5 reasons the Bengals will beat Houston

[augustisback003]

1. D-line- The Bengals D-line is the number one reason why I believe they are going to beat Houston this weekend. Last season the Bengals front four played well but this year they're playing great! The Bengal's fearsome foursome of Atkins (12.5 sacks), Johnson (11.5 sacks), Dunlap (6.0 sacks), Gilberry (6.5 sacks) are the main reason why the team is leading the League in sacks and couple with the stout run-stuffers of Peko and Sims they are capable of handling anything the Texans throw at them.

2. O-line- This year's O-line is far superior to the unit that faced Houston last Season. Gone are Nate Livings and Mike McGylnn replaced by Zeitler and Boling, two of the best young Guards in the League. If the Bengals are going to win they're going to do so because the Line gives Dalton time against a ferocious pass rush to look down field against a beat up Houston secondary. This game will be won or lost in the trenches.

3. Leon Hall- Last season the Bengals limped into their Playoff loss against Houston without arguably their best player in Leon Hall not playing due to an achilles injury. In that game without Hall Andre Johnson was able to return from injury and beat his replacement for close to 100 yds while adding balance to the Texan's attack. Hall's return coupled with the Bengals improved pass rush should provide a different outcome this time around.

4. Revenge factor- Last year's humiliating lost left a bad taste in the young Bengals' mouth and they're looking for revenge. Having a whole year to stew over the loss this team is itching for a fight! Expect another low scoring hard fought slugfest similar to the one we saw in Heinz Field a couple of weeks ago.

5. Momentum- We've seen this team mature before our very eyes and that maturity bodes well for a Bengals run in the playoffs. This team was able to shake off a 4 game losing streak to win 7 of their final 8 games while going 4-0 on the road during that span. And recent history tells us that the hot team that plays well on the road has a chance as Pittsburgh ('05), Arizona ('08) and Green Bay ('10) have all made it to the Super Bowl as Wild Card Teams. I have every confidence that the Bengals will be able to maintain their momentum and win their first Playoff Game since 1990.

 

[4thstreet]

my 5 reasons
1 because
2 Houston
3 fucking
4 sucks
5 lately

 

[cincygrad]

my 5 reasons
1 because
2 Houston
3 fucking
4 sucks
5 lately

LOL!

 

[cincygrad]

1. D-line- The Bengals D-line is the number one reason why I believe they are going to beat Houston this weekend. Last season the Bengals front four played well but this year they're playing great! The Bengal's fearsome foursome of Atkins (12.5 sacks), Johnson (11.5 sacks), Dunlap (6.0 sacks), Gilberry (6.5 sacks) are the main reason why the team is leading the League in sacks and couple with the stout run-stuffers of Peko and Sims they are capable of handling anything the Texans throw at them.

2. O-line- This year's O-line is far superior to the unit that faced Houston last Season. Gone are Nate Livings and Mike McGylnn replaced by Zeitler and Boling, two of the best young Guards in the League. If the Bengals are going to win they're going to do so because the Line gives Dalton time against a ferocious pass rush to look down field against a beat up Houston secondary. This game will be won or lost in the trenches.

3. Leon Hall- Last season the Bengals limped into their Playoff loss against Houston without arguably their best player in Leon Hall not playing due to an achilles injury. In that game without Hall Andre Johnson was able to return from injury and beat his replacement for close to 100 yds while adding balance to the Texan's attack. Hall's return coupled with the Bengals improved pass rush should provide a different outcome this time around.

4. Revenge factor- Last year's humiliating lost left a bad taste in the young Bengals' mouth and they're looking for revenge. Having a whole year to stew over the loss this team is itching for a fight! Expect another low scoring hard fought slugfest similar to the one we saw in Heinz Field a couple of weeks ago.

5. Momentum- We've seen this team mature before our very eyes and that maturity bodes well for a Bengals run in the playoffs. This team was able to shake off a 4 game losing streak to win 7 of their final 8 games while going 4-0 on the road during that span. And recent history tells us that the hot team that plays well on the road has a chance as Pittsburgh ('05), Arizona ('08) and Green Bay ('10) have all made it to the Super Bowl as Wild Card Teams. I have every confidence that the Bengals will be able to maintain their momentum and win their first Playoff Game since 1990.

I agree with your first point - Our defensive line is awesome. It's the strength of this team and can cause some real damage.

I'm also happy that Hall is back - I'm a big fan of his. Though, I doubt he'll see much duty on Andre Johnson. He's spent most of the season playing inside on the slot receivers. It's been an effective strategy - Look what he did against Victor Cruz. Jones and Newman will need to have big games to contain Johnson.

 

[DanBengalfan]

we never established momentum with the offense, that is a joke.

 

[powerchord86]

Gotta hand it to Cincy, they have made a believer out of me lately.

Houston, not so much..

 

[flamingrey]

I'm feeling a lot better about this game than before. One of the Texans fans here at work was telling me they lost the right side of their o-line in the offseason and are starting young guys (one rookie I believe) who are struggling some. Dunlap should be able to feast.

Additionally, they just lost another LB and their pass rush was already struggling. Dalton should have time and needs to play well. Schaub is a good QB and he has some weapons, so we can't rely on the defense to continue putting points on the board for us.

 

[kramer1]

Houston is the better team. There's no arguing that. Momentum? I don't really buy into that. We have a good chance at winning if Dalton gets his head out of his ass, though.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I don't care about the rest of the team...JJ Watt is going to beat Andre Smith like a red headed step child, in other words, a Kramer. Dalton will be running for his life right into the arms of other defenders.

I like our chances, but with Watt, there is no telling what is going to become of our struggling offense.

 

[flamingrey]

With the depleted LB and DB corps and few other pass rushing threats, offenses have consistently double teamed Watt, and I expect the Bengals to do so as well.

The pass rush is not what it was last season or earlier in the season.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

With the depleted LB and DB corps and few other pass rushing threats, offenses have consistently double teamed Watt, and I expect the Bengals to do so as well.

The pass rush is not what it was last season or earlier in the season.

Isn't Houston like #1 or #2 in sacks? Who were we tied for in sacks going into the final game of the season? If it was them, I am still concerned, especially with a guy that 20.5 sacks on the season and our OL has been burnt by fast athletic pass rush specialists. Our tackles are too fat and slow to keep up iwht that kind of speed all game long which will force turnovers.

 

[DanBengalfan]

well, when the locals are discouraged, that's always a good sign for us.

 

[cincygrad]

well, when the locals are discouraged, that's always a good sign for us.

There's no cure like the Bengals. Houston will probably whip us and all of their fans will be right back on board with their Super Bowl plans. Then they'll get their asses handed to them in New England the next week.

 

[powerchord86]

Houston is overrated.

 

[JBUCK66]

it will be ugly. win or lose

 

[jwil007]

Im nervous honestly....Arian made us look like high schoolers last year...Andre double MOVED Pacman so bad I was embarrassed....Watt picked off Andy like he took a blocked shot down the court for a 360....Bengals need to SHOW ME bigtime!

 

[bengaldoug]

I do think we'll have more success with Foster this time, but AJohnson scares the shit outta me. Pacman showed us in the Stiller game he's still very susceptible to the double move, and even though he remembers what Andre did to him last year it wouldn't surprise me to see it happen again. Watt is a superhuman beast who may line up over anyone at any time. Double him, and roll Dalton away from whatever side he is on.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I do think we'll have more success with Foster this time, but AJohnson scares the shit outta me. Pacman showed us in the Stiller game he's still very susceptible to the double move, and even though he remembers what Andre did to him last year it wouldn't surprise me to see it happen again. Watt is a superhuman beast who may line up over anyone at any time. Double him, and roll Dalton away from whatever side he is on.

Gonna have to almost double Johnson with Hall and Nelson, and cover the TE with Lawson and over the top help.

Take those two guys out, and focus on Foster and we can stop their offense most of the game, probably not completely, but most.

 

[Tubbs1518]

Isn't Houston like #1 or #2 in sacks? Who were we tied for in sacks going into the final game of the season? If it was them, I am still concerned, especially with a guy that 20.5 sacks on the season and our OL has been burnt by fast athletic pass rush specialists. Our tackles are too fat and slow to keep up iwht that kind of speed all game long which will force turnovers.

Watt is a great player, but he isn't a speed demon on the edge. He isn't slow but he isn't like what the Eagles have on the edge in terms of speed. I think Smith and either a RB chipping him or a TE can limit the damage Watt does.

 

[Tubbs1518]

Gonna have to almost double Johnson with Hall and Nelson, and cover the TE with Lawson and over the top help.

Take those two guys out, and focus on Foster and we can stop their offense most of the game, probably not completely, but most.

I don't think you put Hall on Johnson. Put Jones on him, he has been playing well lately. Put Hall on Daniels IMO.