Points Against after week 11

[HoTbOy]

The Patriots at 164 are #1 right now, but they play the Saints on MNF so that might increase, then you have the Bengals at 174 in 2nd, I would love to see the Bengals end the year #1 in points allowed...If the O can score another 3-5 points a game and if the D continues to stop people from scoring we will go DEEEEP into the playoffs...

[Kazkal]

I'd say with the Patriots playing the saints its pretty safe to exspect to be 1# after this week...Since we are already 1# when you take the avg...I love you Zimmer & to quote Prime when he talks about Cedric...Pay the man!!! Zim needs to be the highest paid defensive coordinator.

[agreen_112]

I think we're up there in total time of possession too... Anyone feel like looking that up?

[JoePong]

I think we're up there in total time of possession too... Anyone feel like looking that up?

Most likely. Now if we could just find a way to score some points, we'll be good.

Bottom line is, the passing game HAS to pick up and be more efficient. I thought a good running game was supposed to open up the passing game.

At least the offense is taking care of the ball and not turning it over (with the exception of the Oakland game). That's half the battle against teams like pittsburgh and baltimore.

[kenyon1977]

I think we're up there in total time of possession too... Anyone feel like looking that up?

New England is #1,

Steelers are 2nd,

and the Bengals are third in time of possesion.

[Ickey44]

I think we're up there in total time of possession too... Anyone feel like looking that up?

Most likely. Now if we could just find a way to score some points, we'll be good.

Bottom line is, the passing game HAS to pick up and be more efficient. I thought a good running game was supposed to open up the passing game.

At least the offense is taking care of the ball and not turning it over (with the exception of the Oakland game). That's half the battle against teams like pittsburgh and baltimore.

I was disappointed with the passing game yesterday. Too much pressure on Carson and Carson was off-target on a lot of his passes. They need to get it fixed because eventually the defense isn't going to be able to hold some team like the Vikings or Chargers to 16 points.

Also, when did the penalties creep back into their game? They need to get that cleaned up, too. You can get away with that crap against Cleveland, but not against Minny or SD. Brat better get to work.

[agreen_112]

Offense has been a strugle all year.. I think they'll get on a roll heading into the playoffs. Hopefully it'll carry over.

Thanks, Danimal.

[JoePong]

Offense has been a strugle all year.. I think they'll get on a roll heading into the playoffs. Hopefully it'll carry over.

Thanks, Danimal.

Doubt it. I've been waiting for this offense to get on a roll for 12 weeks now. I think we should face the fact it's not gonna happen.

Once again...our offense STILL hasn't scored more than 17 points in any game against an AFC opponent this season

I thought it might change against terrible teams like Oakland and Cleveland, but...come on... one TD against the browns??? Seriously?

[Ickey44]

Offense has been a strugle all year.. I think they'll get on a roll heading into the playoffs. Hopefully it'll carry over.

Thanks, Danimal.

Doubt it. I've been waiting for this offense to get on a roll for 12 weeks now. I think we should face the fact it's not gonna happen.

Once again...our offense STILL hasn't scored more than 17 points in any game against an AFC opponent this season

I thought it might change against terrible teams like Oakland and Cleveland, but...come on... one TD against the browns??? Seriously?

Well up until the Oakland game they were one of the top teams in the league as far as redzone TD's went. The last two games have really been horrible. I put that on Brat. They need to get creative in the red zone and come away with touchdowns. Field goals won't cut it against the Vikings and Chargers.

[JoePong]

They've been pretty poor in the red zone since the 1st quarter of the baltimore game.

[Ickey44]

They've been pretty poor in the red zone since the 1st quarter of the baltimore game.

Well in all honesty the Browns, Ravens, and Steelers games are hard to judge. Those teams have great defenses and they know us a lot better than the Raiders do. Either way, they need to fix it. All those plays and long drives mean nothing if you get down there and can't score touchdowns.

[HairOnFire]

I've been waiting for this offense to get on a roll for 12 weeks now. I think we should face the fact it's not gonna happen.

Define what an offense has to do before it can be said they're "on a roll".

The only reason I'm asking is due to how often during games I note how Bengals are running the ball very well, controlling the clock and the ball, all while usually up by two scores.

[volcom69]

I've been waiting for this offense to get on a roll for 12 weeks now. I think we should face the fact it's not gonna happen.

Define what an offense has to do before it can be said they're "on a roll".

The only reason I'm asking is due to how often during games I note how Bengals are running the ball very well, controlling the clock and the ball, all while usually up by two scores.

I agree controlling the clock is huge however like stated above the defense will give up more points eventully so if they do does this offense have enough to score with them. I sure think they do, but they have not proved it very often. The running game is great, but what happend to the pass offense. Palmer looked so off yesterday, and the line agaisnt the pass rush just looked awful gave Palmer no time. Penalties also have to stop!

Now this week they face detroit if they can not get there passing game going this week, or put up some big numbers then i will be worried. The Browns put up 30 points on the lions, so Palmer and co. better be able to up some kind of points.

[JoePong]

I've been waiting for this offense to get on a roll for 12 weeks now. I think we should face the fact it's not gonna happen.

Define what an offense has to do before it can be said they're "on a roll".

The only reason I'm asking is due to how often during games I note how Bengals are running the ball very well, controlling the clock and the ball, all while usually up by two scores.

Moving the ball and scoring TDs.

Your offense is not on a roll if you are continually sputtering and unable to sustain drives long enough to put the ball in the endzone and unable to score more than 17 points in a game no matter how good or how bad the opponent is.

Teams that are supposedly able to run the ball with such ease usually are able to score TDs. A lot of the time, a good running game makes it easier to throw the ball. Our passing game is pretty horrible right now, and provides no balance to the offense...something that would help the offense to be "on a roll."

The best thing about our passing game right now is that we are taking care of the ball and not turning it over. But we are going to need more production to have any success in the playoffs.

[Ickey44]

Moving the ball and scoring TDs.

Your offense is not on a roll if you are continually sputtering and unable to sustain drives long enough to put the ball in the endzone and unable to score more than 17 points in a game no matter how good or how bad the opponent is.

Teams that are supposedly able to run the ball with such ease usually are able to score TDs. A lot of the time, a good running game makes it easier to throw the ball. Our passing game is pretty horrible right now, and provides no balance to the offense...something that would help the offense to be "on a roll."

The best thing about our passing game right now is that we are taking care of the ball and not turning it over. But we are going to need more production to have any success in the playoffs.

Much as it pains me to say it, he's right. We're not going to be playing Oakland and KC in the playoffs. This offense is going to have to get a lot better fast if we're going to win a playoff game.

As an aside, Marshall Faulk said that he would wear a Bengals jersey if the Bengals win a playoff game. I really, really want this to happen to shut that a**h*** up.

[volcom69]

I've been waiting for this offense to get on a roll for 12 weeks now. I think we should face the fact it's not gonna happen.

Define what an offense has to do before it can be said they're "on a roll".

The only reason I'm asking is due to how often during games I note how Bengals are running the ball very well, controlling the clock and the ball, all while usually up by two scores.

Moving the ball and scoring TDs.

Your offense is not on a roll if you are continually sputtering and unable to sustain drives long enough to put the ball in the endzone and unable to score more than 17 points in a game no matter how good or how bad the opponent is.

Teams that are supposedly able to run the ball with such ease usually are able to score TDs. A lot of the time, a good running game makes it easier to throw the ball. Our passing game is pretty horrible right now, and provides no balance to the offense...something that would help the offense to be "on a roll."

The best thing about our passing game right now is that we are taking care of the ball and not turning it over. But we are going to need more production to have any success in the playoffs.

Agreed with this. With the talent that they have at WR you would think there would be more success. We should find out much more this weekend against detroit who is giving up huge numbers against the pass. If Palmer and co. struggle then i will really be worried.

[HairOnFire]

Much as it pains me to say it, he's right.

Of course he's right. I even implied as much in the other Pongian thread. The offense misfires far too much for anyone to be happy with. But here's the rub. He's only right to a point. Because you don't look at one units performance without considering what is occuring on the other side of the ball.

Make no mistake about it, this team isn't another version of the 2005 squad. Nobody, especially Marvin Lewis, bothers talking anymore about taking another teams breath away quickly. Rather, they talk about wearing the other guy down. Grinding them to little bits. Keeping the ball away from the other guy while keeping your own defense fresh.

And on that note, they've rushed for more than 400 yards over the last two weeks.

[HairOnFire]

Our passing game is pretty horrible right now, and provides no balance to the offense...something that would help the offense to be "on a roll."

We actually agree on this point. I just think you're taking things too far when you complain about the number of points being scored by an 8-3 team currently holding a firm grasp on 1st place.

[ArmyBengal]

This is how I see it... They seem to play up or down to their level of competition and since there will be no Oakland's, KC's, or Detroit's in the playoffs, we are Super Bowl bound !!! Seriously though, I think the offense does in fact need to get something more going with the passing game, but it's kinda hard to complain about a running game that has been able to keep drives going, keep opposing offenses off the field, and you know, win games. While it may be the boring way to do business, I'm pretty happy with the smash mouth attitude this team seems to have and figure Carson will take his shots when he can. I'd like to see it improve though...

[Ickey44]

Much as it pains me to say it, he's right.

Of course he's right. I even implied as much in the other Pongian thread. The offense misfires far too much for anyone to be happy with. But here's the rub. He's only right to a point. Because you don't look at one units performance without considering what is occuring on the other side of the ball.

Make no mistake about it, this team isn't another version of the 2005 squad. Nobody, especially Marvin Lewis, bothers talking anymore about taking another teams breath away quickly. Rather, they talk about wearing the other guy down. Grinding them to little bits. Keeping the ball away from the other guy while keeping your own defense fresh.

And on that note, they've rushed for more than 400 yards over the last two weeks.

I'm not trying to take anything away from what they've been able to do rushing the ball. But it's disheartening for them to march down the field with 10+ plays and then only be able to get a field goal out of it.

[derekshank]

Yes, they need to stop settling for FGs. We all agree on this point. There will likely come a time when the Bengals need to score 20+ points to win a game, so that's an area they need to improve.

That said, it's wrong to assume that they can't win playoff games the way they are playing right now. As it stands, it is very possible that the Ravens and/or Steelers will be coming to Cincy for a wild card game. The Bengals recently beat both of these teams with the exact same strategy as they did with the Browns and Raiders. In fact, fumbles are the only reason it wasn't the exact same outcome in that Raiders game.

If they cut down the penalties, they would have beaten both Cleveland and Oakland by multiple scores, and I would suggest could use the same boring strategy and beat any and every team in the NFL. But as long as they keep holding and having pre-snap penalties, they'll continue to settle for FGs, and a team like the Pats or Colts will make them pay for it. But for now, I'm not anywhere near panic mode. They aren't playing their best football yet... and that should scare everyone.

[HairOnFire]

Yes, they need to stop settling for FGs. We all agree on this point.

No, we don't. I like touchdowns as much as the next guy, but I have to repeat.....I'm amazed by how often I look up to see the Bengals with a two score lead. And with this teams running game and stout defense that's been more than enough most weeks.

There will likely come a time when the Bengals need to score 20+ points to win a game, so that's an area they need to improve.

But there's no magic number of points to score, is there? Haven't we watched this team score that many points and lose routinely?

If they cut down the penalties, they would have beaten both Cleveland and Oakland by multiple scores, and I would suggest could use the same boring strategy and beat any and every team in the NFL.

This.

But as long as they keep holding and having pre-snap penalties, they'll continue to settle for FGs, and a team like the Pats or Colts will make them pay for it.

Maybe. In fact, probably. But this teams defense and running game give it a punchers chance against any team, and when late game situations have dictated they go off script the passing game has managed to produce an entire series of late game winning heroics.

[derekshank]

Yes, they need to stop settling for FGs. We all agree on this point.

No, we don't. I like touchdowns as much as the next guy, but I have to repeat.....I'm amazed by how often I look up to see the Bengals with a two score lead. And with this teams running game and stout defense that's been more than enough most weeks.

I agree with you there. But I wonder if settling for FGs will be enough against upcoming games @ Minnesota and San Diego. This defense is stout, but the offenses they will be facing in those games probably won't be held to single digits. There's no way to know until we're actually watching how those games unfold. Perhaps holding onto the ball for close to 40 minutes will again result in a win with primarily FGs. But I would have a lot more confidence if they finish off those drives with an exclamation point instead of a question mark.

But as long as they keep holding and having pre-snap penalties, they'll continue to settle for FGs, and a team like the Pats or Colts will make them pay for it.

Maybe. In fact, probably. But this teams defense and running game give it a punchers chance against any team, and when late game situations have dictated they go off script the passing game has managed to produce an entire series of late game winning heroics.

You're absolutely right. This team is winning like the Ravens used to. Who needs a QB anyway? They aren't going to get blown out by anyone. But if they want the running-out-the-clock game to work for them in the playoffs, they'll likely need to quit leaving 4 points on the field multiple times a game.

[HairOnFire]

... I wonder if settling for FGs will be enough against upcoming games @ Minnesota and San Diego. This defense is stout, but the offenses they will be facing in those games probably won't be held to single digits.

No, but you know that ahead of time and can adjust your gameplan accordingly. Frankly, I fully expect the Bengals offensive AND defensive gameplans to be opened up a bit for both of those games, because both teams are as good or better than the Bengals, and they're both away games.

This team is winning like the Ravens used to. Who needs a QB anyway?

But that's just the thing. The Bengals have a QB. And he can win you games if and when the other guy forces you to play his game instead of yours. But the grinding style has served the Bengals very well so far. In fact, it can be argued only one team, Houston, has managed to put this team in a position where it actually needed to score far more points throughout the game to have a chance to win at the end.

They aren't going to get blown out by anyone.

Exactly. The clock chewing running game almost ensures the Bengals will remain in every game. But by the same token, the conservative gameplan ensures everyone, including bad teams, get to hang around for awhile...some to the end.

But if they want the running-out-the-clock game to work for them in the playoffs, they'll likely need to quit leaving 4 points on the field multiple times a game.

No argument. But there's a big difference between playing for field goals and settling for field goals due to the mistakes you make. In the case of the former, I support gameplanning built around the run, stopping the run, killing the clock, and brutal low scoring affairs. It's served this team very well, and if they want to keep gameplanning for field goals under those narrow circumstances I'm all for it. Because this team actually has a QB who can bail it out when things go wrong. But turnovers and unforced penalties are a different matter altogether and that's where I think the Pongian rant has some merit.

[derekshank]

I didn't want to quote your whole post Hair, but you've sold me. The reason being that you cited the Texans game as the only game where the Bengals were hurt by their inability to score throughout. It got me thinking... so I looked it up. And sure enough... the 2nd half of that game resembled the Oakland game far more than I remembered.

Houston is better than Oakland, so they beat the Bengals more decisively... but 2 fumbles and an interception in the 2nd half of the Texans game... which also put the Bengals in continually bad field position was the primary reason for that loss. And fumbles were the main reason for the Oakland loss.

So we're agreed. The turnovers are worrisome. But it appears that it has only really happened twice. Because against the Steelers and Ravens, they won or tied the turnover battle. Turnovers have always been the great equalizer. But if the Bengals play this kind of football now, turnovers can be devastating. So I'll amend my earlier statement:

I believe the Bengals can use this boring strategy to beat any and every team in the NFL, as long as they cut down on penalties and hold on to the damn football.