Worried Yet?

The Bengals won their first game of the season in week two on Sunday. It happened in front of a sold out home crowd in Paul Brown Stadium. The game was exciting, the fans were loud, the Jungle was rocking, and the offense was dynamic. The final score against our rivals, the Cleveland Browns, was 34-27. We as fans in Who Dey nation should be happy, right? Right? We got a win, we are essentially tied for the #1 spot in the AFC North, yet I am still left disappointed. I feel bad for feeling this way. A win is a win, right? Do I expect too much from this team, from these individual players? I can't be the only one that feels this way.

The offense looked good for the most part. The offensive line, filled with young and inexperienced guys, looked decent. They did break down more than a few times, though, allowing Dalton to be sacked 6 times. This is something that they need to work on, but will definitely change week to week as they mold together as a unit and get more game experience. The running game, on the legs of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, was solid again. The Law Firm managed 75 yards on the ground and 30 yards through the air. He was a bright spot in the offense again. The O-Line didn't seem like they were as sturdy in the blocking department this week, or I feel like Green-Ellis would have had triple digits on the ground. Peerman was used for one carry this week, but he was only able to get 1 yard. So it looks like the Bengals may be ready to say Green-Ellis is the full time back. I know that Scott is still not back from injury, but the game seems to be good on the ground without the running back by committee approach.

The receivers really stepped up this game. The ball was spread around more and Dalton was more precise on his throws. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done there. He was still overthrowing guys at very inopportune times, but he did look a lot better. Andrew Hawkins came up big again and proved that he can make the tough, smart run after the catch. He has a good eye for holes on the field and missed coverage. I think he may be good option for Andy this year and is quickly becoming the safety net for the quarterback. Tate had a coming out party, as well, on Sunday. He picked up 71 yards on 3 receptions and had a touchdown, followed closely by Binns at 66 yards, Green at 58 yards, Hawkins at 56 yards, and Gresham at 37 yards. All together Andy Dalton threw for 318 yards, 3 TD, and 1 interception. The fourth touchdown came from a punt return to open the Bengals first possession from PacMan Jones in the first quarter. Overall the offense and special teams shined.

Now for the ugly part of the game. The part that leaves me empty and killed the mood of a home win. At the beginning of the season everyone talked about this Defense and how great they were going to be. I was there at training camp, I saw them. They looked great. They were big up front, fast, and able to penetrate. Sports writers raved about them. Many saying they were quietly going to be in the top 5. I feel like that was years ago and we are talking about a completely different defense now that the season has started. These guys up front can't stop the run, they barely get penetration, and the backfield is virtually non-existent. There are bad tackles, blown coverage, and the backs and safeties look like they just can't keep up. Is Leon Hall done? Was this last injury too much? I heard the gentlemen talking beside me and one put it best. The older man said, "Did you notice Mays isn't out on the field right now?" In response, the younger guy said, "Did you notice Hall is on the field right now? Because he isn't playing." It is so true. Hall is out there, but he isn't playing at any kind of pro level. It isn't just him either. Clements didn't look that great and Nelson isn't even mentioned this year. With the talent in this division, the Bengals are never going to survive like this. You can't let a team like the Browns score 439 yards and 27 points on you. Just the previous week against the Ravens it was another 430 yards on this defense. This is basically like losing and it will be losing if Dalton and the offense isn't as great every single game as they were yesterday afternoon. The defense, alone, is what makes me feel yesterday was still a loss and rips all hope away from me and the other fans. The schedule is too tough and we all know that the offense just isn't consistent enough yet behind Dalton. This isn't the Patriots of last year. We aren't a 50 point a game offense. So the defense needs to step it up or you can guarantee this will be another losing season for the Orange and Black.


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