Game Thread: Game 3: Bengals vs. Panthers

[cincygrad]

Big road test here for the Bengals. Out of conference opponent on the road. The opponent is a perennial playoff contender. Lots of talent on both sides of the ball for the Panthers, but they also have lots of injuries and several question marks. It's basically a low-stakes game for the Bengals - It's out of conference and on the road. That said, a win here could indicate that 2018 is going to be a special year for the Bengals.

I expect to see injuries catch up to us in this game. I think the line will struggle much more than they did in the first two games and we will not get as much of a run game as we should against a team that really struggled to defend last week. On D, I think we struggle with Cam's improv and McCaffery's all-around talent.

Panthers 24, Bengals 16.

 

[Ickey Shuffle]

Yeah this is a bad match-up. Scrambling QB plus a dynamic pass catching RB = Double kryptonite.

If the Bengals win this one, then it might really be our year.

 

[kramer1]

Spoiler Alert: It’s not our year

 

[CrashDavisSports]

You have Cam who is the RB, and you have McCaffery who is the WR out of the backfield.

Make Cam beat you throwing to guys not named McCaffery. Stick 8 in the box, cover man on the outside and put Evans on McCaffery, and Vigil on Newton while blitzing 50% of the downs. Honestly, I think this is a game that Carl Lawson has to take over. I think he need to be on the field for more than 3rd down. His rare speed from the end can put Cam at a disadvantage both running the ball and passing the ball.

(Do the defensive line rotation but 75% of the snaps should be these 4 on Sunday)
Dunlap
Atkins
Billings
Lawson

Vigil (eye on Newton running)
Evans (shadow of McCaffery)
(Assuming Brown is going to be injured - go nickle)

Williams (in the box safety with an eye on the TE)
Bates
Kirkpatrick
Jackson
Dennard

Lots of damn speed on the defensive side of the ball there.


It is going to be a tough matchup, especially on the road against an opponent we just don't see much. However, I think this is winnable as I don't see Carolina as an elite team, just a middle of the road team like us, where any outcome is possible.

 

[DanBengalfan]

I'd say if they win this, they are over due for a loss. maybe Mixon being hurt will be their excuse.

 

[jbuck]

here we go TO before a punt at 3 rd and 17

 

[jbuck]

brilliant

 

[jbuck]

secondary doing anything?

 

[Cincyfan78]

2 big issues on defense:

Way too reactionary. Bring the pressure to fill the running gaps. By the time they are reading the play, it's by them. Just shoot the gaps and live with the result.

Someone tell Dre Kirkpatrick that on 3rd and 7, he should not be lining up 12 yards off the ball. Continually giving up way too much cushion.

Offensively, things are going OK. Need more from the run game, but overall not bad.

 

[Be Weary of Query]

Stick a fork in ‘em. Not our day.

 

[Ickey Shuffle]

John Ross sucks. That much is true.

 

[DanBengalfan]

The Bengals suck again, all is right with the world.

 

[cincygrad]

What happened to the D-line? I didn't see the game, but it seems that the Panthers must have controlled the line to move the ball up and down the field like they did.

 

[Ickey Shuffle]

What happened to the D-line? I didn't see the game, but it seems that the Panthers must have controlled the line to move the ball up and down the field like they did.

The dual running threat of Cam and McCaffrey had them shook all game. They just got gashed.

This was probably the worst match-up we're gonna see all year besides the Chiefs and the Steelers + refs combo.

Not really feeling this loss too much. Onto the next one.

 

[Ickey Shuffle]

Green and Mixon probably won't play next week. Might have to mark that down as a loss right now. Better match-up though. We'll see.

 

[cincygrad]

The dual running threat of Cam and McCaffrey had them shook all game. They just got gashed.

This was probably the worst match-up we're gonna see all year besides the Chiefs and the Steelers + refs combo.

Not really feeling this loss too much. Onto the next one.

Meh.... The Carolina offense is not that good. I hear what you are saying about Cam and McCaffrey - Both special players. But they were also only good for 19th overall in offense last year. This D was also giving up chunk plays to Flacco and company last week.

 

[futballiscool]

The division is going to be a dogfight...

Looks like all 4 teams can finish in any order.

 

[cincygrad]

The division is going to be a dogfight...

Looks like all 4 teams can finish in any order.

Agreed.... And I think it might be ugly. Winner will be 9-7 or 10-6.

 

[futballiscool]

Agreed.... And I think it might be ugly. Winner will be 9-7 or 10-6.

Yeah, I think 9 or so wins does it and the divisional games are going to be huge.

 

[jgreene95]

Make it stop.