Bengals @ Bills pregame chatter

[Stripes]

The Bills will be starting a living legend at QB on Sunday. When spoken aloud, his name reverberates through the ages with a thunderous roar and the Earth itself shudders with anxiety.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9784909/buffalo-bills-start-thad-lewis-qb-vs-cincinnati-bengals

[HoosierCat]

Don't worry, the Bengals will make him look like Superman, or at least Brian Hoyer. The list of nobody QBs that Cincinnati has let throw all over them is longer than both my arms.

[ArmyBengal]

Thad who ?? Seriously ??

Thing is, I don't want to say much more than that because, like Hoosier mentioned, the Bengals have a way to let guys like this tear them up.

This is a game that the Bengals should win, but just like coming off the big win headed into Cleveland, you just never know.

Honestly it's a game the Bengals should put up huge numbers.

This should be the weekend where you have a nice relaxing beatdown without the stress of a close game.

I simply won't hold my breath in anticipation.

Like the Patriots game, maybe I should predict a loss ??

[volcom69]

If the let this guy throw all over them, something Brady didnt do ill be so pissed! This is a game where you stop the run I would think. Hopefully the defense continues what they started against Brady, and be that dominant force.

Offense needs a break out game and I hope this is it. I would love to see more running the ball, thought they did good against the pats.

Hopefully guys like Hall and MJ are back this week.

[ArmyBengal]

Zimmer really dialed up some plays yesterday against Brady and one of the better o-lines in the league.

I can't see why the plan should be any different one week to the next considering the talent this defense has.

Just pressure the hell out of the QB all day.

Oh and can someone please tell Gruden to take the screen pass play behind the line of scrimmage to the TE on 3rd and long out of the play book ??

Hell, throw the ball long and hope for a flag.

[HoosierCat]

Here's Lewis in the preseason versus Detroit. Looks a lot like Josh Johnson: passing accuracy is poor, but has some wheels. Note that he had only been with the team for like a week at this point and is playing with scrubs, so his throwing will probably be more on-target this weekend. But the Bengals have had problems with mobile QBs in the past.

/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIWu45CRszM

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Gotta take a game on the road sooner or later, now is the time. Dalton's performances take a hit on the road, so he, once again, has to quit turning it over and make some plays on 3rd down like he did vs Green Bay and the Pats, or they lose.

Gruden's offense just isn't scoring as many points as it should, and really hasn't been very impressive since he's been here. Not sure if that ever changes.

4-2 would be sweet.

[COB]

Thad Lewis is going to start for the Bills? THE Thad Lewis?

[Sea Ray]

Here's Lewis in the preseason versus Detroit. Looks a lot like Josh Johnson: passing accuracy is poor, but has some wheels. Note that he had only been with the team for like a week at this point and is playing with scrubs, so his throwing will probably be more on-target this weekend. But the Bengals have had problems with mobile QBs in the past.

Zim ought to use the D he installed vs Washington last year. Playing the read option with RG3 at the helm, he had our D line pound him everytime he left the pocket even if he handed off. This took a toll on RG3 physically and he was not so anxious to leave the pocket in the 2nd half. That was an excellent D vs a mobile QB

[COB]

Ok, I just watched that film of Thad Lewis that Hoosier posted. Thad can throw a screen pass, and if you are an unknown quarterback, that's usually all you have to do against us.

[TJJackson]

Ok, I just watched that film of Thad Lewis that Hoosier posted. Thad can throw a screen pass, and if you are an unknown quarterback, that's usually all you have to do against us.

Sadly, we can't assume this will be a cakewalk

This team has over the years turned many previously unknown scrub players into superstars, playing down to the level of competition

They should go into this game with a mindset where merely wining isn't enough. The mindset needs to be "anything less than absolute dominant win is a failure"

[HoosierCat]

The other thing to consider is that for whatever reason the Bengals have been pitiful against Buffalo for a couple decades now. Under Marvin Cincy is 1-5 in games against the Bills. In the last 11 meetings, the Bengals are 1-10. The last time the Bengals won in Buffalo, our running back was Larry Kinnebrew. That was 28 freaking years ago.

[Scottishbengal]

The last time the Bengals won in Buffalo, our running back was Larry Kinnebrew. That was 28 freaking years ago.

This should be motivational to all Bengals players - a chance to make history !

[HoosierCat]

Buffalo IR'd their rookie kicker Hopkins today. They've got Dan Carpenter who has been doing well but he doesn't have Hopkins' cannon-leg. So Brandon Tate may have a chance to catch the ball around the 5 and bring it out to the 12 or so a couple times.

[volcom69]

Lol which is why I wish they would take a look at Cribbs, at least he might be able to do something.

[HoosierCat]

Hobs:

Geoff Hobson ‏@GeoffHobsonCin 1h

Lewis says feels good about getting Hall back this week

Good news.

[HoosierCat]

More good news for Bills fans: Buffalo will be conducting an open competition for the starting LG spot during this week's game!

Head coach Doug Marrone said Monday that Legursky will now compete with Colin Brown for the starting job at left guard, continuing a battle that began in training camp.

"We do need to improve our play there. That's going to be an open competition," Marrone said. "Both of those players will play at left guard this week against Cincinnati. How we're going to do it, we still haven't finalized that plan. By quarters, by series, whatever it may be, that we're going to work out during the week with the players and what the best situation for all of us to get the stuff out there."

/>http://espn.go.com/blog/buffalo-bills/post/_/id/2451/bills-open-lg-battle-swap-backups

[Stripes]

I know we can't take anything for granted in the NFL and especially with the Cincinnati Bengals. I'll be nervous as always regardless of the score.

But if we lose THIS game.

[ArmyBengal]

But if we lose THIS game.

It will and should irritate the hell out of everyone who cheers for or thought they were Super Bowl contenders.

I just wouldn't be able to make any sense out of a Buffalo loss. None. Zero. Not at all.

I get the Chicago loss, but feel we gave that away.

I even get the Cleveland loss, but 6 points ?? Seriously ??

At the start of the season, had I told you we were going to beat the Steelers, Packers, AND Patriots would you have guessed we would be 3-3 ??

Yeah, it would be an infuriating loss.

[HoosierCat]

Some Bills injury notes headed into the week from espn. Sounds like they will be getting some guys back.

Wide receiver Stevie Johnson will be "day-to-day" with a lower back injury.

Cornerback Ron Brooks, who fractured his foot in the season opener, will test the injury Tuesday and could be back at practice Wednesday.

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who fractured his wrist in the preseason, will also work out Tuesday and should be back on the practice field Wednesday.

Marrone says "he feels good about" cornerback Leodis McKelvin, who played extensively against Cleveland but has been nursing a hamstring injury.

Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, who fractured his hand in the season opener, will practice. Marrone said "we'll just have to see" if Goodwin is healthy enough to play Sunday.

Running back C.J. Spiller, who is still dealing with an ankle injury, may get a day or two off during practice this week.

[volcom69]

Zimmer said he is impressed with Thad Lewis. It will be interesting to see the game plan for a mobile QB, and 2 very good RBs.

[WhoDey93285]

The key to this game will be containing Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller. Also, don't let Thad Lewis break contain and make plays with his feet. Keep him in the pocket. Do that, we win. I'm pretty confident about this game as I'm thinking the New England win is going to propel us for the rest of the year. However, on the road in the NFL, you just never know. It's not like the Bills are the Jaguars, and as an above poster mentioned, the Bengals have been AWFUL against Buffalo under Marvin and literally haven't won in Buffalo in my lifetime, so there's that.

However, like I said, I've predicted this season pretty much spot on so far, so here's to hoping my gut is right again.

27-14 Bengals.

[COB]

The last game I went to in person down at PBS was the Bills visiting on Nov. 21, 2010.

It was a classic display of Palmer suckitude. He has sucked ass this year in Arizona, and I'm sure those fans would recognize the performance I was subjected to Back in 2010.

Bengals were up 31-14 at the half. Palmer then lead his team to a 49-31 ass-beating that featured two second half picks that made me want to barf. One he was blatantly forcing it in the end zone to T.O., who of course was demanding the ball. Side note - T.O. was here because Palmer thought it would be a great idea to bring in the one receiver who could make Chad seem almost normal.

It was king of a pivotal game in my mind. Palmer was just in no way a leader that day. The diva histrionics of Chad and T.O. were dictating offensive policy, and Palmer was just letting it happen. His body language, his lack of urgency, the whole package. Just depressing. To his credit he forced his way out of town and anally penetrated Raider and Cardinal fans, leaving me to complain about a much better (though still not good enough) quarterback.

Horrible game and it was made even worse when my favorite player on the team back then, Chris Crocker, got his right knee completely jacked up. He tore his ACL, and was taken out on a golf cart. I was in the front row in the southern end zone, and as they drove him by I yelled a bunch of encouraging things to him, like, "You'll be back Chris! Hang in there Chris!," that kind of stuff. He never looked up, he was just hanging his head he was so bummed out.

Ryan Fitzpatrick looked like Dan Fouts that day. Palmer looked like, well, Palmer.

Looking for some payback this weekend.

[ArmyBengal]

Oddly enough, the last time the Bengals and Bills played was in Dalton's rookie season.

He led the team to a come from behind win, driving his team downfield with under two minutes on the clock to set up the winning field goal.

You'd think he wasn't capable of doing that, but damned if that game didn't really happen.

He was the first Bengals QB to beat the Bills in over a 10 year span at that point.

[volcom69]

Oddly enough, the last time the Bengals and Bills played was in Dalton's rookie season.

He led the team to a come from behind win, driving his team downfield with under two minutes on the clock to set up the winning field goal.

You'd think he wasn't capable of doing that, but damned if that game didn't really happen.

He was the first Bengals QB to beat the Bills in over a 10 year span at that point.

He used his legs to get out of trouble. Sorry I keep bringing it up, I just remember him at TCU, at the rose bowl running the ball, running the option. I just think there would be less sacks, if he could run out of trouble, or even more boot legs.

Yes that was an awesome game, after that game I thought Dalton was a keeper.