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Game 8 Recap: Cincinnati Bengals @ Jacksonville Jaguars

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AJ Green, as usual, provided the highlight of the day for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Said highlight will garner thousands of searches on YouTube. It will be talked about for days. It will definitely give his team’s playoff chances a hard pop. (OK, you get the idea – we’re trying to spin this as positively as we can, and it’s not working).

Green and Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Jalen Ramsey were ejected near the end of the second quarter after Green grabbed Ramsey in a headlock, slammed him to the turf, and started throwing punches. It was one of several things that went wrong for Cincinnati in Sunday’s 23-7 loss to the Jaguars. Cincy is now 3-5 and their offense, scoring 12.5 points per game, is harder to find than Waldo.

HOW THINGS WENT

The Jaguars were in control of this game from … ohhh, about the opening kickoff. Cincinnati ran the fewest plays in team history (37) and were outgained 407-148. Jacksonville didn’t even need super rookie RB Leonard Fournette, who was benched for breaking a team rule. They rushed for 149 yards and had all the points they needed when Marquise Lee caught a 3-yard TD pass with just under seven minutes left in the first half to take a 10-0 lead.

The Bengals were only down 13-7 when Green was ejected. But the fight cost Cincinnati arguably its best offensive player. The team was effectively toast after that. Cincinnati only gained 25 yards the rest of the way. The defense was on the field for 40:14 and was gassed beyond belief. Heck, we’re impressed they only gave up 23 points, even if they didn’t sack quarterback Blake Bortles.

CINCINNATI BENGALS PLAYER OF THE GAME

Ben-Gals cheerleader Sarah. She made the 2017 Pro Bowl. Seems like she’s long overdue for some recognition.

WHAT THIS MEANS GOING FORWARD

If Green is suspended for his WWE-audition-tape-in-pads, it could very well be the biggest punch in the gut to the Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff chances. Green’s absence in any game severely hurts the downfield passing attack, which is the team’s strength. It could mean the difference between a win and a loss. That’s extra maddening with three toss-up games next on the schedule and little margin for error in the AFC North standings.

Cincinnati Bengals Early Game-by-Game Win Loss Predictions: 2017

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The Cincinnati Bengals are primed for a big 2017 season. Between their talented starters, rookies who will be exciting to watch, and wanting to make amends for last year, there are lots of reasons for every Bengals fan to get excited. Especially us.

This week, Bengal boys Nate and Chris give you a game-by game prediction for Cincy in 2017.

 

Cincinnati Bengals Predictions Game by Game

Week 1 – vs Baltimore Ravens (September 10)
Chris: WIN – Joe Flacco only threw for 20 TDs last year, and 15 picks. Leading TE Dennis Pitta dislocated his hip last week and has since been released. Suspect passing game leads to Bengals’ win.

Nate: WIN – The Bengals should start Week 1 healthy, with several more weapons than they had in 2016 and I think they will be revved up in their first home game to open a regular season since 2009. The Bengals win this game based on health, better weapons, emotional energy and home field advantage.

 

Week 2 – vs Houston Texans (September 14)
Chris: LOSS – I’m not sure who did the schedule, but someone should make them run gassers. Two games in four days – this one against the reigning AFC South champions – means Cincinnati’s first loss of the season.

Nate: WIN – I think Houston will have one of the top defenses in the NFL this season after getting a healthy J.J. Watt back to help an already dominate D. The problem is they do not have a proven quarterback, Cincy have loaded up Dalton with more weapons and a team that want to show they are capable in the national spotlight. Since the Bengals have a new kicker in place I like Cincy by a field goal at home.

 

Week 3 – at Green Bay Packers (September 24)
Chris: LOSS – The Bengals have a week and a half to rest for this game, but it’s against Aaron Rodgers and the Pack, who were 7th in the NFL last year in passing yards and 4th in points.

Nate: LOSS – Although Aaron Rodgers is 0-2 in his career against the Bengals I think this is the year he is able to come out with a victory. I predict a close game but the Packers win a shootout in front of the home crowd at Lambeau Field.

 

Week 4 – at Cleveland Browns (October 1)
Chris: WIN – Just what we need to get back to .500. Top draft pick Myles Garrett will still be adjusting to the pro game, so he won’t quite be a difference maker … yet.

Nate: WIN – The Browns will show glimmers of hope and improve from their 1-15 record from last year but Cincy will have the firepower and experience to win this contest early in the season still.

 

Week 5 – vs Buffalo Bills (October 8)
Chris: WIN – The Bills led the NFL in rushing, but were almost dead last in passing. If the Cincinnati Bengals can contain the run, they’ll win. It’ll be close, but I say they get it done.

Nate: WIN – The Bengals lost a close one at home against the Bills last year 16-12 but it was also a game in which kicker Mike Nugent missed 2 extra points and the Bengals were not afforded the opportunity to kick a game winning field goal. I think the Bengals have improved more than the Bills in the offseason and they will not have the kicking issues to the same degree in this contest. The Bengals win by 10 at home.

 

Week 6 – BYE WEEK

 

Week 7 – at Pittsburgh Steelers (October 22)
Chris: LOSS – Grudge match, grudge match, grudge match – especially after Referee-gate last year. This will be a close contest that, unfortunately, won’t go the Bengals’ way because of Pittsburgh’s home-field advantage.

Nate: LOSS – Sparks will fly, emotions will run high, and there will be felt hatred and controversy as usual. Pittsburgh takes the first of two in their house as the Bengals usually don’t play as well coming off their bye week.

 

Week 8 – vs Indianapolis Colts (October 29)
Chris: WIN – Between Andrew Luck’s shoulder surgery at the end of 2016 and a dicey O-line, I feel comfy saying Cincinnati takes this one.

Nate: WIN – I predict a close high scoring affair but the Bengals edge the Colts by a field goal at home to get back on track.

 

Week 9 – at Jacksonville Jaguars (November 5)
Chris: WIN – The addition of LSU running back Leonard Fournette takes pressure off QB Blake Bortles, who struggled with consistency at the end of last year. But Jacksonville will still be questionable in too many other areas to mount a serious threat to Cincinnati, who will have back-to-back wins when this one is over.

Nate: LOSS – I think the Bengals will fall in an upset here, Fournette has a break out game and Bortles doesn’t make too many mistakes in this one. The Bengals let one get away that they are expected to win.

 

Week 10 – at Tennessee Titans (November 12)
Chris: LOSS – Tennessee has been steadily improving under coach Mike Mularkey, and quarterback Marcus Mariota has a top-down convertible for a ceiling. The Titans will be in the thick of their own playoff chase by this point of the season. Home team in a close one.

Nate: LOSS – The Titans have the potential to be a dangerous team in 2017 with a solid ground game already in place and the team adding more weapons in the draft this year for Mariota. This should be a fun contest but I think the Titans win a close one in Music City.

 

Week 11 – at Denver Broncos (November 19)
Chris: WIN – Cincinnati and Denver were very close statistically last year. This might as well come down to a coin flip. Hang on (flip) ………..W

Nate: LOSS – Denver’s D overwhelms Cincy’s O-line in Mile High.

 

Week 12 – vs Cleveland Browns (November 26)
Chris: WIN – Cleveland could very well be improved this late in the season. But so will Cincinnati, and they’ll make it seven in a row over their in-state rival.

Nate: WIN – If Cleveland finds some consistency at QB this season this could be a close one. I’m not putting my money on that happening just yet. Cincy gets back on track again here by a touchdown.

 

Week 13 – vs Pittsburgh Steelers (December 4)
Chris: WIN – Cincinnati gets their long-awaited revenge, and they get it in front of the home crowd. A victory will also prevent Pittsburgh from owning the tiebreaker – extra motivation if you ask us.

Nate: WIN – The Bengals are focused and realize the implications of this game. The offense brings The Jungle to life and the Bengals split the season with the Steelers.

 

Week 14 – vs Chicago Bears (December 10)
Chris: WIN – The Bears shocked everyone when they drafted QB Mitchell Trubisky with the second overall pick. We’ll see if he’s come into his own by now. Until then, we’ll go based on Chicago’s 3-13 record last year.

Nate: WIN – Trubisky struggles if he is playing at this point. The Bears struggle in 2017 regardless. I think the Bengals win in a blow out at home against the Bears.

 

Week 15 – vs Minnesota Vikings (December 17)
Chris: WIN – Running back Dalvin Cook will be roughed up this late in the season. The Vikings will be mounting a rushing attack that is similar to their last-in-the-league 75.3 yards per game from 2016.

Nate: LOSS – HC Mike Zimmer is motivated to beat his former team and brings out all the stops to expose the weakness of Cincy’s offense line with all the exotic looks in his repertoire. The Vikings snap the Bengals 3 game winning streak in a close one.

 

Week 16 – vs Detroit Lions (December 24)
Chris: LOSS – This one is similar to the matchup with Denver from the previous month. Even without Megatron, the Lions were still 11th in the league in passing yards last season. Starting LT Taylor Decker should be back from labrum surgery. This coin flip might go against the Bengals.

Nate: WIN – I think the Lions have regressed in ways this offseason but Matthew Stafford keeps them in contests in 2017 still. The Bengals are too much at home though as some of the rookies (Ross & Mixon) bring too much sizzle for the Lions to stop.

 

Week 17 – at Baltimore Ravens (December 31)
Chris: LOSS – If I’m 15-for-15, then the Cincinnati Bengals will be 10-5 and smelling the playoffs. I hate to say it, but I think that means a loss to end the regular season. They will have played 11 games since the bye week and counting on those 10 wins to get them into the playoffs. Let’s hope it does.

Nate: WIN – The Bengals clinch at least a Wild Card playoff spot with a win in this game while the Ravens are already out of the hunt. Cincy gets it done on the road.

 

Final record: Chris (10-6)   Nate (10-6)

Cincinnati Bengals vs Jacksonville Jaguars – Preseason Game 3 Recap

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It was a tale of 2 halves for the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night against Jacksonville.

The 1st teamers pretty much dominated. Andy Dalton went 6 of 10 with a touchdown pass to Giovani Bernard. Bernard and Jeremy Hill combined for 101 total yards and 2 touchdowns. The Bengals D held the Jags to a field goal after they had the ball 1st and goal inside the 5. At one point, Cincy held a 125-to-14 yard edge in total offense and a 14-0 lead on the scoreboard.

In the second half though, the Jags’ backups brought the house and came back from a 21-3 deficit, scoring 23 straight to pull out a 26-21 win. The topper came when Jacksonville LB Hayes Pullard III picked off QB Joe Licata and returned the interception 62 yards for the game-clinching TD with less than 8 minutes to go. Otherwise, the night went well.

Ummm, except for one thing.

Remember our last post about the Bengals needing to avoid injuries? Umm, yyyyeah … didn’t happen. Adam Jones pulled a calf muscle in warm-ups and didn’t play. AJ Green banged knees with a Jacksonville DB and left, though his injury wasn’t thought to be serious. Backup RB Cedric Peerman left in the 2nd quarter with a fractured forearm and could miss the season, which is a blow to the backfield depth as well as special teams.

Even with that, though, things are looking up as the final preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts looms. The offense looks sharp and the defense seems airtight. Give Pro Bowlers Green and Jones a chance to rest, and the Bengals will be ready to roll come September 11 against the Jets.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 5 Things to Watch

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Cincinnati put up a solid effort in last Thursday’s 30-14 win over Detroit. With a trip to Jacksonville to take on the 0-2 Jaguars looming, here are 5 things to watch in the third game of the Bengals’ preseason.

1. Wide receiver battle, part I. News flash: 5-time Pro Bowler A.J. Green commands the top WR position. But there are question marks for the second spot. Brandon LaFell, fresh off a stint with the Patriots, is experienced but has yet to crack the 1,000-yard mark in a season and is battling a hand injury. Rookie Tyler Boyd is versatile … and just now cutting his teeth in the pros.

2. WR battle, part II. There are several candidates trying to fill out the back end of the receiver rotation before the roster is cut to 53 men on September 3rd. Brandon Tate, Alex Erickson, James Wright, Mario Alford, and Jake Kumerow are all battling for spots. You may be wondering “Who Dey?”, but it’s more a question of “Who Make It?” and “Who Don’t?”

3. A banged-up secondary. Darqueze Dennard won’t play because of a sprained ankle, First-round pick William Jackson III has a torn pectoral muscle and will spend most of the season (if not all of it) on Injured Reserve. That’s less-than-good news when facing a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, as well as tight ends Julius Thomas (5 catches of 20+ yards last year) and Mercedes Lewis (14.1 yards per reception).

4. How long will the starters stay in? Getting reps for the No. 1 guys is crucial so they can hit the ground running (or passing) when the regular season kicks off September 11 against the Jets, who won 10 games in 2015. Andy Dalton looked smooth against Detroit, going 7 of 9 and posting a 102.8 QB rating. Does he stay in until the third quarter before coach Marvin Lewis slaps third-year man A.J. McCarron on the shoulder and says ‘Go get ’em.”? And with tight end Tyler Eifert most likely out 4-6 weeks to start the season it will be interesting to see how much playing time other key weapons like Green, Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard get.

5. Can the Bengals avoid the bug? The injury bug, that is. We already mentioned the losses of Dennard and WJIII, which can be enough to put the passing defense behind the proverbial 8-ball. A big goal for the team is to get through the game with the starting lineup intact and keep the team doctors from having a busy night.