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49ers vs Bengals – Week 2 Preview

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  • Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) runs against San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

The Cincinnati Bengals will be playing the San Francisco 49ers in their first home game of the year this Sunday, September 15th at 1:00pm EST on FOX.

For the 49ers, the story of their Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was their defense. The 49ers D forced 4 turnovers while sacking Jameis Winston 3 times. Three of the four turnovers were interceptions thrown by Winston and 2 of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns. 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on the other hand went 18 of 27 for 166 yards passing with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.

The 49ers running game was not very strong with Raheem Mostert rushing for 40 yards on 9 attempts and Matt Breida added 37 yards on the ground on 15 attempts. The 49ers are going to have to be more efficient if they want to win Sunday.

Even though the Bengals lost their first game in Week 1 they should be very confident given how they played the Seahawks this past Sunday. The Bengals offense looked good, even great at times but just could not get that score they needed in the second half despite being in Seattle territory 3 times in the 3rd quarter. The Bengals defense looked even better only allowing 233 total yards and getting 4 sacks of Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. Andy Dalton was 35 of 51 for 418 yards and 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. The Bengals offense ranks 10th in the league after 1 week and their defense ranks 5th in the NFL heading into Week 2.

Just like the 49ers, the Bengals running game was not strong. Joe Mixon had 6 carries for only 10 yards before hurting his ankle last Sunday and Giovani Bernard had 7 carries for only 21 yards. The Bengals run game has to better and they must get their running backs more involved if they want to win on Sunday.

Bengals Lose Week 1 Nail Biter

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The Cincinnati Bengals lost to the Seattle Seahawks 21-20 Sunday afternoon in Seattle. 

The Bengals had many bright spots in this game. They showed heart and fought and if the Bengals could have scored even a field goal when they were in Seattle territory in the 2nd half, they would already have a 1 in the win column. They were deep in Seattle territory 3 times in the 3rd quarter alone and came away with no points.

The defense had several bright spots. Sam Hubbard played like a mad man finishing with 10 total tackles (6 solo) and 2 sacks. Nick Vigil and Carlos Dunlap were both active as each had 7 tackles (Dunlap also had a sack). The Bengals defense looks completely different now compared to this time last year.

Offensively quarterback Andy Dalton shined. Dalton stepped back to pass 51 times, which was a career high, and completed 35 passes (68.6% completion percentage) with 2 TDs and 0 interceptions. He did have a fluke fumble in Seattle territory as rain began to fall early in the 3rd quarter.

John Ross had a big day and was probably the biggest surprise of the game as he finished with 7 receptions, 158 yards and 2 touchdowns. He had an awful drop late in the 2nd quarter but made up for it when he caught a 55 yard touchdown on the next play with 7 seconds left in the half. He had a few drops on Sunday, but made up for them in big ways. C.J. Uzomah also had a solid game with 4 receptions for 66 yards, and Tyler Boyd also was reliable with 8 receptions going for 60 yards as well.

The running game struggled. Joe Mixon left the game early with an ankle injury and finished with just 6 carries for 10 yards and Giovani Bernard had 7 carries for only 21 yards on the ground. If the Bengals want to beat the 49ers next week, they need to improve on the ground. The Bengals could really use Cordy Glenn who they hope will be out of concussion protocol and able to play next week.

The Bengals host the 49ers next Sunday in their home opener at 1:00pm EST.




A Bengals Legend: Cedric Benson

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Cedric Benson, the number 4 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft passed away on the night of Saturday, August 17th from a motorcycle accident. He was only 36 years old. 

Benson was drafted by the Chicago Bears after an incredible senior season at Texas where he rushed for 1,834 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. But things did not start out as planned in the NFL, in his rookie year he only rushed for 272 yards in 9 games and the next two seasons less than 700 yards per season. Benson came to the Bengals in the 2008 offseason and was considered a head case and a distraction, but in Marvin Lewis fashion he took a chance on Benson and boy did it pay off.

Benson’s 2008 campaign was not very productive, only 747 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns, while the Bengals finished 4-11-1 with starting QB Carson Palmer out for the majority of the season with a right elbow injury. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick said how great of a locker room guy and teammate Benson was.

In 2009 Benson really broke out and displayed what everyone thought he would be when he was drafted. Benson put up 1,251 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns while helping the Bengals get to the playoffs and an AFC North title for the first time since 2005. In that 2009 season Benson had a huge game against his former team the Chicago Bears. He put on a show in a 45-10 Bengals blow out win where he rushed for 189 yards and a touchdown. 

 In 2010 Benson rushed for 1,111 yards and 7 touchdowns and in 2011 1,067 yards and 6 touchdowns while once again helping the Bengals get back to the playoffs with rookie QB Andy Dalton and rookie WR AJ Green. 

The Bengals cut Benson after the 2011 season after he had some fumbling issues and replaced him with Benjarvus Green-Ellis in 2012. Benson last played in the NFL in 2012 for the Green Bay Packers but suffered a Lisfranc injury in his foot and ended up retiring. Rest in peace 32.



August Preview: The 2019 Cincinnati Bengals

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It is that time of year Bengals fans.

We are in August, the team has already started training camp and things are starting to roll as the first preseason game approaches on August 10th. There is a different vibe or feel in the air. With Marvin Lewis gone after 17 seasons, first year head coach Zac Taylor brings an unfamiliar feeling of hope and confidence.

For example, Taylor adding play clocks at practice is something that can help the Bengals with their past struggles related to time management. “Last year the level of accountability wasn’t there. This year it is,” says Jessie Bates, second year strong safety, to Jeremy Rauch of FOX 19.

But this year, this year just feels different. Sure, the Bengals lost first round pick Jonah Williams to a torn labrum and A.J. Green suffered an ankle injury from landing awkwardly on Dre Kirkpatrick at Welcome Stadium in Dayton last weekend. Bengals wide receivers, Damion Willis, Josh Malone, Auden Tate and Stanley Morgan seem to be stepping up at training camp. There has been a lot of buzz around UDFA receiver Damion Willis at camp so far. Morgan, an un-drafted free agent from Nebraska, has made several impressive catches. Auden Tate, who shined during the preseason last year, never really got many opportunities during the regular season in 2018. Hopefully this season he will get the chance he deserves.

The Bengals brought back star tight end Tyler Eifert on a one year deal after he suffered a nasty ankle injury against Atlanta last season. Keeping Eifert healthy will be a big factor as to how this season will go. With the offensive line being a weak point, Andy Dalton is gonna have to get the ball out quickly. Eifert is like a safety blanket for Dalton who he can always count on being open in between the hashes to get a nice chunk of yards.

Also, who can forget about Joe Mixon, who despite missing 2 games to a knee injury last injury, lead the AFC in rushing with 1,168 yards and 8 touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry with one of the worst offensive lines in the league. That is very impressive. You can expect Mixon to be even better this season in Zac Taylor’s new scheme. With Green being out for some time to begin the season, Mixon should be counted on to carry the load, even Giovani Bernard may have a bigger role under Taylor’s new offense.