up for a risky, albeit necessary attempt on 4th-and-goal from the Chargers’ 1-yard line. But, <span>Redmond</span> jumped early to move the ball back and force Cincinnati to settle for a field goal. </p>
<p id="hwVv1Y">As a team, Cincinnati has the 11th-highest total penalties in the league (which include the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> and Chargers who have played one more game at this point), obviously pointing to both discipline issues and the injuries that have depleted the roster. <a href="http://www.nflpenalties.com/all-players.php?year=2018&view=total">Redmond is tied for the fifth-highest amount of penalties against him with eight</a>, while right tackle <span>Bobby Hart</span> is tied for the second-most in the NFL with 11. </p>
<p id="qufrOk">Yikes. </p>
<p id="cR3ghZ">Speaking of penalties, the Bengals had a doozy late in the second quarter. In what has become one of their favorite past times, Cincinnati once again allowed an opponent to score critical points right before the half.</p>
<p id="4kd7Yu">Cincinnati did finally find the end zone with just 30 seconds left in the first half, cutting the Chargers’ lead to 14-12 (more on the failed two-point conversion in a minute). With momentum seeming to be on their side, the Bengals kicked off to the Chargers and appeared to have escaped unscathed. </p>
<p id="b8w8RT">However, <span>Jordan Willis</span> jumped offsides on a play where <span>Carlos Dunlap</span> and <span>Sam Hubbard</span> sacked <span>Philip Rivers</span>. It set up what became a Chargers-record 59-yard field goal from <span>Michael Badgley</span> as time expired at the midway point. </p>
<p id="UMtw5S">Stepping on their own toes has been a Bengals forte since their inception. But, in a year with struggles, these instances become more frequent, as good teams have the knack of creating their own luck. </p>
<p id="OlqxhW">As I sat in the crowd on Sunday and witnessed this brief, but laughable sequence of events, it reminded me of instances of the 2010 team. If you remember, that squad massively underachieved at 4-12 and spurred the big rebuilding project that took place before the 2011 season. </p>
<p id="zRQPJw">There was a game in that particular season that came to mind after the <span>Willis</span> penalty. Almost eight years ago from the clash against the Chargers, Cincinnati was 2-9 and facing the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>. </p>
<p id="lCm2zj">The Bengals had a 30-27 lead towards the end of the game and <span>Pat Sims</span> jumped offsides on a 4th-and-2 to give New Orleans a first down. On the very next play, <span>Drew Brees</span> threw the game-winning touchdown. </p>
<p id="Enxq5y">Unforced errors. It’s long been a staple of the Bengals, and while the mental mistakes have definitely lessened under Lewis from that of “The Lost Decade”, they still pop up at critical times and/or in the seasons of struggles.</p>
<p id="zAu4Tn">To boot, Cincinnati decided to go for two points on two different occasions on Sunday. Neither play was drawn up well by offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, as the two failures can be questioned in terms of what was called.</p>
<p id="t0OWhp">Mixon had a 100-yard day, yet he wasn’t used on either play, while the pass to <span>Bernard</span> was predictable. As John Sheeran noted in this week’s episode of <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/14/18139296/what-would-occur-if-marvin-lewis-moved-from-bengals-coach-to-executive">The Orange and Black Insider</a> Bengals podcast, Lazor should have plays stored up for a rainy day and/or a slew of them for specific two-point plays. </p>
<p id="tM6bJs">We’re probably being a little tough on Lazor, as no team will convert every two-point try they attempt. Still, it’s just a small example of how these past two months have gone. </p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/analysis/2018/12/14/18135175/bengals-armchair-quarterback-a-game-of-inchesAnthony Cosenza2018-12-12T20:00:07-05:002018-12-12T20:00:07-05:00The Orange and Black Insider Bengals podcast: 12/12 livestream
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<img alt="Cincinnati Bengals v Green Bay Packers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/X_PrkhUO35B_gxuAPwJzFIm9SbM=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62672491/853245840.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s going to be a listener question-driven show this week, as the Bengals dropped another heartbreaker against the Chargers. Join us and submit your questions!</p> <p id="xPjpgl">It was a beautiful Sunday in Southern California last weekend, but the sun once again decided to evade the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>. It was their best effort in weeks, but <span>Marvin Lewis</span>’ squad fell to 5-8 on the year. </p>
<p id="sMT42z">With his 16-year regime seeming to close, many have been asking what’s next for the club. Aside from wondering who may be the head coach, trying to gauge how far away this team is at the moment is of paramount importance.</p>
<p id="pRJtmE">Is the 2019 offseason needing to have the focus of re-tooling, or rebuilding? If it’s the latter, what does the future hold for some long-tenured veterans who have been productive for this team?</p>
<p id="48s6O9">We talk about this and take your questions on this listener-driven episode of the program. So, tweet your questions to us (@BengalsOBI), leave them in the comments below and/or join us in the live YouTube chat in the above-embedded video. We’ll also have our call/text line open at (949) 542-6241. </p>
<p id="m4oRCP">Let’s talk some Bengals!</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/12/18138494/the-orange-and-black-insider-bengals-podcast-12-12-livestreamAnthony Cosenza2018-12-12T10:30:09-05:002018-12-12T10:30:09-05:00Weekly Lineman: Christian Ringo stars behind Geno Atkins
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<img alt="NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zrOcbVZMb_SitchLxsK3l4VsQmU=/0x0:3333x2222/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62667352/usa_today_11818826.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The Cincinnati Enquirer-USA TODA</figcaption>
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<p>The Bengals seemed to have found a diamond in the rough amidst their mountain of injuries.</p> <p id="8JwOSs">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> 2018 tour hasn’t gone exactly as planned, but I’m sure The Beatles had a few wacky tours of their own.</p>
<p id="Ppk8eU">At the beginning of the season, Cincinnati’s defensive line was touted as the strength of the entire team, and they hadn’t had a trio of pass rushers as good as <span>Geno Atkins</span>, <span>Carlos Dunlap</span> and <span>Carl Lawson</span> in, well, maybe ever? </p>
<p id="X8D48U">The Beatles had their lead three in George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon and Ringo Starr to round things out. The Bengals didn’t quite have a Ringo to put it all together in the pass rush, but through turmoil and injury, they might’ve found him.</p>
<p id="VGMLyx"><span>Christian Ringo</span> is only on the Bengals’ roster because they’ve had four defensive tackles go on some sort of injured reserve since Week 3 of this season. <span>Ringo</span> was claimed by the Bengals at the beginning of last season when the team had a roster spot open up because their third-string quarterback, <span>Jeff Driskel</span>, was placed on injured reserve with an injured hand. <span>Ringo</span> didn’t play a down for the Bengals last year, and ended up on the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a> later on. </p>
<p id="EgXWqL">This year, he was available once again at the right time, and the team had no choice but to play him a week after they claimed him for the second time in just over a year. </p>
<p id="7uUhWn">After flashing in his season debut last week against the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a>, Ringo turned it up a level this past Sunday against the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> and put together a quality showing in just 18 snaps. Let’s overview some of his best reps and one where he could do better.</p>
<div id="VCTRpI"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AKS0FERmB74?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="7fkQaP">Being 6’1”, Ringo has that natural leverage coming off the line that <span>Atkins</span> has, but knowing where to strike with that leverage is just as critical. Here, Ringo displaces the right guard’s high outside hand and works himself an outside lane. His bend on the rush is good, but not good enough as he can’t quite finish to quarterback <span>Philip Rivers</span>, but the process is admirable and against a lesser quarterback, this may’ve lead to a win for the defense.</p>
<div id="giANio"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w-dKL-_VX3w?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="WrtoJw">I can’t whistle but if I could, I would after watching this.</p>
<p id="maUpnU">Upon further research, I’ve discovered the center <span>Mike Pouncey</span> hasn’t been as good as he started in his first season in Los Angeles, but most folks will tell you he’s better than his brother that plays in Pittsburgh. Nevertheless, <span>Pouncey</span>’s a good blocker, and Ringo made him look like a rag doll on this play.</p>
<div id="uXIWzg"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dn0wG0fSgGU?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="81VKxA">For the Bengals, this isn’t normal to see for a defensive tackle who isn’t <span>Atkins</span>. </p>
<p id="kH08DZ">I will always hammer home the undeniable fact that play recognition is a vital trait for interior defenders because it can put you in position to make plays that others cannot. Ringo reads the movement of the Chargers’ offensive line and doesn’t hesitate to put his process to work. He swipes away the guard’s drag hand and leaves the backside tackle in the dust on his way to blowing up the entire wide zone run by himself.</p>
<div id="3SLOim"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bHDARqVvxQ8?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="STSDNX">Eventually, the Chargers realized that Ringo came to play and started accounting for his presence. He didn’t let it phase him.</p>
<p id="u4Ev05">Ringo’s first snap following that tackle for loss was met with a double team that effectively took him out the play. Later on, he faced some combo blocks in the run game and showed an impressive combination of anchoring and aggressiveness. The Bengals are high on <span>Ryan Glasgow</span> because he is extremely gap-disciplined, but <span>Glasgow</span> lacks the downhill explosion that is needed to make these stops behind and sometimes at the line of scrimmage when shedding blocks at the point of attack. Ringo has shown in just two games now that he has that ability, even if it only comes in spades.</p>
<aside id="zvYuWu"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Bengals snap count takeaways: Offensive line sees a fresh face","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/10/18134377/bengals-snap-count-takeaways-offensive-line-sees-a-fresh-face"},{"title":"Bengals WR A.J. Green undergoing surgery for injured toe","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/11/18136589/bengals-wr-a-j-green-undergoing-surgery-for-injured-toe"}]}'></div></aside><p id="NFc2ZC">Admittedly, I’m forcing this Beatles pun for the sake of a prime opportunity, but the Bengals’ pass rush needs players to step up outside of their top three, who aren’t all healthy I should mention. Finding a fourth that brings an explosive presence, especially from the inside when Atkins is taking a break, is imperative. I thought that would be this year’s fifth-round pick <span>Andrew Brown</span>, but injuries have derailed his arrival to the role. </p>
<p id="5umUlV">For now, we have Ringo, and he’s been anything but the forgotten member of this defense.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/12/18136810/bengals-weekly-lineman-christian-ringo-stars-behind-geno-atkinsJohn Sheeran2018-12-12T07:00:06-05:002018-12-12T07:00:06-05:00Weekly Bengals awards in Cincinnati’s 26-21 loss to Chargers
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<img alt="Cincinnati Bengals v Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Emj2DXrw_AQb2CiNYo_h359Hzi0=/0x0:2853x1902/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62666762/1070856880.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Bengals had a chance to win against Los Angeles, but came up short. There were a number of notable performances though, so cast your vote and sound off on the winners for each award!</p> <p id="M75FLm">It was a valiant effort by the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> against the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> on Sunday, but they came up short once again. It was really an example of how the season has gone, but many performances were noticeable for various reasons. </p>
<p id="AGe8Iq">Cast your vote and sound off on your nominees for each one of those aforementioned performances!</p>
<h3 id="EahsK0"><strong>Most Valuable Player</strong></h3>
<p id="7L2Ob4"><span><em><strong>Joe Mixon</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> With <span>A.J. Green</span> and <span>Tyler Eifert</span> out of the lineup, the Bengals have needed strong outputs from <span>Mixon</span>. And, despite defenses keying on him, he has supplied big plays for Cincinnati. </p>
<p id="aj4NV9">Mixon rushed 26 times for 111 yards and a touchdown. He also caught five passes 27 yards, accounting for 46% of the team’s total yardage. </p>
<p id="SW4r6U"><span><em><strong>Jeff Driskel</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> When you’re forced to start your backup quarterback, much less on the road against a playoff team, it’s an uphill battle. It wasn’t the prettiest of days by <span>Driskel</span>, as he ran into sacks a couple of times, but he got them in position to potentially tie the game towards the end. </p>
<p id="IECKiG"><span>Driskel</span> finished with 170 passing yards, a touchdown and zero interceptions, along with 12 rushing yards. He had what seemed like an additional rushing touchdown, but it was called back on the enforcement of a very questionable rule. </p>
<p id="SdeoPW"><span><em><strong>Randy Bullock</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> Though he didn’t have any extra point tries, <span>Bullock</span> was perfect on field goal tries on Sunday afternoon. He was 3-for-3, including a 47-yard boot and kept the Bengals in the game until the end. </p>
<p id="YBjxZa"><span><em><strong>Carlos Dunlap</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> The big defensive end had a nice day after being pretty silent in recent weeks. He had a quarterback sack, four tackles and two passes defended. </p>
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<h3 id="dcLPBq"><strong>Unsung Hero of the Week</strong></h3>
<p id="QXqJGW"><span><em><strong>Christian Ringo</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> Injuries have hit the Bengals’ interior defensive line with frequency this year, causing the team to rely on <span>Ringo</span> late in the season. He stepped up in a big way on Sunday, grabbing a half sack and another tackle-for-loss. </p>
<p id="o3aTQb"><span><em><strong>John Ross</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> Well, the long bombs aren’t very frequent and <span>Ross</span> is grabbing just 1.8 catches per game, but the second-year man keeps getting in the end zone. He nabbed his sixth touchdown of the season against the Chargers, with two total catches for 11 yards. </p>
<p id="FGQnpe"><span><em><strong>William Jackson</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> It was a solid day from the team’s No. 1 corner, as he shut down players he was covering frequently. He had three tackles, but also two passes defended to contain the explosive Chargers offense. </p>
<p id="ahv7w4"><span><em><strong>Tyler Boyd</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> It wasn’t a gigantic day from <span>Boyd</span>, but he had three catches for 53 yards. He continues to step up as the team’s primary receiver with <span>Green</span> on Injured Reserve and is just 10 yards away from his first 1,000-yard season.</p>
<p id="KMyMZt"><span><em><strong>Kevin Huber</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> The veteran punter hasn’t had a banner year, but he was a major factor in keeping the game so close on Sunday. All three of <span>Huber</span>’s punts were in Los Angeles’ 20-yard line, as he held a 44-yard average. </p>
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<h3 id="8mPMAH"><strong>Goat of the Week</strong></h3>
<p id="JWOi3i"><span><em><strong>Alex Redmond</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> Yes, <span>Redmond</span> was part of a crew who paved the way for a 100-yard rusher, but his penalty bug-a-boo struck again. He was flagged for a critical false start on an early 4th-and-goal to make the Bengals settle for a field goal. </p>
<p id="Ovu8zn"><span><em><strong>Hardy Nickerson</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> As has been the case with a number of positions, the Bengals have been forced to start a former undrafted player at a critical spot. He only had two tackles and was noticeably steps behind on some plays. </p>
<p id="F7aIPL"><span><em><strong>Darqueze Dennard</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> The former first round pick was filling in on the outside for <span>Dre Kirkpatrick</span> and it didn’t go so well. He had a defended pass, but he was also victimized on the first drive, as <span>Keenan Allen</span> beat him for a score. </p>
<p id="Y1W3mi"><span><em><strong>Bobby Hart</strong></em></span><em><strong>:</strong></em> The team’s right tackle had his share of struggles once again, and like <span>Redmond</span>, one of them was in the form of a penalty. He too had a false start, but fortunately, the Bengals bailed themselves out of a third-and-long situation. </p>
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<h3 id="HTCs3r"><strong>Play of the Week</strong></h3>
<p id="HjKRrw"><span><em><strong>John Ross</strong></em></span><em><strong>’ 6-yard touchdown catch: </strong></em>Buddy Ryan famously uttered a statement about Cris Carter’s value and the “stigma” of being able to “only catch touchdowns” is starting to apply to Ross. The second-year receiver grabbed his sixth touchdown in 10 games this year. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">All John Ross does is catch touchdowns <a href="https://t.co/WVUg8A139a">pic.twitter.com/WVUg8A139a</a></p>— Dadio Makdook (@dadiodefacto) <a href="https://twitter.com/dadiodefacto/status/1071896103308554240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2018</a>
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<p id="1CKF3h"><span><em><strong>Tyler Boyd</strong></em></span><em><strong>’s 20-yard touchdown reception: </strong></em>Boyd didn’t get into the end zone on Sunday, but he did have a huge play late in the contest. He hauled in a 20-yard pass, which was the biggest completion of the day by Driskel and the Bengals. It set up a critical touchdown with under two minutes to play. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Driskel to Boyd for a big gain <a href="https://t.co/CfWzlFTxWc">pic.twitter.com/CfWzlFTxWc</a></p>— Dadio Makdook (@dadiodefacto) <a href="https://twitter.com/dadiodefacto/status/1071912556560736257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2018</a>
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<p id="PWNYnN"><span><em><strong>Joe Mixon</strong></em></span><em><strong>’s 1-yard touchdown run: </strong></em>It’s not common that a short touchdown makes this list, but the importance of Mixon’s run can’t be understated in this specific contest. Mixon ran well all day and this important run was a microcosm of his afternoon. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a> RB Joe Mixon punches in the 1 yard TD vs the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chargers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chargers</a> <a href="https://t.co/oVwXGrwzNI">pic.twitter.com/oVwXGrwzNI</a></p>— Roto Street Journal (@RotoStJournal) <a href="https://twitter.com/RotoStJournal/status/1071915738510827520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2018</a>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/awards/2018/12/12/18135615/weekly-bengals-awards-in-cincinnatis-26-21-loss-to-chargersAnthony Cosenza2018-12-11T13:30:00-05:002018-12-11T13:30:00-05:00NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Bengals hit new lows
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<img alt="NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9dhQ_Gwhbf7P6LGLR8qaaHIXEbc=/0x0:5064x3376/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62663823/usa_today_11819171.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It seems to have become a game of “how low can you go?” for the Bengals in the power rankings.</p> <p id="Qg6Rm7">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> played one of their closest games in quite a while when they went into Los Angeles and gave the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> a serious scare. Cincinnati never had a lead, but they were on the cusp of taking it on several occasions, especially late in the game. </p>
<p id="dJjm0F">It still marked the Bengals’ fifth-straight loss and seventh loss out of the last eight games. They are now far more likely to end up with a top 10 pick than a playoff spot, which you would’ve had a hard time picturing when this team was 4-1. </p>
<p id="Wa2zkL">They also now sit below the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> as the last team in the AFC North as Cleveland. As a result, the Bengals’ place in the power rankings are predictably low, but a few rankings actually decided to raise their position.</p>
<p id="p9nIob">The Bengals had one of their best games, and it seems like it will only be a matter of time before their season has been mathematically ended. Hopefully, we see more efforts like they had against Los Angeles, though.</p>
<p id="4HC34z"><a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25500790/week-15-2018-nfl-power-rankings-wish-lists-all-32-teams"><strong>ESPN: 27 (Last week 25)</strong></a></p>
<blockquote><p id="lgf4ke">Top wish list item: A new coaching staff. Improved performance against the Chargers aside, it’s clear things have grown stale in Cincinnati -- from empty seats all around the stadium to a season that has rapidly deteriorated before the Bengals’ eyes. They could ask for a magic wand to fix all of their injuries this season, but considering the playoffs are out of reach, that won’t solve the bigger problem ahead. Cincinnati needs new life injected into the franchise, and a new coaching staff could do the trick. -- Katherine Terrell</p></blockquote>
<p id="OqI4Z1"><a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-happened-pittsburgh-steelers-050649121.html"><strong>Yahoo Sports: 28 (Last week 28)</strong></a></p>
<blockquote><p id="y0a66w">It will be lost in the shuffle because the Chargers won and nobody was focused on that game, but the Bengals taking the Chargers to the brink on the road was an impressive effort for a team that has nothing to play for. The Bengals were playing one of the NFL’s best teams, on the road, without <span>A.J. Green</span> and with <span>Jeff Driskel</span> at quarterback. Nobody expected them to be trying a two-point conversion for the tie at the end.</p></blockquote>
<p id="MbSI0W"><a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2809984-nfl-power-rankings-brs-expert-consensus-rank-for-every-team-entering-week-15#slide2"><strong>Bleacher Report: 31 (Last week 28)</strong></a></p>
<blockquote><p id="yTMG0F">Cincy’s slide continued Sunday in Los Angeles when the Bengals allowed 165 yards in the first quarter. In fairness, they have been blasted on both sides of the ball by injuries. The team’s quarterback, best receiver and best linebacker all sat out. <span>Andy Dalton</span> and <span>A.J. Green</span> are on injured reserve. And the Bengals did show some fight against one of the AFC’s better teams. But this was Cincy’s fifth straight loss and seventh in eight games. The defense is so bad that it would have to improve to be terrible. And it’s hard to imagine things changing much so long as <span>Marvin Lewis</span> remains the head coach.</p></blockquote>
<p id="tNHoZt"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2018/12/11/nfl-power-rankings-week-chiefs-saints-are-after-wild-weekend-upsets/?utm_term=.d21b04d099f9"><strong>Washington Post: 31 (Last week 28)</strong></a></p>
<blockquote><p id="pzZOj2">When does the Bengals’ spirited effort to save Coach Marvin Lewis’s job begin?</p></blockquote>
<p id="aL6OPV"><a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/powerrankings/"><strong>CBS Sports: 22 (Last week 23)</strong></a></p>
<blockquote><p id="rS4D2d">They did some good things in the loss to the Chargers. But their season turned ugly at the halfway point -- and they never recovered. </p></blockquote>
<p id="y0CE7s"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/12/11/18135837/nfl-power-rankings-week-15-chiefs-rams-patriots-saints"><strong>SB Nation: 25 (Last week 27)</strong></a></p>
<p id="WcBLRI"><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/12/11/nfl-power-rankings-2018"><strong>Sports Illustrated: T-27 (Last week 30)</strong></a></p>
<p id="u1qE8r"><strong>Average Ranking: </strong>27.28</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/11/18136182/nfl-power-rankings-week-15-bengals-hit-new-lowsPatrickJudis2018-12-11T11:28:06-05:002018-12-11T11:28:06-05:00Week 14 rookie report: Phillips responsible for opening score vs. Chargers
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<img alt="Cincinnati Bengals v Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/272QU5DM0RZTnEGFyD4aA26-2eI=/0x172:1837x1397/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62662800/1070857362.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Every one of the Bengals’ draft picks from this year that made the final roster played in this game. Let’s examine how each one of them played.</p> <p id="wcUwbt">After getting torched by <span>Baker Mayfield</span>, <span>Nick Chubb</span> and <span>Phillip Lindsay</span> amongst other first-year players of late, the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>’ defense got a break from facing standout rookies this week. </p>
<p id="9a1Hlj">Unfortunately, their offense had to face the likely Defensive Rookie of the Year winner, who was an important factor in the Bengals latest defeat on Sunday. Here’s how the Bengals’ rookies performed:</p>
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<h3 id="5QMpbK"><span>Billy Price</span></h3>
<p id="0OCVPy">The good news for <span>Price</span> he didn’t have any major blunders in pass protection this week to <a href="https://twitter.com/Kat_Terrell/status/1070423164272943104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1070423164272943104&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbengalswire.usatoday.com%2F2018%2F12%2F07%2Fbilly-price-catching-heat-bengals-fans-grocery-store%2F">warrant any hate the next time he goes into Kroger</a> for some groceries. The bad news is, his false start penalty on fourth-and-seven in the third quarter is just more ammunition for his critics (<s>seriously how do you false start as the center)</s>.</p>
<p id="xQH6Ez"><span>Price</span>’s blunder there was bad, but this was a semi-decent performance all things considered. The Bengals offense ran directly behind Price for 17 of their 29 rushing attempts and were successful on 53% of those attempts. </p>
<aside id="vSaEiU"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Updated NFL Draft order has Bengals just outside top 10","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/10/18134925/2019-nfl-draft-order-bengals-outside-top-10-49ers-jets-falcons-raiders"},{"title":"Bengals snap count takeaways: Offensive line sees a fresh face","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/10/18134377/bengals-snap-count-takeaways-offensive-line-sees-a-fresh-face"}]}'></div></aside><p id="s7wX17">Also, don’t heckle players in public. Just don’t.</p>
<h3 id="fYvRIb"><span>Jessie Bates</span></h3>
<p id="DOOB2l">To the surprise of no one, <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> rookie safety <span>Derwin James</span> had another good game on Sunday, but <span>Bates</span> was decent in his own right. His most impressive feat was making this stop on a first-and-16:</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr">wheeeeeeeeeeeeee <a href="https://t.co/k1Qj5xT3JA">pic.twitter.com/k1Qj5xT3JA</a></p>— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) <a href="https://twitter.com/John__Sheeran/status/1072339926405038080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a>
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<p id="K0lqE6">The Chargers’ offense had just three scoring drives where they traveled further than 27 yards, and quarterback Philip Rivers predictably attacked the Bengals’ defense in the short and intermediate areas, leaving Bates with little opportunity to make an impact. Things shouldn’t change too much in this regard when Bates and the Bengals take on the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> offense orchestrated by quarterback <span>Derek Carr</span> and his <a href="https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/stats/passing#average-intended-yards">league-worst 6.6 average intended air yards</a>. </p>
<h3 id="RuQGbl"><span>Sam Hubbard</span></h3>
<p id="5dmv60">For the first time since Week 11, <span>Hubbard</span> came in at fullback for a couple plays on the goal-line, including <span>Joe Mixon</span>’s one-yard touchdown.</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/ApeMo5XZB7">pic.twitter.com/ApeMo5XZB7</a></p>— not kevin durant (@nevkinturand) <a href="https://twitter.com/nevkinturand/status/1072343947111002117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a>
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<p id="Soo5jn">On defense, <span>Hubbard</span> split reps with <span>Jordan Willis</span> in the rotation behind <span>Carlos Dunlap</span> and <span>Michael Johnson</span> and did next to nothing with his snaps. <span>Willis</span>, on the other hand, was credited with a couple stops in run defense, but neither made an impact in the pass rush. Hubbard at least seems to enjoy ramming into people at the goal-line, it’s just been a while since the offense was anywhere near there.</p>
<h3 id="APjSqC"><span>Malik Jefferson</span></h3>
<p id="xGbFyP"><span>Jefferson</span>... played snaps on defense???</p>
<p id="tls9wK">Yes. Two whole snaps.</p>
<p id="T4JWD0">In the middle of the third quarter, <span>Jefferson</span> was called onto the field when <span>Marvin Lewis</span> deployed a 3-3-5 personnel grouping to defend a third-and-six. Due to Hubbard losing contain of Rivers in the pocket, the Chargers converted with a gain of seven thanks to a Rivers’ throw on the run.</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/kMyIyA8I7g">pic.twitter.com/kMyIyA8I7g</a></p>— not kevin durant (@nevkinturand) <a href="https://twitter.com/nevkinturand/status/1072347759771049984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a>
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<p id="ltS3Li">Two snaps is a start. Let’s work towards three next week and keep building from there, okay?</p>
<h3 id="VayVfg"><span>Mark Walton</span></h3>
<p id="rSNue4">17 was the number of special teams snaps this week for <span>Walton</span>. With <span>Mixon</span> so much more involved in the offense this week, there was no chance <span>Walton</span> was getting onto the field outside of kickoff and punts. Walton was injured during his time on special teams, on the same play that a new face made his first impression on special teams...</p>
<h3 id="6ZHJkp"><span>Davontae Harris</span></h3>
<p id="Do7apt">With <span>A.J. Green</span> officially on injured reserve, <span>Harris</span> was promoted to the active roster before the three-week designation period following his eight-week injured reserve timeframe expired. <span>Harris</span> dressed and played two snaps on special teams, which was enough for him to actually make an impact.</p>
<p id="4Ev4Oo">That kickoff return the Chargers had right before the half that helped them eventually get into field goal range? Harris was the one who finished the play:</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/5HDQ9l8MwS">pic.twitter.com/5HDQ9l8MwS</a></p>— not kevin durant (@nevkinturand) <a href="https://twitter.com/nevkinturand/status/1072350852042682368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="ka37sB"><span>Darius Phillips</span></h3>
<p id="mmUy38">This was the first game that both Harris and <span>Phillips</span> were active, but as the one who has already gotten some experience earlier this year, <span>Phillips</span> was obviously the one entrusted with defensive snaps in place for the injured <span>Dre Kirkpatrick</span> at cornerback. <span>KeiVarae Russell</span> also played a healthy amount of snaps when the Bengals were in their nickel defense, and essentially was a part of the two-man platoon with Phillips.</p>
<p id="UabPD4">Unfortunately for Phillips, he was charged for his second touchdown allowed in two consecutive weeks after he got caught cheating out of his zone on the boundary.</p>
<p id="yoRb2I"> </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/R1c3PPi0pZ">pic.twitter.com/R1c3PPi0pZ</a></p>— not kevin durant (@nevkinturand) <a href="https://twitter.com/nevkinturand/status/1072353009131274245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a>
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<p id="RZfhf5">The Chargers would come back with another touchdown on their next drive, but the defense settled down after that and kept the offense in the game. It’s possible that <span>Russell</span> ended up coming in the game as discipline for Phillips’ error here, but he’s shown to be better in the slot anyways.</p>
<h3 id="jd2nf4"><span>Auden Tate</span></h3>
<p id="BL9BcD">If you didn’t notice <span>Tate</span> coming into the game, no one blames you. He played one down as a run blocker. Surprisingly, <span>Cody Core</span> has strung together two decent weeks (for his standards) in a row while <span>Tate</span> has been warming the bench, but that’s an exception to the known reality with him. Tate still deserves more chances.</p>
<h3 id="jvYRsu">
<span>Niles Scott</span> and <span>Jordan Franks</span>
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<p id="lJP9Oq"><span>Scott</span> played a season-high 11 snaps this game and once again recorded a stop in the run game in his limited exposure. This time, it was truly the work of <span>Geno Atkins</span> that allowed it to happen.</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/XI9JvYb1kR">pic.twitter.com/XI9JvYb1kR</a></p>— not kevin durant (@nevkinturand) <a href="https://twitter.com/nevkinturand/status/1072355040864677888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a>
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<p id="20w82Q">As for <span>Franks</span>, five snaps on offense and 17 on special teams isn’t much to expand upon. </p>
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<p id="XR5UsG">When the Bengals take on the Raiders, who are fresh off a win against the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>, there will be a couple of rookie vs. rookie matchups to watch. Hubbard will have opportunities to face off against left tackle <span>Kolton Miller</span>, who was the team’s first-round pick. Price may be faced with the task of handling both defensive tackles <span>Maurice Hurst</span> and <span>P.J. Hall</span> depending on if <span>Hurst</span> (ankle) actually plays this week. Both former Buckeyes will be busy regardless.</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/11/18135072/bengals-week-14-rookie-report-darius-phillips-dre-kirkpatrick-outJohn Sheeran2018-12-11T09:00:02-05:002018-12-11T09:00:02-05:004 things we learned from the Bengals’ loss to the Chargers
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<img alt="Cincinnati Bengals v Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FhdsnN-kvH76neH6Z9E4RjoTWd0=/0x0:6576x4384/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62660671/1070860816.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Bengals looked better than they have in weeks, but it wasn’t enough to seal the deal against the Chargers.</p> <p id="o6z5A4">For once, the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> were able to outgain their opposition on offense with 295 yards compared to the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> 288. They were unable, however, to outscore the Chargers, which the most important stat there is.</p>
<p id="9uhdug">Even though the Bengals did better on offense and defense than they had in weeks, there were a few key moments that just slipped away. The failed fourth down conversion towards the end and the two failed two-point conversion attempts scratch the surface of what the Bengals need to change. From their play calling to their player evaluation, the coaching staff should shoulder most of the blame for the loss.</p>
<p id="13nw4e">If the Bengals somehow work out all the kinks, they are capable of being that team we saw in the first half of the season. Even without the some of the most impactful players on offense, <span>Tyler Boyd</span> and <span>Joe Mixon</span> can pick up the slack on offense. Jessie Bates and <span>Carlos Dunlap</span> are able to keep the defense honest if they play to the abilities they possess. But the few week links keep breaking the chain, which is why the Bengals could possibly lose out.</p>
<p id="rMk4XW">With the team playing better but not well enough, what did we learn from Sunday? </p>
<h3 id="j9p3MH">The Bengals keep feeding the <span>Mixon</span> machine</h3>
<p id="WmQGlF"><span>Joe Mixon</span> had rushed the ball less than 15 times in six of the seven previous games, and the Bengals lost each of those six games. Even though Mixon carried the ball for a career-high 26 times, this Sunday’s game in Los Angeles was the first time the Bengals have ever lost when Mixon recorded 20-plus carries.</p>
<aside id="42p3p8"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Bengals’ headset issues persist against the Chargers","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/10/18133579/bengals-headset-issues-persist-against-the-chargers"},{"title":"Updated NFL Draft order has Bengals just outside top 10","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/10/18134925/2019-nfl-draft-order-bengals-outside-top-10-49ers-jets-falcons-raiders"}]}'></div></aside><p id="vUnJNC">The Bengals’ rushing game has been suffering supremely over the last few weeks, which oddly coincided with the Bengals’ losing streak. But with <span>A.J. Green</span>, <span>Andy Dalton</span>, and <span>Tyler Eifert</span> all on injured reserve, the Bengals didn’t have anywhere else to turn. So they let Mixon touch the ball an astounding 31 times in their 62 offensive snaps. His season-high tying 138 yards accounted for 47 percent of the team’s offense.</p>
<p id="SSB2O7">This really helped <span>Jeff Driskel</span> in his second career start. If the Bengals are going to win any games, which at this point seems very unlikely, they’re going to need more of this. <span>Driskel</span> is going to need some help behind the injured offensive line and with the battered receiver corps. Mixon is going to be key to the offense going forward.</p>
<h3 id="l7xCIY">
<span>Westerman</span> needs more playing time</h3>
<p id="TLg1bG">It took injuries and a poor performance from a backup to get <span>Christian Westerman</span> some playing time, but when he got in the game, he showed up.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a>' Christian Westerman earned an 84.0 overall grade across his 42 offensive snaps on Sunday, the highest overall grade of any qualifying Bengal in Week 14.<br><br>Westerman and C Billy Price were the only two CIN OL that allowed zero pressures against LAC. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestermanHive?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestermanHive</a></p>— PFF CIN Bengals (@PFF_Bengals) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_Bengals/status/1072240984648531968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Christian Westerman hasn't given up a single pressure in 70 pass blocking reps this season (PFF).</p>— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeGoodberry/status/1072231397727838208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2018</a>
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<p id="EjtPFf">It’s one thing to say that <span>Westerman</span> isn’t a starter, but it’s another thing to say that he can’t play despite the dumpster fire that is going on on the offensive line. <span>Bobby Hart</span> and <span>Alex Redmond</span> have been awful, and <span>Billy Price</span> is still struggling with the NFL’s learning curve. For the Bengals to have left Westerman on the bench all season is inexcusable.</p>
<p id="53vdR2">It’s really disturbing that Westerman is getting left out of the game when the Bengals have been throwing <span>Hardy Nickerson</span> out there all season, even though he has been nothing short of a liability.</p>
<p id="Nu2nF5">Knowing the Bengals, Westerman will head right back to the bench after his impressive performance. But the Bengals would find a way to get him into the lineup if the coaching staff had any wits about them.</p>
<h3 id="708XSG">Fourth downs and two-point conversions continue to haunt the Bengals</h3>
<p id="xw068o">We now know why the Bengals don’t ever go for it on fourth down: They’re terrible at it.</p>
<p id="SOqSgE">That’s not an excuse. That’s actually an indictment on the coaching staff for preparing so poorly for that situation.</p>
<p id="y0cYJP">Of course, it doesn’t help that false start penalties often take the Bengals from fourth-and-short to fourth-and-medium almost every time they try to go for it. That’s also a big problem.</p>
<p id="wUcrRy">But the fact that the Bengals laid a goose egg on their two-point conversion attempts and fourth down attempts. That means that the Bengals failed to advance the ball five yards on three attempts.</p>
<p id="N5uvsG">The Bengals have been going for two and going for it on fourth down, which is good. But then when they finally do go for it, they seem woefully underprepared, which is bad. The coaching staff really needs to get there game plan set so that they actually come up with something on fourth down other than a predictable screen to <span>Giovani Bernard</span>. </p>
<h3 id="3HgqVy">When the defense is good when the playmakers make plays</h3>
<p id="8Km7u2">The saying goes, “Great players make great plays,” and the Bengals proved it. When players like <span>William Jackson</span> and <span>Carlos Dunlap</span> stepped up, the Chargers found it tough to score points. <span>Jackson</span> returned to his 2017 form, keeping receivers on his side of the field in check.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a>' William Jackson III earned a season-high 86.5 overall grade against LAC on Sunday, as he allowed 2 receptions for 9 yards from 5 targets on the day. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KingWJIII?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KingWJIII</a> </p>— PFF CIN Bengals (@PFF_Bengals) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_Bengals/status/1072242208231829504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2018</a>
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<p id="k2BDI9"><span>Dunlap</span> had four combined tackles, two passes batted down, and a sack. He was key in putting pressure on <span>Philip Rivers</span>.</p>
<p id="OFkjvp">Not only did some of the stars step up, but they had help from an unlikely source. <span>Christian Ringo</span> recorded his first career sack two weeks after being signed off of the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> practice squad. </p>
<p id="8yIfc4">If the Bengals can get all their parts together, the defense might be able to avoid ending the season as the worst defense of all time.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/12/11/18135388/4-things-we-learned-from-the-bengals-loss-to-the-chargersNick Manchester