Browns @ Bengals Pregame Thread

[Scottishbengal]

Bengals will crush Cleveland. As horrific as they played the last 2 weeks. They lost in out on the road, against teams whose backs were against the wall. Finally the Bengals are back at home, where they will have their swagger. Sundays loss was gross, but sit tight. If they can get everyone in sync by playoffs. The Bengals could make a run. Dalton looks bad when he gets pressured. Just like Brady did VS Cincy.They crush Cleveland. ZERO doubt.

Apart from Cincy only the Patriots, Chiefs, Bronco's, Saints, and Seahawks have 100% home records. I'm really not convinced that we're good enough to be sat at that table when you factor in the decimation of the D through injuries and the horrible O stats and play calling of late.

This is a HUGE game for the Browns.

This is a HUGE game for the Bengals too

[HoosierCat]

It will be interesting to see how Campbell does. He's had success the last two weeks against some good defenses, but a lot of that has been due to the Browns' defense and special teams setting him up with good field position. By contrast in the first game, Hoyer had two 90+ yard scoring drives, as well as 55- and 61-yard drives that ended in missed field goals. He absolutely ate our D alive on third downs (9-17, 125 yards, which was 37% of Cleveland's total offensive output). Not sure I see see Campbell doing that Sunday

Of course, I'm not sure I see our sputtering O doing all that much better than last time, either. I would not be at all surprised by a low-scoring punt-fest that comes down to which team breaks one or two big returns.

[volcom69]

The problem with the bengals is you never know what team your going to get. If they come out and play like they did against the Jets, then they will crush them, they play like last week then who knows.

Bengals are so in consistant it's disgusting! If they O-Line can finally step up and give Dalton time like he had on that 3 game stretch, then that will tell us who Dalton is! Must win game, and I think/hope the bengals know that and play like it.

[cincyhokie]

Yes my point in the Browns giving up a lot of points to the lions and packers in those losses is to point out that they are not world beaters. The Bengals have had 2 subpar games in a row, yes. Two games does not a season make. I like their chances in Cincinnati this week.

[cincyhokie]

If the Bengals O line comes out to play, the browns have no chance.

[combatbengal]

Let’s put this in perspective: The Brown beat the snot out of us when we had a healthy team! They embarrassed us when we have more talent and weapons on offense than they do. They now have a QB that’s playing pretty decent. We have a QB that launches the ball way to high (all season long). If you go back and take a look at all of our deep receptions, you’ll see that our wide outs have to slow down to catch the ball. Very few passes are made in stride with the WR’s. They are leaping for short and mid-range passes! Green is 6'4 and still has to jump to make most of those short to mid range passes. Oh and let’s not talk about his decision making; he finally scramble and instead of throwing the ball away he runs out of bounds for a two yard loss. How smart is that? We have an OC who can’t call plays. He start the Law Firm every game and gives him the ball on the first play and we usually gets zero to negative yards! Green Ellis has 140 attempts with only 460 yards so far. Bernard has 95 attempts with 419 yards. Catches out of the back field - Green Ellis has 2 Receptions for 9 yards, while Bernard has 38 receptions for 304 yards. So to me, it’s not rocket science who should be the featured back.

In my mind, we had a fluke game against the Jets (don't get me wrong, I loved that type of victory) because we always seem to find ways to play at the level of the team we’re playing; Jets were the exception. We should have beaten the Bears in week one, but we decided to play at their level and end up beating ourselves. We should have beaten the Fins and Ravens, but once again we came out looking unprepared, confused, undisciplined and found a way to beat ourselves.

I’m not sure how this game will turn out: depends on which Bengal team decides to show up. We should be 9-1 right now but for some unknown reason, we just aren’t performing to the level that we can, our game plans suck, there are no adjustments made at half time (that are noticeable), never seems to be a sense of urgency when we’re behind or towards the end of the game or half, and so on and so on!!

I hope, dream, want, hunger, need, desire, crave for improvement. I’d love to see this team start playing a full 60 minute game and play to their full potential. I’m tired of hearing Marvin week after week, year after year giving the same answer. We just need to play better; we just have to get better. When exactly is this going to happen?

Yes, we’re in first place in the division, but this team has the talent to be 3-4 games ahead of everybody else! Got my fingers cross for a Bengal victory this weekend!!

[ArmyBengal]

O-line. Is there really much more to mention ??

Give Dalton time and the Bengals win this game. Give him what they've given him the past two games and expect 3 more INT's.

Don't get me wrong, some of those passes were B-A-D, bad, but the o-line has been equally poor in their execution.

It's been proven time and time again this season that Dalton is way above average when given time and way below when not.

Haven't seen the injury report lately.

Then again, I didn't go looking for it.

That might have something to do with it.

[HoosierCat]

Browns appear healthy coming off their bye. Bengals were off yesterday as usual, we should get some word on how guys are today.

[cincyhokie]

Browns appear healthy coming off their bye. Bengals were off yesterday as usual, we should get some word on how guys are today.

Quentin Groves is out for the year.

[ArmyBengal]

Any ideas on Bengals potential game plans ??

The Browns running game is terrible, but they only ran for 89 yards in the first game win.

Campbell has only been sacked 3 times in his last two starts so the Browns o-line has been doing well.

[redsbengalsbucks]

and we have an apparently brain-dead OC whose answer to 20-30 MPH winds is to throw the ball 50+ times.

I watched that game and saw a very good run game, that was there for the taking, but was forgotten somewhere in the 2nd quarter. Jay got desperate way to early.

[cincyhokie]

Are the Browns the best team in the AFCN? Is Jason Campbell an elite QB? This Browns columnist thinks so!!!!

/>http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2013/11/cleveland_browns_are_currently.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[ArmyBengal]

Are the Browns the best team in the AFCN? Is Jason Campbell an elite QB? This Browns columnist thinks so!!!!

/>http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2013/11/cleveland_browns_are_currently.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

I will admit that I really enjoy seeing the Browns ahead of the Steelers and seeing them moving forward for a change.

However, any column preaching about Jason Campbell being an "elite" NFL QB and Josh Gordon being a "match" with AJ Green is questionable at best.

Does that mean the Bengals win this game and go on a triumphant run the remainder of the season ?? No, but the article smacks of homerism.

[Scottishbengal]

Any ideas on Bengals potential game plans ??

The Browns running game is terrible, but they only ran for 89 yards in the first game win.

Campbell has only been sacked 3 times in his last two starts so the Browns o-line has been doing well.

MaGahee is averaging 2.6yds per carry. Chris Ogboingaboingaboinga or whatever his name is is going for 5.3ypc so he appears to be the bigger threat (a situation like our own with BJGE wearing down a D so that Gio can rip it apart). Even if Maualuga is still out I think we should have enough to contain the Browns running game.

Cameron and Jordan are the Browns passing threats - 600 and 626yds respectively for the season so far. I'd fear Jordan more so as we have always had trouble containing TE's and he's making 17.9yds per reception ...... can we stop the Browns on 3rd and long ?? This will become a crucial factor in the game planning and we'll need our pass rush to have their game faces on !!

Clevelands punt returns are around the 10 to 12yd mark so not too much of a worry provided we haven't gone 3 and out on our own 10 yard line !

Their kick returns are avearging more around the 20 to 30yd per return mark so perhaps we need to get down field a bit quicker and wrap up the carrier keeping the field stretched for their O.

And Jason campbell is currently playing at a 106.6 passer rating.

Defensively the Browns are pretty solid, their O-line gives good protection. There's no way we should take this for game granted.

If our O plays well we know the D can too so we SHOULD win, If our O stutters, sucks, and turns the ball over then you may as well toss a coin as to which way this game goes.

[cincyhokie]

Are the Browns the best team in the AFCN? Is Jason Campbell an elite QB? This Browns columnist thinks so!!!!

/>http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2013/11/cleveland_browns_are_currently.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

I will admit that I really enjoy seeing the Browns ahead of the Steelers and seeing them moving forward for a change.

However, any column preaching about Jason Campbell being an "elite" NFL QB and Josh Gordon being a "match" with AJ Green is questionable at best.

Does that mean the Bengals win this game and go on a triumphant run the remainder of the season ?? No, but the article smacks of homerism.

YAAAAAAAAY! The Browns have won the 9 game mark AFCN Crown!!!!!!!!

............oh wait....................

[HoosierCat]

and we have an apparently brain-dead OC whose answer to 20-30 MPH winds is to throw the ball 50+ times.

I watched that game and saw a very good run game, that was there for the taking, but was forgotten somewhere in the 2nd quarter. Jay got desperate way to early.

Ya think? Here's a fun stat: at their current pace, the Bengals will top 600 pass attempts by the end of the regular season. I didn't check back through the entire history of the franchise but it would be the most this century, and probably a franchise record. The closest I found was 591 attempts in the 2002 debacle.

I get it. BJGE is a three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust guy. He isn't going to break a game open for you too often. And Gio is banged up right now. So...how about getting Burkhead off the bench? The best thing they could do to help Dalton and the o-line against Cleveland is to get the run going.

The injury report already looks like 2009. Fine, let's take a page from the '09 offense. Remember the unbalanced o-line, elephant packages and Dennis "tackle eligible" Roland? Load 'em up and pound the rock.

[cincyhokie]

and we have an apparently brain-dead OC whose answer to 20-30 MPH winds is to throw the ball 50+ times.

I watched that game and saw a very good run game, that was there for the taking, but was forgotten somewhere in the 2nd quarter. Jay got desperate way to early.

Ya think? Here's a fun stat: at their current pace, the Bengals will top 600 pass attempts by the end of the regular season. I didn't check back through the entire history of the franchise but it would be the most this century, and probably a franchise record. The closest I found was 591 attempts in the 2002 debacle.

I get it. BJGE is a three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust guy. He isn't going to break a game open for you too often. And Gio is banged up right now. So...how about getting Burkhead off the bench? The best thing they could do to help Dalton and the o-line against Cleveland is to get the run going.

The injury report already looks like 2009. Fine, let's take a page from the '09 offense. Remember the unbalanced o-line, elephant packages and Dennis "tackle eligible" Roland? Load 'em up and pound the rock.

Excellent points. I really have confidence that there's going to be improved line play and a shift in the play calling this week. More importantly is breaking the string of getting in the hole 14 to 17 point down in the second quarter. 100 yards in penalties in the 1st half????

That's not going to get it done. It starts this week. IT WILL start this week.

[HoosierCat]

Zeitler still in a boot and on crutches today...

[ArmyBengal]

Zeitler still in a boot and on crutches today... :(/>

:frustrated:

[HoosierCat]

Zeitler still in a boot and on crutches today... :(/>/>

:frustrated:/>

I hear ya, but it could -- could! -- be a blessing in disguise. Zeitler's backup, at least on the depth chart, is everyone's favorite WTF? pick from this year's draft, Tanner "Tiny Arms" Hawkinson, he of the mighty 13 benches at the combine. Book on him coming out was that he was so-so as a pass protector but decent as a run-blocker. And anything that might get Jay to back off the bombs-away approach is a good thing IMO.

[kingwilly]

and we have an apparently brain-dead OC whose answer to 20-30 MPH winds is to throw the ball 50+ times.

I watched that game and saw a very good run game, that was there for the taking, but was forgotten somewhere in the 2nd quarter. Jay got desperate way to early.

Ya think? Here's a fun stat: at their current pace, the Bengals will top 600 pass attempts by the end of the regular season. I didn't check back through the entire history of the franchise but it would be the most this century, and probably a franchise record. The closest I found was 591 attempts in the 2002 debacle.

I get it. BJGE is a three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust guy. He isn't going to break a game open for you too often. And Gio is banged up right now. So...how about getting Burkhead off the bench? The best thing they could do to help Dalton and the o-line against Cleveland is to get the run going.

The injury report already looks like 2009. Fine, let's take a page from the '09 offense. Remember the unbalanced o-line, elephant packages and Dennis "tackle eligible" Roland? Load 'em up and pound the rock.

Pound. The. Rock.

Amen to that. Burkhead is there. BJGE can carry a big load. Do it.

It will soften the edges for AJ, Marvin, Hawk and Sanu. Makes the passing game more balanced and possibly (probably) more effective.

funny how over the past, the bengals win when the RBs (Corey, Rudi, Garrison, Perry, Benson, etc) gt 20+ carries. Well, lets jam the fisrt 1/3 to 1/2 of the game with carries. Play of the statistics.... duh. won't make Aj happy at first but when he is in single coverage he'll be licking his chops, as the Safeties will be up stopping the run.

Heck, even get another RB/FB in here, let one of the WR (Whalen/Dane) or TEs go (Charles or Smith) wasted spots, IMHO. That's 4 spots that don't do much.

[ArmyBengal]

The Browns have done the same thing this season.

Even though they aren't very productive in the running game, THEY DON'T STOP RUNNING THE BALL.

Dalton throwing the ball 50+ times a game is beyond ridiculous.

By the way anyone happen to notice that Dalton is sitting at #3 in passing yards in the league ??

Even with the bye week coming, he won't fall beyond much beyond #7.

However, it sucks that he shares the #3 spot in interceptions as well.

[HoosierCat]

Gresham and Boley back on the field today.

Thompson, Zeitler, Crocker, Still, Maualuga and Burfict all on the sidelines.

[ArmyBengal]

Thompson ?? Burfict ?? Good God.

[HoosierCat]

I think there is a lot of vet rest going on here. Thompson played 75% of defensive snaps with Atkins out and that's probably a single-game record for him here. Burfict played 89% of d-snaps, more than anyone else except Vinny Rey. And per Hobs, Burfict was checked for a concussion late in the Baltimore game but was cleared by the docs.

Geoff also passes along that BJGE has been playing with a broken thumb and bum ankle, but is feeling better now, and hints they'll look to the run Sunday. :sure:/>

ETA: listing of all the dings from reedy:

Joe Reedy ‏@joereedy 6m

#Bengals limited Boley (hamstring), Newman (ankle); Full — Gresham (Groin)

Joe Reedy ‏@joereedy 6m

#Bengals DNP: Burfict/Maualuga (knee), Crocker (hamstring), Still (elbow), Thompson (ankle), Zeitler (foot), Cook (shoulder) ...