Buffalo Bills Fan Here...

[saundena]

Bills fan here, entering into the lions den... or maybe I should say TIGERS den. While I can't say I'm a big Bengals fan, I do appreciate your blue collar background (similar to Buffalo) and I'm sure that I can relate to all the years of heartache that you've faced over the years. In these ways, I think our franchises are very similar.

I'm here for two reasons:

1. I want to learn more about the Bengals, what the Bills expect from them?

2. I'll tell you a bit about the Bills. Buffalo is on a roll. In their last 11 games, they are 7-4; obviously 3-0 this year and finished last year at 4-4 (after starting 0-8). Our head coach Chan Gailey is an offensive mastermind. He gets more from nothing than I think most coaches would. By now, I'm sure you know that Buffalo is a team of no names and late round picks- well Chan has these guys playing VERY well- especially on O. He's great at making half time adjustments and tailors our offense to our players strengths. For example, our O line doesn't have the most talent in the world, but Chan masks this by playing the spread and using a lot of three step drops.

Former Ram and Bengal Fitzbeardy seems to be thriving in Chan's system. I think the thing that I like most about him is his smarts. He runs the offense very well, and quickly forgets past mistakes.

Freddy Jackson is a beast. He's probably the most complete running back in the league- he can run, catch AND block.

Our receivers are young, but all are gamers. Scott Chandler is quickly becoming a beast of a TE. He's like 6'6" and can catch very well. 3 TD's in 3 games this year I believe.

Our defense is a bit of an enigma. We were terrible against the run last year, but did very well against power running teams in KC and OAK. I said our Defense is an enigma because I think we've had to play 3 teams that each do something VERY well. KC and OAK can run and NE can pass. Our first two games we focused on stopping the run. And we did a great job with this. Yesterday, we knew that Brady would put up points and Yards, but tried our best to stop him. Well, he threw for almost 400 yards and had four TD's but he also threw four picks, one of which was a pick-6. It will be interesting to see how our defense performs against your Offense because I feel the Bengals are more of a balanced team on offense. DT's Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus are the real deal. Shawn Merriman has played well, but buffalo hasn't asked him to blitz yet (Because we played 2 run heavy teams in weeks 1 and 2 and Tom Brady yesterday). He looked great in preseason in limited action against other teams starters

So, tell me about the Bengals! How do you think you'll do against us. Although I've been conditioned to accept let downs as a B-lo fan, I really think our team has turned the corner. Without knowing everthing there is to know about the Bengals, I feel the Bills should win this game, but I am worried about the let down. We have a lot of young players and I hope they don't get caught up in the hysteria of FINALLY beating NE, and then looking ahead to PHI next week.

Let's have a good week on this message board and an even better Sunday. Hopefully it will be an injury free game.

PS. check out twobillsdrive(dot)com. It's the best Bills message board on the net. The posters there are very knowledgeable and cool- although you might run into an idiot or two.

GO BILLS!

[BengalszoneBilly]

Welcome CTW.

[saundena]

Welcome CTW.

I like the boobies, Mr. Boobiemiester

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Congrats on your success this year. Ridiculously entertaining game against the Patsies and Mr. Bundchen.

The Bengals have a defense that's ranked very well, but hasn't faced anything yet. Your offense will tell us about our defense. Our offense doesn't have much - the OL is pretty bad, affecting the running game as well as the time that Dalton has. The general consensus on Dalton is that he looks good so far, but he's still young and needs some help. Green looks very talented at WR, and needs Dalton to grow into the job a bit to maximize his ability.

But on the plus side, we do have one excellent player you'll be seeing all game long.

Huber? He's a great punter.

[volcom69]

While i love the boobies also, they have not been good luck boobies I wonder if there is such a thing!

[saundena]

Congrats on your success this year. Ridiculously entertaining game against the Patsies and Mr. Bundchen.

The Bengals have a defense that's ranked very well, but hasn't faced anything yet. Your offense will tell us about our defense. Our offense doesn't have much - the OL is pretty bad, affecting the running game as well as the time that Dalton has. The general consensus on Dalton is that he looks good so far, but he's still young and needs some help. Green looks very talented at WR, and needs Dalton to grow into the job a bit to maximize his ability.

One thing that I worry about is if Buffalo gets off to another poor start. Can't expect comebacks EVERY week. I fear that if we go into this too confident, that our O could get off to a slow start. Hopefully we don't underestimate Dalton. From what little I've read/seen on TV, he looks very good.

What would you say is the strength of your Defense?

[derekshank]

What would you say is the strength of your Defense?

Relatively stout against the run. Pretty decent pass rush... but the secondary seems to let a receiver (often a TE) go completely uncovered a few times a game.

That said, the Bengals have played 3 bad offenses this season, and based on what I've seen, I'm not feeling terribly confident in their ability to do anything well for four straight quarters.

[cincyhokie]

Here's my take:

The Bengals aren't as bad as they seem. The Bills are not as good as they seem. I don't see the Bills having the staying power to make it to the playoffs this year. It's too bad they play in one of best divisions in football. I just can't shake the memories of the Broncos of 2009 beating the Patriots on the way to 6-0. They finished 8-8.

This Sunday. The Bills strengths seem to match up better with the Bengals strengths. I can't see the Bengals defense containing the Bills offense for 4 quarters. The only way the Bengals win is if they come out balls to the wall and play like they have nothing to lose. Change up the playcalling and involve some more of their skill players. It's going to be a relatively close game.

Bills 21

Bengals 17

[HoosierCat]

1. I want to learn more about the Bengals, what the Bills expect from them?

Note: picture changed by request.

[HairOnFire]

Let's have a good week on this message board and an even better Sunday.

Sorry CTW, but I think we're almost done here.

And by that I mean we Bengal fans are almost done here...on this message board.

[insert Bird Picture]

Please remember to turn out the lights when you're done.

[COB]

Congratulations CTW on successfully circling the wagons.

We'd like to circle the oxcarts, but we only have one and we can't get it out of the ditch to even begin circling!

As far as Sunday's game, from the Bengals look for excruciating offensive line play. From your team, look for D linemen and linebackers to enjoy various after-play celebrations.

[ct_bengal]

Kyle williams will wreak havoc. Cincy might sneak in a W who knows. Buffalos defense has given up 70 points the last two games so heres hoping we see some points.

[derekshank]

I don't see the Bills having the staying power to make it to the playoffs this year. It's too bad they play in one of best divisions in football. I just can't shake the memories of the Broncos of 2009 beating the Patriots on the way to 6-0. They finished 8-8.

Time will tell. But even if you're right, that doesn't do much for the Bengals case. Suppose Buffalo is just peaking at the wrong time in the season... Cincy is playing them right in the middle of that peak.

Frankly, I'd prefer the Bengals be playing the Steelers this week.

Buffalos defense has given up 70 points the last two games so heres hoping we see some points.

I wouldn't count on it. Buffalo's defense looked just fine against Kansas City. Oakland appears to be a pretty damn good team (they ran the ball all over the Jets), and New England has the #1 offense in the league.

Cincy's offense is closer to the Chiefs than the Pats... and while I don't expect the Bengals to get trounced like Kansas City did, I also don't think Buffalo is a fluke. They aren't 3-0 against a cupcake schedule. "You are what your record says you are."

[bwillycuse]

Is this the week the Bengals surprise us? While we are down? I mean they never win when we are confident going in.

The Bills may come in and underestimate the Bengals. Maybe take a week off?

Maybe Bernard Scott gets more carries since Benson is out? Maybe?

My guess Bills 42 Bengals 6 or Bengals 24 Bills 10. I'm inclined to go with the former. But hey, we have had a chance to win every game. Look how close we are to 3-0. 0-3 for that matter.

:frustrated:

[cincyhokie]

Here's what I like about the direction of this team. Dalton doesn't get rattled. Hell, we might get our ass kicked by Buffalo Sunday but the guy isn't going to stop playing. It's sort of like a boxing match. You take your lumps from time to time, you learn, you study, you get better. Then you start landing more punches. Things are going to get better and more consistent. It MIGHT happen this week. I think it can.

/>http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/09/26/Week3/index.html

Part of the reason is that many college teams today are playing what pro teams play -- a form of the spread offense -- and so when young players move up, it's not like moving from the wishbone to the classic pro style offense. Dalton threw more than 1,300 passes in four years at TCU, in a short- and medium-throw, quick-decision offense in which Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden found similarities to the pro game he'd be teaching Dalton.

"I don't really know what offense is anymore,'' Gruden said with a chuckle the other day. "I saw tape of Andy going 22 of 27 against Baylor, throwing the ball on time, with good balance, to receivers who never seemed to have to strain to catch the ball. How do you not like that?''

Dalton, he said, showed the poise of a veteran from early in training camp. "The good thing about him is I know he won't panic,'' Gruden said. "In our second preseason game, at the Meadowlands against the Jets, it was raining, and he throws a pass that bounced off A.J. Green and was picked off. You'd think a young guy would be affected by that, but he was calm on the sidelines. Just got ready for his next series. And he faced an all-out blitz from Rex Ryan. He saw it at the line of scrimmage, audibled to a better play, and completed the pass. On the road, against the things the Jets do. Ice water in his veins.''

Dalton is so advanced in offensive football that teaching him a new system, with some new terminology, was easy. "At the beginning of camp,'' Gruden said, "we had a team starting from ground zero, and they've really taken to it well. Right now, Andy's the least of my concerns. I can throw anything at him and he gets it. I could have him run the no-huddle with everything we use, and he'd be able to run it, no problem. That's pretty good for a rookie in his first month or so playing at this level.''

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/09/26/Week3/index.html#ixzz1ZAYyCDEl

[cincyhokie]

Defensive ranking of Buffalo's opponents in yards allowed:

#32 New England

#28 Oakland

#24 Kansas City

This week they face the Bengals who are ranked 3rd in overall defense.

FWIW: Buffalo is ranked 3rd in offense, 26th overall in defense. Cincinnati is ranked 25th overall in offense.

[COB]

Cincinnati is ranked 25th overall in offense.

How effing bad do you have to be to be ranked lower than a team that is 2 for 21 or whatever it is on third down? Paul Alexander can't be coaching like 8 different o-lines at once can he?

[derekshank]

Defensive ranking of Buffalo's opponents in yards allowed:

#32 New England

#28 Oakland

#24 Kansas City

This week they face the Bengals who are ranked 3rd in overall defense.

FWIW: Buffalo is ranked 3rd in offense, 26th overall in defense. Cincinnati is ranked 25th overall in offense.

Yeah... the Bengals may be the most stout defense they've faced... but that might not be saying much either.

The Bengals defense has faced:

#26 Cleveland

#27 Denver

#32 San Francisco

Sure... Buffalo might not actually be the 3rd best offense in the NFL, but by the same token, the Bengals probably aren't actually the 3rd best defense in the NFL either.

[cincyhokie]

Defensive ranking of Buffalo's opponents in yards allowed:

#32 New England

#28 Oakland

#24 Kansas City

This week they face the Bengals who are ranked 3rd in overall defense.

FWIW: Buffalo is ranked 3rd in offense, 26th overall in defense. Cincinnati is ranked 25th overall in offense.

Yeah... the Bengals may be the most stout defense they've faced... but that might not be saying much either.

The Bengals defense has faced:

#26 Cleveland

#27 Denver

#32 San Francisco

Sure... Buffalo might not actually be the 3rd best offense in the NFL, but by the same token, the Bengals probably aren't actually the 3rd best defense in the NFL either.

I also found that the Bills have the #2 ranked "it" factor in the NFL. The Bengals are only ranked #25 in having "it". Buuuut, the Bills are playing on the road this week can they maintain "it"?

[COB]

The Bengals defense has faced:

#26 Cleveland

#27 Denver

#32 San Francisco

While that is true, one of the reasons those teams are ranked so low in offens is that they've faced the Bengals defense. One third of that ranking is attributable to the Bengals' D. Even though I love him, I have to admit the one glaring weakness on this defense is the pass coverage of Chris Crocker.

[derekshank]

The Bengals defense has faced:

#26 Cleveland

#27 Denver

#32 San Francisco

While that is true, one of the reasons those teams are ranked so low in offens is that they've faced the Bengals defense. One third of that ranking is attributable to the Bengals' D.

True enough. But that is just as true for Buffalo's 3rd ranked offense against KC, Oak, and NE.

If the Bengals are far and away the best defense Buffalo has faced... then it's only fair to point out that Buffalo is far and away the best offense the Bengals have faced.

Just sayin'

[COB]

The Bengals defense has faced:

#26 Cleveland

#27 Denver

#32 San Francisco

While that is true, one of the reasons those teams are ranked so low in offens is that they've faced the Bengals defense. One third of that ranking is attributable to the Bengals' D.

True enough. But that is just as true for Buffalo's 3rd ranked offense against KC, Oak, and NE.

If the Bengals are far and away the best defense Buffalo has faced... then it's only fair to point out that Buffalo is far and away the best offense the Bengals have faced.

Just sayin'

Totally fair to point that out. So it will be an epic battle when the Bengals' D faces the Bills' O, and an epic fail when the Bengals' O faces the Bills' D.

I was at last year's debacle against the Bills. The second half turned me against Carson Palmer for life. He showed no leadership, was a limp-wristed little Nancy in the face of a furious comeback by the Bills, and just generally displayed none of the qualities one would want in a team leader.

Beautiful quitter.

[derekshank]

For what it's worth (and you can probably file this under the "not much" category):

Oakland played Denver in week 1 and allowed 310 total yards.

Cincinnati played Denver in week 2 and allowed 318 total yards.

Oakland played Buffalo in week 2 and allowed 481 total yards.

By the transitive property... Cincinnati is in a lot of trouble.

[HairOnFire]

I was at last year's debacle against the Bills. The second half turned me against Carson Palmer for life. He showed no leadership, was a limp-wristed little Nancy in the face of a furious comeback by the Bills, and just generally displayed none of the qualities one would want in a team leader.

Why so serious?

[ct_bengal]

its the freakin bills for crying out loud, the same team that went 4-12, they are jus catching some breaks this year. 3 games in, (only 1 convincing win, the other 2 i doubt the bills could repeat) eventually someone is not going to give a multiple possession lead back so easily.