Anyone got that "feeling" for Sunday?

[HoosierCat]

[insert Bird Picture]

[volcom69]

How about run the ball and keep the ball away from the bills...

That should almost always be the plan. I'm not sure how successful it will be this week though. As bad as the Bills pass defense seems, the appear to be relatively stout against the run.

McFadden rushed for 150 yards against Denver and 170 against the Jets... but managed only 72 yards on 20 rushes against Buffalo. Oakland had a big lead for the majority of the game, but couldn't establish a consistent running game.

Meanwhile... Jason Campbell, who is averaging only 190 yards/game, managed 323 yards against Buffalo's pass defense. That is the weakness of their team. If the Bengals are going to win, Dalton will need to play more like he did against Denver, as opposed to how he looked against the 49ers.

The mind set week in and week out of this team is to be a physical team that runs the ball. It can be done, i think the NFL has gone to much into a passing league, and the bengals need to be different. Build this team to pound the ball, and throw when they need to. Run the ball 40 times, and stick with it, and use all 3 RBs to keep them fresh. I dont know whats so hard about this, the o-line which is not that much different from 09, which was physical and ran the ball like crazy so why not now. Gruden says thats what he wanted right, thats the game he wanted to play be physical and run the ball, so freakin do, and stop throwing it over 30 times a game!

I'm putting this post in the "man, this dude is so right" file. All these teams becoming passing juggernauts will be vulnerable to something different. They'll all build defenses like the Colts defense: made to play with a lead handed to them by their video game offense. Thus they will be heavy on pass rushing defensive ends and d-backs, but not made to stop the run because they are used to facing teams playing from behind and thus throwing the ball.

Bring on a team that can deliver a power running game and can play stout defense, and I believe you've got a recipe for success. I wonder who will replace Marvin and deliver that team to us?

[insert Bird Picture]

Exactly why cant Marvin understand that when his team runs the ball, and sticks with the run they almost always win. Look at the browns game they ran the ball some 30 times (i think), and even Boomer and Tom Jackson said, this is how the bengals win run the ball and play good defense. I dont understand if the coaches are blind, or do not pay attention to small details! All i know is im so sick of watching this team try to be something they are not. Last week they were winning for over half the game, so again i ask why the hell did Benson only run the ball 17 times??? Even if they were not gaining huge yards, they still would have taken time off the clock, and who knows maybe Benson could have wore out the defense! Sometimes i really just hate this team, i understand they know more about football then i do, but i sometimes wonder if this is true.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Personally I don't think the Bengals offensive line can open the holes to sustain a successful running attack. Not without the threat of a valid passing game.

[HoosierCat]

Personally I don't think the Bengals offensive line can open the holes to sustain a successful running attack. Not without the threat of a valid passing game.

Exactly. The days when you could win consistently by running from the first snap are gone. It's a passing league. Ideally, you build a lead with the pass early, then let the run and a strong defense eat up the clock. This is the modern Steelers formula, which has worked pretty well, despite my initial skepticism.

[derekshank]

Per the Bills beat-writer at NFP Friday Forecast

Don’t be surprised if: The Bills contain Bengals back Cedric Benson and force rookie QB Andy Dalton to try to win the game. Buffalo contained Oakland star Darren McFadden pretty well (3.6 yards a carry in Week Two). Dalton will have to play big to give the Bengals a shot.

Yep. That's almost exactly what I said, and... good or bad (probably bad), the gameplan I expect to see from Cincy on Sunday.

[Sea Ray]

The Bengals had a fair amount of success vs Denver going with a hurry up. I'd like to see more of that with Dalton. That'd be much easier to run in a home game. Did they do any of that vs SF?

[COB]

Personally I don't think the Bengals offensive line can open the holes to sustain a successful running attack. Not without the threat of a valid passing game.

Exactly. The days when you could win consistently by running from the first snap are gone. It's a passing league. Ideally, you build a lead with the pass early, then let the run and a strong defense eat up the clock. This is the modern Steelers formula, which has worked pretty well, despite my initial skepticism.

I disagree with you guys on this. The whole set up the run with the pass or set up the pass with the run debate is lost on me. I see teams just starting to chase the latest fad when what works time and again in the AFC North is bone crunching running game complemented by a sufficient passing game.

It works in the playoffs too, both Pittburgh and the Ravens have won the North with it and gone on to win the SB. We don't play in the AFC South, weather gets crappy up here and the basketball on turf thing isn't going to work in Nov. and Dec.

Don't change what you do, do what you do better.

[jjakq27]

If I wasn't so demoralized I'd talk myself into it. Does anyone have that Bengal will win no doubt feeling? If so, make your case.

I have this feeling that Sunday's game might be a make-or-break the season game. If they win, they will be 2-2 and will have defeated a 3-0 team that has captured a lot of attention. The Jags are beatable but the game is there, and without Manning they have a good chance in week 6 against Indy. If they lose it will be a 3rd consecutive loss and there is the possibility of a long string of losses from that point on.

I feel like the buzz is completely gone from the beginning of the season. They won the first week and made a good comeback on the road but last week's home loss seems to have sucked the excitement out of it here in town. I hope Marvin and the rest realize how critical this game is. Any hope of regaining the local fans for the rest of the season and into next year might just hinge on this game. 20 to 30K at a home game might be pushing it if things don't improve.

[derekshank]

Don't change what you do, do what you do better.

I agree. We see some of the most successful teams in the NFL (Saints, Packers, Patriots) get away from running the ball. They are essentially playing spread offenses with the QB being the central focus of the entire offense. Most teams are trying to copy them, and defenses are now being built to defend that type of offense.

Now... Look at Oakland. They are a physical team that runs the ball, and most defenses really struggle with them, despite their mediocre QB.

The primary difference between Oakland and Cincinnati? The Bengals don't appear to have embraced the tough/physical mentality. They don't look like they did in '09, when they lined up... the defense knew what was coming... and the Bengals did it anyway... and did it successfully.

Instead, we are seeing an O-Line that seems a lot less nasty, and when they only get 2 yards on 1st down, that gameplan is abandoned in favor of one that asks Dalton to be Aaron Rodgers.

[volcom69]

Thats what the bengals need to do, who cares if the other team knows they are going to run, pound the ball all game long. It can be done, if the bengals would finally figure out thats what works best for the team. I truly believe teams can and will win like that, and i wish the bengals would have just continued to run the ball like Gruden said they would, and i think they would have a differnt outcome from the games.

[ArmyBengal]

Hey everyone, i'm ArmyBengal. Nice to meet you.

I've been HORRIBLY busy with work, school and the kids, but am finding time to go to the game this Sunday. I'd like to say it's because i'm dedicated to the cause, but the truth is, I don't mind going to a game I think they will lose when the tickets are free.

Personally, i'm still firmly in the camp that is enjoying NOT seeing Chad and Palmer on the field. I do enjoy, even though they struggle at times, watching Dalton and Green out there. I think losing Shipley hurt this offense more than most will admit or realize as well. Anyway, i'm hoping for a win, but will be happy being down at the stadium and having some fun.

Hope things are well for everyone. Talk to you later.

[TJJackson]

Welcome to the forums, ArmyBengal

I think you'll like it here.

Just make sure you never develop a catchphrase that includes an f-bomb - no one likes that, no sir.

[Spor_tees]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QK-XUsKb00&feature=player_embedded#!

[BengalPimp]

Hey everyone, i'm ArmyBengal. Nice to meet you.

I've been HORRIBLY busy with work, school and the kids, but am finding time to go to the game this Sunday. I'd like to say it's because i'm dedicated to the cause, but the truth is, I don't mind going to a game I think they will lose when the tickets are free.

Personally, i'm still firmly in the camp that is enjoying NOT seeing Chad and Palmer on the field. I do enjoy, even though they struggle at times, watching Dalton and Green out there. I think losing Shipley hurt this offense more than most will admit or realize as well. Anyway, i'm hoping for a win, but will be happy being down at the stadium and having some fun.

Hope things are well for everyone. Talk to you later.

Welcome back buddy........Don't worry, I have dropped the occasional "F**K YOU ___" in your absence, along with the following "F**K YOU ___ Trademarked By ArmyBengal all rights reserved"

[Scottishbengal]

There were always going to be growing pains with such a raft of new personnel.

It's not impossible we could be 3-0 now, and how would that make us feel going into the Bills game?

I think the inconsistency that goes with development will be there again this week - this time though the D will play solid and the O will show up and the ST's do what they gotta do.

Bengals 28-24 Bills !!

[bwillycuse]

There were always going to be growing pains with such a raft of new personnel.

It's not impossible we could be 3-0 now, and how would that make us feel going into the Bills game?

I think the inconsistency that goes with development will be there again this week - this time though the D will play solid and the O will show up and the ST's do what they gotta do.

Bengals 28-24 Bills !!

Hmm - Im starting to get the feeling this game is going to be a grind. Ill change my mind a few times today about that, but right now Ill take the under and say 17-13.

I don't know who is going to win.

[cincy9275]

i agree running the ball is the key to us winning. not on running but sticking to the run. i would rather get 4 yards on 1st and 2nd down, for a 3rd and 6. than be in a 3rd and 8-10 because we threw the ball some much on first down. that killed us last week, gruden even acknowledge it in his press conference. gruden also needs to get scott and leonard more involved in the game. what's up with gresham is he not getting open or are the coaches not using him?

i would like to see us play a ball control offense this week. a lot of runs and a ton of screens. keep fitz and company on the sideline, then once we wear them down and they crowd the box. then go over the top for a big play or score.

marvin and crew seem to be fascinated with the passing game. the fact is we are a better team when we stick to the run. the stats speak for themselves. especially with this teams youth, like you guys said. stick to what you do best and improve on it. the big plays will come. the old saying is you have to crawl before you can walk. that the case with this team right now. it seems since dalton is so far along gruden and marvin tried to do to much with him last week. put too much on his shoulders when it not necessary to do. way to many players on offense that can help this team make plays. no reason for andy to try to carry this team this soon.

last week was a big step back. that to me was the fault mainly on the coaching. not the players just hitting a wall. there is a lot of room for improvement across the board.

gruden do what you claimed you would do when you took the job. stick to what your team is best at. dalton is not brady back off some.

zimmer it ok's to play the cover 2 some times. trust your d line will wreak some havoc with out all out blitzing. they are very capable. i love the aggressiveness but have to know when to back off. i think it would also help clements and hall a bunch. hanging them our to dry on man coverage all the time is really the worse problem on defense. their ok but not capable of doing it all the time.

marvin you can't save time outs. you start the game and let andy throw the ball all around. then when you have almost 2 mins to work with before halftime. you don't call a time out and show your offense you don't trust them to try to score. way to build confidence in your young team. wtf are you doing? yea the player need to do their part also. like not tackle each other, pass block, no pre snap penalties, no holding, no drops.

[cincyhokie]

The Bengals can run the ball on the Bills. In fact they HAVE to if they are to win this game. If they get into a shooting match, there's no way they'll keep up with the Bills.

All in all, I don't believe this game is as out of reach as others might think. Look at some of the games in the recent past where the Bengals were severe underdogs and suprised:

At GB in 2009. Won.

Pittsburgh 2009, home and away. Won both as underdogs.

Baltimore 2009, home and away. Won both as underdogs.

San Diego 2010. Won.

Cleveland 2011. Won.

Teams suprise all the time. Especially in the early part of the season.

[cincyhokie]

The Bengals can run the ball on the Bills. In fact they HAVE to if they are to win this game. If they get into a shooting match, there's no way they'll keep up with the Bills.

All in all, I don't believe this game is as out of reach as others might think. Look at some of the games in the recent past where the Bengals were severe underdogs and suprised:

At GB in 2009. Won.

Pittsburgh 2009, home and away. Won both as underdogs.

Baltimore 2009, home and away. Won both as underdogs.

San Diego 2010. Won.

Cleveland 2011. Won.

Teams suprise all the time. Especially in the early part of the season.

Yep. Too early to crown champions yet.

[BengalszoneBilly]

I have to admit I called a big "L" for the Bengals in this game, and thankfully I was wrong.

[jjakq27]

This game was a season saver. There's a huge difference between of 2-2 and 1-3 with a three game losing streak. I'm hoping this brings back some of the fans to the Indy game. The fourth quarter was incredible.

Good second half, good comeback for the young guys to build on.

[BengalszoneBilly]

This game was a season saver. There's a huge difference between of 2-2 and 1-3 with a three game losing streak. I'm hoping this brings back some of the fans to the Indy game. The fourth quarter was incredible.

Good second half, good comeback for the young guys to build on.

You really gotta give the cred here to the defense. Zimmers boys really opened up the opportunity for the offense to get the shot at the game. I hope to see more of that this season.

[Scottishbengal]

You also gotta give some credit to Gruden. Would've been easy to pull Dalton for a couple of series and there were plenty of calls from 'Zoners to get Dalton off and Gradowski on. Gruden showed faith/confidence in his man, adjusted the play calling (run run run) and hey presto ..... we have a happy jungle!