Bengals Gain Another Moral Victory in Loss to Ravens
With Sunday's loss in Baltimore, the Bengals fell to 6-4 on the season, but if you're counting moral victories, the Bengals would be 2-0.
In the NFL, however, the only thing that matters is the number of victories on the field, not those internal victories.
All looked lost with the Bengals down 31-14 with 14 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, but give Andy Dalton and the Bengals a lot of credit for coming back. Dalton looked like a rookie on Sunday, which he still is, throwing three interceptions against the tough Ravens defense. However, Dalton and the Bengals offense still managed to put up 483-yds of offense, 373-yds through the air, and had a chance to tie the game with under a minute to go.
Jermaine Gresham's touchdown in the fourth quarter initially looked to put the Bengals within three points, but replay later overturn the call. Whether you agree with the call or not, The Calvin Johnson Rule, as it's called, does state that a player must maintain control of the bald after he touches the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. I disagree with the call, and the rule, and SI's Peter King does a great job of explaining why.
10. I hate the inconsistency of touchdowns called in the end zone. Just hate it. Go back and watch the Jermaine Gresham catch ruled not a touchdown for the Bengals late in the loss at Baltimore. Gresham gets control of the ball as he takes two steps and passes the goal line. When he falls to the ground, the ball is dislodged. But he has already pierced the goal line. The touchdown should have counted. It was ruled that Gresham didn't complete the act of catching the ball. But he did complete the act of piercing the goal line with the ball in control. Watch the play. Tell me what you think. Tell me I'm nuts -- please. I cannot fathom the play not being a touchdown. Gresham got control, took steps, went through the plane of the goal line, then lost it on the ground. No touchdown. Crazy.
The Bengals still had a chance to win it at the end with less than 10-yards to go, but the offensive line's inability to stop a three man pass rush, and the referee's not calling a very obvious horse caller and hit to the head by Terrell Suggs on Andy Dalton, resulted in the Bengals fourth loss of the season.
There are six games left in the season and the Bengals playoff chances are still very, very good. If the season ended today they would be in the playoffs and I think the Bengals will indeed be in the playoffs come January. And here's why.
It looks like a 10-6 record in the AFC should be good enough to get in to the playoffs and the Bengals have three very winnable games remaining. Starting with Cleveland this weekend, then Arizona at home, and a game in St. Louis against the Rams, should all result in Bengals wins. That gets them to 9 wins meaning all they have to do is find a way to beat Pittsburgh, Houston or Baltimore. The trip to Pittsburgh will be tough, but Baltimore is at home, and Houston will be without QB Matt Schaub when the come to Cincinnati in December.
If the Bengals take care of business against the Browns, Rams, and Cardinals, then find a way to win of their remaining three games...Hello playoffs! I wrote earlier this year that there would be no playoffs for the Bengals in 2011 and even though six games remain, I sure hope I'm wrong. And if I am, that's worthy of a "C'mon Man."
"HOLY CRAP" PERFORMERS
QB Matthew Stafford, Lions: The Lions became the first team since 1950 to come back and win a game after trailing by at least 17 points three different times in a season with a 49-35 win over Carolina on Sunday. Stafford played a major part in this one going 28/36, for 335-yds, 5 TD and 2 INT, after having a horrible performance last week in Chicago.
RB Kevin Smith, Lions: Smith did a nice job filling in for the injured Jahvid Best with 16 carries for 140-yds; 4 receptions for 61-yds, and two total touchdowns.
WR Jordy Nelson, Packers: 6 receptions for 123-yds and 2 TD from one of Aaron Rodgers' many talented receivers.
WR Torrey Smith, Ravens: The guy can flat out fly and Cincinnati had no one who could cover him. Smith had 6 receptions for 165-yds, and a touchdown in the Ravens win.
RB Ray Rice, Ravens: The Bengals had no answer for Ray Rice, as he totaled 104-yds and two touchdowns on the ground, and 43-yds receiving on 5 receptions.
Miami Dolphins: As ESPN's Mike Greenberg has said, "Dolphins head coach Tony Soprano was fired before the season started, they just didn't take his job away." Soprano will more than likely not be the head coach of the Miami Dolphins next season, but despite starting the season 0-7, the Dolphins to continue to play tough and have won three straight. QB Matt Moore has played very well since taking over for the injured Chad Henne - 14/20, 160-yds, 3 TD - and could the Dolphins have found their quarterback of the future?
RB Michael Bush, Raiders: How good has Bush been for the Raiders since RB Darren McFadden went down with injury? Well, since October 23rd against Kansas City, Bush had rushed for 461-yds, he has three total touchdowns, and the Raiders are in first place in the AFC West at 6-4.
QB Tony Romo, Cowboys: Tony Romo has been heavily criticized for his poor performances this season, but he really has been playing well the last three weeks. Romo was 23/37 for 292-yds and 3 TD in defeating the rival Redskins 27-24 in overtime on Sunday, and the Cowboys are now tied for first in the NFC East.
WR Jabar Gaffney, Redskins: 7 receptions for 115-yds and a touchdown from Gaffney in the Redskins' loss to Dallas.
LB London Fletcher, Redskins: 16 total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble from tackle machine London Fletcher against the Cowboys.
DE Chris Clemons, Seahawks: 5 total tackles and 3 sacks from Clemons as Seattle kept their season alive, for now.
San Francisco 49ers: Let's just say, Jim Harbaugh's squad is pretty damn good. Frisco improved to 9-1 on the season with a 23-7 victory over Arizona Sunday, in which they put up 431-yds of offense, controlled the ball for 44 minutes, and forced five turnovers. A big game is coming up Thanksgiving night for the Jim and the 49ers, as they head to Baltimore to take on brother John and the 7-3 Ravens.
WR Nate Washington, Titans: Washington had 9 receptions for 115-yds and 2 TD in the Titans 23-17 loss to the Falcons.
WR Vincent Jackson, Chargers: 7 receptions for 165-yds and a touchdown from Jackson Sunday against the Bears, as the Chargers have now lost five straight after starting the season 4-1.
Chicago Bears: The Bears won their fifth straight game on Sunday by defeating the San Diego Chargers 31-20, but QB Jay Cutler apparently broke his right thumb and is lost for the reminder of the regular season. Chicago has played very well over the past month and I think they are one of the few teams that can compete with Green Bay in the NFC, but now without Cutler, that doesn't seem realistic. Just a devastating injury for the Bears as they now turn to Caleb Hanie at quarterback.
WR Victor Cruz, Giants: Cruz was the lone bright spot for the Giants Sunday, with 6 receptions for 128-yds and a touchdown.
"Holy Crap" Performer of the Week
QB Tim Tebow, Broncos: Whether your a Tim Tebow skeptic or Tim Tebow believer, the guy has the Broncos 5-5, and vying for a playoff spot with six games to go. Nuf Ced.
"C'MON MAN" PERFORMANCES
QB Mark Sanchez, Jets: Mark my words, no pun intended, the Jets will never win a Super Bowl, yet along get to a Super Bowl, as long as Mark Sanchez is quarterback. His poor season continued as he was out shined by Tim Tebow Thursday night by going 24/40 for 252-yds and he threw a very costly pick six in the Jets 17-14 loss.
QB Cam Newton, Panthers: Cam Newton is having a very good season and his defense has not help him much this season, but it's hard for your team to win when you throw four interceptions. Newton did throw for 280-yds on 22/38 passing, with a touchdown and Cam ran for 37-yds and 2 TD, but the Panthers lost their eighth game of the season.
Green Bay Packers Defense: Aaron Rodgers and the offense are arguably the best in the league, but the Packers defense is a little concerning. Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount broke a 54-yd run in the second quarter that looked like the run Marshawn Lynch had against the Saints in last year's playoffs. At least six different guys had a chance to bring him down and if the Packers are to go undefeated, and more importantly win their second straight Super Bowl, the defense has to play better.
Buffalo Bills: Since starting the season a very surprising 3-0, and then winning four of their first five, the Bills have now lost three in a row by a combined 80 points. So much for the Bills finally turning it around.
St. Louis Rams: The Rams poor season continues as they lost to the division rival Seahawks 24-7 and fell to a very disappointing 2-8.
QB John Skelton, Cardinals: Skelton had played well the last two weeks filling in for the injured Kevin Kolb, but not on Sunday. Skelton was benched against the 49ers after going 6/19 for 99-yds and 3 INT.
RB Chris Johnson and the Tennessee rushing attack: The rushing woes continued for the Chris Johnson and the Titans Sunday. Johnson had just 13-yards on 12 carries and as a team, the Titans had 41-yds on 14 carries, which is good for 2.9-yards per carry.
"C'mon Man" Performance of the Week
New York Giants: An ugly, ugly game from the G-Men Sunday night. Going into Sunday, I thought the Giants were one of the top four teams in the NFC and one of the best in the entire league. But they sure didn't play like it against a Philadelphia team that was playing for their playoff lives. The Giants put up just 10 points, 278-yds of offense, they turned the ball over twice, and only averaged 1.7-yards rushing on 17 carries for 29-yards. Now the Dallas Cowboys are tied with them in the division, as the Giants head to New Orleans to take on Drew Brees and the Saints Monday Night.
| Jermaine Gresham's fourth quarter touchdown catch that was overturned by replay after being ruled a touchdown on the field, loomed large in the Bengals defeat. (The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger) |
In the NFL, however, the only thing that matters is the number of victories on the field, not those internal victories.
All looked lost with the Bengals down 31-14 with 14 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, but give Andy Dalton and the Bengals a lot of credit for coming back. Dalton looked like a rookie on Sunday, which he still is, throwing three interceptions against the tough Ravens defense. However, Dalton and the Bengals offense still managed to put up 483-yds of offense, 373-yds through the air, and had a chance to tie the game with under a minute to go.
Jermaine Gresham's touchdown in the fourth quarter initially looked to put the Bengals within three points, but replay later overturn the call. Whether you agree with the call or not, The Calvin Johnson Rule, as it's called, does state that a player must maintain control of the bald after he touches the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. I disagree with the call, and the rule, and SI's Peter King does a great job of explaining why.
10. I hate the inconsistency of touchdowns called in the end zone. Just hate it. Go back and watch the Jermaine Gresham catch ruled not a touchdown for the Bengals late in the loss at Baltimore. Gresham gets control of the ball as he takes two steps and passes the goal line. When he falls to the ground, the ball is dislodged. But he has already pierced the goal line. The touchdown should have counted. It was ruled that Gresham didn't complete the act of catching the ball. But he did complete the act of piercing the goal line with the ball in control. Watch the play. Tell me what you think. Tell me I'm nuts -- please. I cannot fathom the play not being a touchdown. Gresham got control, took steps, went through the plane of the goal line, then lost it on the ground. No touchdown. Crazy.
 |
| The Bengals really missed standout rookie wide receiver A.J. Green Sunday, who sat out with a knee injury. (The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger) |
There are six games left in the season and the Bengals playoff chances are still very, very good. If the season ended today they would be in the playoffs and I think the Bengals will indeed be in the playoffs come January. And here's why.
It looks like a 10-6 record in the AFC should be good enough to get in to the playoffs and the Bengals have three very winnable games remaining. Starting with Cleveland this weekend, then Arizona at home, and a game in St. Louis against the Rams, should all result in Bengals wins. That gets them to 9 wins meaning all they have to do is find a way to beat Pittsburgh, Houston or Baltimore. The trip to Pittsburgh will be tough, but Baltimore is at home, and Houston will be without QB Matt Schaub when the come to Cincinnati in December.
If the Bengals take care of business against the Browns, Rams, and Cardinals, then find a way to win of their remaining three games...Hello playoffs! I wrote earlier this year that there would be no playoffs for the Bengals in 2011 and even though six games remain, I sure hope I'm wrong. And if I am, that's worthy of a "C'mon Man."
"HOLY CRAP" PERFORMERS
QB Matthew Stafford, Lions: The Lions became the first team since 1950 to come back and win a game after trailing by at least 17 points three different times in a season with a 49-35 win over Carolina on Sunday. Stafford played a major part in this one going 28/36, for 335-yds, 5 TD and 2 INT, after having a horrible performance last week in Chicago.
RB Kevin Smith, Lions: Smith did a nice job filling in for the injured Jahvid Best with 16 carries for 140-yds; 4 receptions for 61-yds, and two total touchdowns.
WR Jordy Nelson, Packers: 6 receptions for 123-yds and 2 TD from one of Aaron Rodgers' many talented receivers.
WR Torrey Smith, Ravens: The guy can flat out fly and Cincinnati had no one who could cover him. Smith had 6 receptions for 165-yds, and a touchdown in the Ravens win.
| Ravens RB Ray Rice played a big role in Baltimore's 31-24 win Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals with two rushing touchdowns. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) |
Miami Dolphins: As ESPN's Mike Greenberg has said, "Dolphins head coach Tony Soprano was fired before the season started, they just didn't take his job away." Soprano will more than likely not be the head coach of the Miami Dolphins next season, but despite starting the season 0-7, the Dolphins to continue to play tough and have won three straight. QB Matt Moore has played very well since taking over for the injured Chad Henne - 14/20, 160-yds, 3 TD - and could the Dolphins have found their quarterback of the future?
RB Michael Bush, Raiders: How good has Bush been for the Raiders since RB Darren McFadden went down with injury? Well, since October 23rd against Kansas City, Bush had rushed for 461-yds, he has three total touchdowns, and the Raiders are in first place in the AFC West at 6-4.
QB Tony Romo, Cowboys: Tony Romo has been heavily criticized for his poor performances this season, but he really has been playing well the last three weeks. Romo was 23/37 for 292-yds and 3 TD in defeating the rival Redskins 27-24 in overtime on Sunday, and the Cowboys are now tied for first in the NFC East.
WR Jabar Gaffney, Redskins: 7 receptions for 115-yds and a touchdown from Gaffney in the Redskins' loss to Dallas.
LB London Fletcher, Redskins: 16 total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble from tackle machine London Fletcher against the Cowboys.
DE Chris Clemons, Seahawks: 5 total tackles and 3 sacks from Clemons as Seattle kept their season alive, for now.
San Francisco 49ers: Let's just say, Jim Harbaugh's squad is pretty damn good. Frisco improved to 9-1 on the season with a 23-7 victory over Arizona Sunday, in which they put up 431-yds of offense, controlled the ball for 44 minutes, and forced five turnovers. A big game is coming up Thanksgiving night for the Jim and the 49ers, as they head to Baltimore to take on brother John and the 7-3 Ravens.
WR Nate Washington, Titans: Washington had 9 receptions for 115-yds and 2 TD in the Titans 23-17 loss to the Falcons.
WR Vincent Jackson, Chargers: 7 receptions for 165-yds and a touchdown from Jackson Sunday against the Bears, as the Chargers have now lost five straight after starting the season 4-1.
Chicago Bears: The Bears won their fifth straight game on Sunday by defeating the San Diego Chargers 31-20, but QB Jay Cutler apparently broke his right thumb and is lost for the reminder of the regular season. Chicago has played very well over the past month and I think they are one of the few teams that can compete with Green Bay in the NFC, but now without Cutler, that doesn't seem realistic. Just a devastating injury for the Bears as they now turn to Caleb Hanie at quarterback.
WR Victor Cruz, Giants: Cruz was the lone bright spot for the Giants Sunday, with 6 receptions for 128-yds and a touchdown.
"Holy Crap" Performer of the Week
QB Tim Tebow, Broncos: Whether your a Tim Tebow skeptic or Tim Tebow believer, the guy has the Broncos 5-5, and vying for a playoff spot with six games to go. Nuf Ced.
"C'MON MAN" PERFORMANCES
QB Mark Sanchez, Jets: Mark my words, no pun intended, the Jets will never win a Super Bowl, yet along get to a Super Bowl, as long as Mark Sanchez is quarterback. His poor season continued as he was out shined by Tim Tebow Thursday night by going 24/40 for 252-yds and he threw a very costly pick six in the Jets 17-14 loss.
QB Cam Newton, Panthers: Cam Newton is having a very good season and his defense has not help him much this season, but it's hard for your team to win when you throw four interceptions. Newton did throw for 280-yds on 22/38 passing, with a touchdown and Cam ran for 37-yds and 2 TD, but the Panthers lost their eighth game of the season.
Green Bay Packers Defense: Aaron Rodgers and the offense are arguably the best in the league, but the Packers defense is a little concerning. Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount broke a 54-yd run in the second quarter that looked like the run Marshawn Lynch had against the Saints in last year's playoffs. At least six different guys had a chance to bring him down and if the Packers are to go undefeated, and more importantly win their second straight Super Bowl, the defense has to play better.
Buffalo Bills: Since starting the season a very surprising 3-0, and then winning four of their first five, the Bills have now lost three in a row by a combined 80 points. So much for the Bills finally turning it around.
St. Louis Rams: The Rams poor season continues as they lost to the division rival Seahawks 24-7 and fell to a very disappointing 2-8.
QB John Skelton, Cardinals: Skelton had played well the last two weeks filling in for the injured Kevin Kolb, but not on Sunday. Skelton was benched against the 49ers after going 6/19 for 99-yds and 3 INT.
RB Chris Johnson and the Tennessee rushing attack: The rushing woes continued for the Chris Johnson and the Titans Sunday. Johnson had just 13-yards on 12 carries and as a team, the Titans had 41-yds on 14 carries, which is good for 2.9-yards per carry.
"C'mon Man" Performance of the Week
New York Giants: An ugly, ugly game from the G-Men Sunday night. Going into Sunday, I thought the Giants were one of the top four teams in the NFC and one of the best in the entire league. But they sure didn't play like it against a Philadelphia team that was playing for their playoff lives. The Giants put up just 10 points, 278-yds of offense, they turned the ball over twice, and only averaged 1.7-yards rushing on 17 carries for 29-yards. Now the Dallas Cowboys are tied with them in the division, as the Giants head to New Orleans to take on Drew Brees and the Saints Monday Night.
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