#8 Scoring Defense

[walzav29]

If you look at the Bengals schedule. The fact that they are #8 is pretty remarkable.

[Tasher]

If you look at the Bengals schedule. The fact that they are #8 is pretty remarkable.

Especially with all the injuries on the defensive side of the ball!

Some depth!

[Stripes]

It looks pretty, but being bottom five in yardage kind of kills the buzz.

[derekshank]

It looks pretty, but being bottom five in yardage kind of kills the buzz.

We're actually up to 26th. Considering that a few weeks ago we were dead last by a considerable margin... and last week we were 31st, you can't help but be impressed.

26th is clearly nothing to brag about... and I'll bet we'll be back down in the bottom 5 after Peyton Manning gouges us for 400 yards... but we've played a very solid 3 games in a row, and with the exception of the Chargers and Patriots games, we've kept scoring to a minimum the entire season.

I'm starting to believe in this group, but I still need to see them do it against a good offense... namely, the Colts on Monday night.

P.S. Last year our run defense was a huge liability. This year, we've only had 1 bad game against NE. Take away that game... we're allowing only 98 yards/game. Now... if we can only find a way to get out of dead last in passing defense.

[Stripes]

I agree, the defense has played well. Like yourself though, I need to see a solid game against a team with an offense worthy of note before I am a believer. In any event, it has continued to improve as it has since Marvin joined the crew. Considering all the injuries they've had, I'm not overly dissatisfied.

[derekshank]

Considering all the injuries they've had, I'm not overly dissatisfied.

No freaking doubt.

[HoosierCat]

The differential is striking. In fact, at this point it's almost record-setting. See: http://www.profootball-reference.com/teams/cinindex.htm

There's a 17-point difference between yards and scoring. The only time we've had an equally big chasm was 1987, when the team also had a crappy O and went 4-11 under Wyche.

[Kazkal]

It looks pretty, but being bottom five in yardage kind of kills the buzz.

Why does that kill the buzz? i'll give up 1,000 yards a game if were still top 8 in scoring.

26th is clearly nothing to brag about... and I'll bet we'll be back down in the bottom 5 after Peyton Manning gouges us for 400 yards... but we've played a very solid 3 games in a row, and with the exception of the Chargers and Patriots games, we've kept scoring to a minimum the entire season.

Derek why so emo about colts have faith we did hold the Browns,ravens and raiders all under 10

[derekshank]

26th is clearly nothing to brag about... and I'll bet we'll be back down in the bottom 5 after Peyton Manning gouges us for 400 yards... but we've played a very solid 3 games in a row, and with the exception of the Chargers and Patriots games, we've kept scoring to a minimum the entire season.

Derek why so emo about colts have faith we did hold the Browns,ravens and raiders all under 10

Holding the Saints to 16 is impressive. But the only other team we've played in the top 10 in scoring is the Chargers (and we know how that turned out).

We played well enough against one top 5 team, and played really weak against another. I think this Monday nighter will be the single most telling game our defense has played this year. If we can play them strong it will be the confidence boost that we need to prove we can slow down a good offense and make a playoff run. If they take advantage of us... it will just be further proof that we can't go to the Super Bowl with this defense (because you will inevitably run into a good offense in the playoffs).

[Jonboat]

It looks pretty, but being bottom five in yardage kind of kills the buzz.

Why does that kill the buzz? i'll give up 1,000 yards a game if were still top 8 in scoring.

26th is clearly nothing to brag about... and I'll bet we'll be back down in the bottom 5 after Peyton Manning gouges us for 400 yards... but we've played a very solid 3 games in a row, and with the exception of the Chargers and Patriots games, we've kept scoring to a minimum the entire season.

Derek why so emo about colts have faith we did hold the Browns,ravens and raiders all under 10

Right on Kazkal at the end of the day all that matters is how many points you've given up & scoring more points than the bad guys

I think they've been solid this year vs. the run but have gotten torched vs the pass in a couple games which really skew the overall rankings. Given all the injuries this team has had to overcome I'm surprised they've played as well as they have they've had a chance to win every game but 1 or 2.

They're starting to get some consistency,hopefully that continues, granted maybe not vs. great offenses but you don't get to choose who you play each week & in the past they've had problems the games they're supposed to win. JUST WIN BABY!!!

[derekshank]

Derek why so emo about colts have faith we did hold the Browns,ravens and raiders all under 10

Right on Kazkal at the end of the day all that matters is how many points you've given up & scoring more points than the bad guys

I may be wrong... but I think you're missing his sarcasm. The Browns, Ravens, and Raiders are all ranked in the bottom 25 in the NFL in offense. Yes... holding each of them to 10 or less is impressive no matter where they are ranked... but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The only game I can point to as being truly impressed against a good offense was the Saints game, holding them to 16 (even though they still racked up 600 yards on us). When we face good offenses, they generally make us look like a defense that is ranked in the lower half of the league. That's why I'm putting so much stock in the Colts game. This is the first good offense we've played while on our current streak of good games on defense.

[bengalboomer7]

THis is good. Last time I checked, the best way to win was to score more points than your opponent

[Jonboat]

Derek why so emo about colts have faith we did hold the Browns,ravens and raiders all under 10

Right on Kazkal at the end of the day all that matters is how many points you've given up & scoring more points than the bad guys

I may be wrong... but I think you're missing his sarcasm. The Browns, Ravens, and Raiders are all ranked in the bottom 25 in the NFL in offense. Yes... holding each of them to 10 or less is impressive no matter where they are ranked... but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The only game I can point to as being truly impressed against a good offense was the Saints game, holding them to 16 (even though they still racked up 600 yards on us). When we face good offenses, they generally make us look like a defense that is ranked in the lower half of the league. That's why I'm putting so much stock in the Colts game. This is the first good offense we've played while on our current streak of good games on defense.

I was referring to the statement about giving up 1000 yrds.if we're still in the top 8 in scoring

To be honest the stat kind of caught me by surprise, just seems odd to be at the bottom of the league in Defense yet @ the same time be in the top in scoring Def. I'm by no means saying they've arrived, I just think they're better or should I say not as bad as where they're ranked & what some say.The Colts game is going to be interesting & great test. I just don't want them to get conservative ( ie SD 2nd half) worrying about giving up a big play. I want them to stay aggressive & knock Payton around a bit!

[BengalPimp]

Derek why so emo about colts have faith we did hold the Browns,ravens and raiders all under 10

Right on Kazkal at the end of the day all that matters is how many points you've given up & scoring more points than the bad guys

I may be wrong... but I think you're missing his sarcasm. The Browns, Ravens, and Raiders are all ranked in the bottom 25 in the NFL in offense. Yes... holding each of them to 10 or less is impressive no matter where they are ranked... but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The only game I can point to as being truly impressed against a good offense was the Saints game, holding them to 16 (even though they still racked up 600 yards on us). When we face good offenses, they generally make us look like a defense that is ranked in the lower half of the league. That's why I'm putting so much stock in the Colts game. This is the first good offense we've played while on our current streak of good games on defense.

HERE'S THE TRUTH------Yes, those offenses may not be that great, but----THE FACT IS----

THOSE TEAMS SCORING AVERAGE IS MORE THAN 8 POINTS PER GAME, WHICH IS WHAT OUR DEFENSE HAS AVERAGED THE PAST 4 GAMES.....END OF DISCUSSION

[derekshank]

HERE'S THE TRUTH------Yes, those offenses may not be that great, but----THE FACT IS----

THOSE TEAMS SCORING AVERAGE IS MORE THAN 8 POINTS PER GAME, WHICH IS WHAT OUR DEFENSE HAS AVERAGED THE PAST 4 GAMES.....END OF DISCUSSION

Forgive me for not agreeing to this post being the "end of the discussion"

Our scoring defense is right where it should be. It's not bad... but it isn't overly impressive either. We are giving up 19.2 pts/game. All our opponents combined are averaging 19.8 pts/game. We've allowed only about 8 points fewer than teams average for the whole season.

I've made no secret that I thought the last 4 games have been impressive (at least as far as scoring goes)... but we gave up 10 to the Raiders, who are averaging 12 points a game... so there is no huge triumph there. And we've had our share of games where we've given up more points than teams are averaging.

We gave up 14 to Tampa who is averaging 11.6, we gave up 49 to San Diego who is averaging 32.7, we gave up 38 to NE who is averaging 21.6. We gave up 29 to the Falcons who average 18.8.

5 of our 13 games have come against teams that are in the bottom 5 in scoring, and only 2 have come against teams in the top 5. We should be in the top 10 in scoring defense. Pardon me if a string of 4 games doesn't have me convinced that we are dominant just yet.

[BengalPimp]

HERE'S THE TRUTH------Yes, those offenses may not be that great, but----THE FACT IS----

THOSE TEAMS SCORING AVERAGE IS MORE THAN 8 POINTS PER GAME, WHICH IS WHAT OUR DEFENSE HAS AVERAGED THE PAST 4 GAMES.....END OF DISCUSSION

I've made no secret that I thought the last 4 games have been impressive (at least as far as scoring goes)... but we gave up 10 to the Raiders, who are averaging 12 points a game... so there is no huge triumph there. And we've had our share of games where we've given up more points than teams are averaging.

We gave up 14 to Tampa who is averaging 11.6, we gave up 49 to San Diego who is averaging 32.7, we gave up 38 to NE who is averaging 21.6. We gave up 29 to the Falcons who average 18.8.

5 of our 13 games have come against teams that are in the bottom 5 in scoring, and only 2 have come against teams in the top 5. We should be in the top 10 in scoring defense. Pardon me if a string of 4 games doesn't have me convinced that we are dominant just yet.

I dont recall anyone saying our D was "dominant" but they are much-improved, regardless of the opponents. You choose to only focus on what they have given up(POINTS), and you neglect what they havent given up(BIG PLAYS). Scoring aside, they are stopping opponents on 3rd and 4th downs, and not giving up the big plays. You're not convinced because you choose not to see certain things, like we shut-out the Browns, you say "so-what" but earlier this season they dropped 17 on us including a 75 yrd hook-up from Frye to Edwards. this time, nothing. We held the Ravens to 7 pts, still not impressed? a month earlier, they dropped 26 on us. You knock them because they allowed Oakland to score 10 points, their 4th Qtr TD was a garbage TD with Cincy already leading at the time 27-3.

The Fact is the D is much better, you mention games like SD,Atlanta,NE,TB but what you DONT mention, or didnt realize, is that this isnt the same Defense, we are much healthier on Defense now, Simmons missed 5 games, Jeanty missed 4 games, KK missed 2 games, DJackson missed 4 games. Jacksons ankle was still bothering him when he came back, it seems better now, and Sam Adams' knee seems to be better also.

They are finally playing together at the same time, so they are naturally getting more comfortable with each other. It wont kill you to admit it.

[derekshank]

I dont recall anyone saying our D was "dominant" but they are much-improved, regardless of the opponents. You choose to only focus on what they have given up(POINTS), and you neglect what they havent given up(BIG PLAYS). Scoring aside, they are stopping opponents on 3rd and 4th downs, and not giving up the big plays.

Pardon me? Why are we putting "scoring aside"? I thought that was the whole point of this thread. (I guess the title "#8 Scoring Defense" deceived me). Considering that scoring is the only category this defense is in the top half of the league in, you probably don't want to put it "aside."

By the way... your comment about playing well on 3rd and 4th down... well, look it up. We're in the bottom half of the league in each of those stats as well.

You're not convinced because you choose not to see certain things, like we shut-out the Browns, you say "so-what" but earlier this season they dropped 17 on us including a 75 yrd hook-up from Frye to Edwards. this time, nothing. We held the Ravens to 7 pts, still not impressed? a month earlier, they dropped 26 on us. You knock them because they allowed Oakland to score 10 points, their 4th Qtr TD was a garbage TD with Cincy already leading at the time 27-3.

You're the one being inconsistent. You want to say we aren't giving up big plays or points... and then go into a diatribe explaining away the points and big plays we've given up.

The Fact is the D is much better, you mention games like SD,Atlanta,NE,TB but what you DONT mention, or didnt realize, is that this isnt the same Defense, we are much healthier on Defense now, Simmons missed 5 games, Jeanty missed 4 games, KK missed 2 games, DJackson missed 4 games. Jacksons ankle was still bothering him when he came back, it seems better now, and Sam Adams' knee seems to be better also.

They are finally playing together at the same time, so they are naturally getting more comfortable with each other. It wont kill you to admit it.

You want to say that injuries are the only reason we sucked so bad (which I can accept to a certain extent), but won't acknowledge that the mass number of yards and points given up in back to back weeks against the Saints and Chargers featured a completely healthy D.

And for the record... I've admitted on several occasions that the last 3 games have been impressive. The only person in denial is you in an attempt to explain away the deficiencies this defense has shown on multiple occasions. I’ve been able to praise the defense for its good play, while not forgetting how poorly they’ve played previously. Forgive me if 3 games out of 16 doesn't have me believing we've arrived. I’m not the one choosing to only see one side of the argument here.

And as much as you’d like to, you can't just discount the opponents. Over the test of time our defense has shown to be decidedly average. If they continue to play well (specifically the Monday night game against the Colts), I'll be more than happy to eat my words. However, if we give up 500 yards and 40 points to Indy, I'll bet dollars to doughnuts you'll be on here explaining away all the points and big plays we gave up.

[derekshank]

394 yards, 34 points. Seems to me that these are the same exact players that we had against the Browns, Ravens, and Raiders.

Still think the opponents had nothing to do with our recent success?

[HairOnFire]

394 yards, 34 points. Seems to me that these are the same exact players that we had against the Browns, Ravens, and Raiders.

Still think the opponents had nothing to do with our recent success?

Your opponent always has something to do with your chances of success, and last time I checked Peyton Manning was pretty good and capable of scoring a point or two. That said, I think I could make a pretty convincing argument that the Bengal offense were as much to blame for the loss to the Colt's as the Bengal defense.

[Stripes]

For those looking for a positive spin on the game...

Going in, the Bengals were ranked 13th in run defense, giving 109 yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry (20th).

Those rankings shouldn't change much this week. The Colts ran for 112 yards and 3.9 a pop.

The run defense hasn't just been better, it has been good.

That said, I think I could make a pretty convincing argument that the Bengal offense were as much to blame for the loss to the Colt's as the Bengal defense.

With only 278 yards from scrimmage to go with four sacks and five fumbles, it is hard to argue.