MNF: Bengals Perspective

Players to Watch

WR Chad Ochocinco- He has been playing the role of Robin in the Steelers pass attack, allowing T.O. to amass some of his best statistics of his career. Many people thought T.O. was finished, but now he is a consistent target for Palmer in the red zone. With T.O. getting much of the attention from the Steelers secondary, look for #85 to see single coverage and big opportunities.

CB Leon Hall- Just like DeAngelo, this Hall has been a ball-hawk for the Bengals this year. Roethlisberger has shown very little rust, so the Bengals are going to need turnovers if they want to stop the Steeler’s offense. Hall has been challenged by opposing quarterbacks all year but is making them pay, and he will need to continue to do so tonight.

RB Cedric Benson- He isn’t producing at the same pace he was last season, partially because the Bengals have been down early and forced to abandon the run. He is going up against a the #1 run defense in the NFL, but Cincinnati desperately needs some production out of him in order to control the clock and tempo of the game. Look for the Bengals to get creative with their run offense and for Benson to try to help keep the Steelers' linebackers honest.

Key Matchup: Bengals Defensive Line vs. Ben Roethlisberger- Big Ben is not the fastest Qb and takes his fair share of sacks. In the loss to New Orleans, Roethlisberger was sacked 3 times and hit 7 times, and was forced to throw a lot of short passes. If the Bengals defensive line can get a solid pass rush on Roethlisberger, it will help their suspect defense tremendously. The Bengals do not have a great run defense, so they will need to make up for that in other ways. By putting the Steelers in 2^nd or 3^rd and longs after incompletions or sacks, Pittsburg will be forced to move away from the run.

Why the Bengals Will Win- The Bengals are still in the AFC North race, but a loss here would eliminate almost all hope. The Bengals play some of their best football when there are low expectations, and with this being a divisional game, they should have no problem being amped up. I think Palmer shows some of his past ability in this game and torches the Steelers’ secondary. The game will be high scoring, but thanks to turnovers, the Bengals defense will be able to stop the Steelers just enough to pull out a victory.

Prediction: Bengals 28, Steelers 24

MNF: Steelers Perspective

Players to Watch

WR Mike Wallace - Averaging an NFL best 23.4 yards per catch, it is safe to say that Wallace is a home run hitter. Wallace is unbelievably fast and looks similar to WR DeSean Jackson. The 6'0" 199 lbs. receiver will be matched up against two great corners tonight, so his play making ability will really be tested.

RB Rashard Mendenhall - Look for Mendenhall to have a big game against a Bengals defense that is allowing 4.5 yards per carry. Mendenhall has struggled of late, but he should be able to take advantage of the banged up defense of the Bengals.

Lawrence Timmons - On a team filled with big name players on defense like James Harrison, Troy Polamalu,and LaMarr Woodley, Timmons is the forgotten man. In his third season, Timmons has really turned it on leading the team in tackles, and adding 3 sacks and an interception. Look for Timmons to continue to make plays tonight.

Key Matchup: Steelers Secondary vs Bengals Receiving Core - The one area that the Steelers are weak, is their pass defense which ranks 25th in the NFL. The Bengals biggest strength is the amount of weapons in their passing game. The one reason Steelers can come out on top of this match-up, however, is because of QB Carson Palmer. Palmer has been pretty bad this year. He has thrown some costly interceptions and has struggled on third downs (49 percent completion rate, 431 yards, 62 rating - Bill Simmons). With the Steelers ability to stuff the run, Palmer should be faced with a lot of third and longs, which is exactly what Troy Polamalu and the Steelers defense, which already has 10 interceptions, wants to see.

Why the Steelers Will Win: Ben Roethlisberger will have time to find the right guy. Roethlisberger is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL at buying time going through multiple reads and finding the right receiver. The Bengals this year have had a very hard time of getting after the opposing teams quarterback (last in the NFL with 6 sacks), so Roethlisberger should have plenty of time to sit back and do what he does best. Roethlisberger with time + Mendenhall + defense creating havoc = easy win for the Steelers.

Prediction: Steelers 31 Bengals 13

AFC North Quarter Review

Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

On paper the Ravens still look like super bowl favorites to me. They have a top rated defense, and are going to get even better with the return of Pro-Bowl safety Ed Reed. Their offense has surprisingly started off slow, but Flacco seems to be getting more comfortable with the new faces on offense and things look like they are starting to click in the passing game. The key for the Ravens will be to get RB Ray Rice going. Rice averaged 5.3 YPC last year to go along with 78 receptions. This year the rushing attack looks pretty weak. If the Ravens can get Rice back to last years form, it is hard to imagine any team that can compete with them.

Surprise Players: Anquan Boldin, Dawan Landry, Haloti Ngata

Pittsburg Steelers (3-1)

As a Steelers fan you have to be very happy about how the season is going. The Steelers played four pretty tough opponents without their starting QB, and two of them with their third sting QB, yet they are sitting at 3-1. The Steelers have a great rushing attack with RB Rashard Mendenhall and the number one rated defense in the league. The only weakness is their passing attack which ranks 31^st in the NFL. With former Super Bowl MVP QB Ben Roethlisberger under center, it won’t take long for the Steelers to start passing the ball effectively.

Surprise Players: Rashard Mendenhall, Mike Wallace, Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley

Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

The reigning division champs are currently sitting third and looking up at two very talented teams ahead of them. In their two losses the Bengals got down early and were forced to play catch-up. What made the Bengals such a good team last year was their ability to run the ball effectively. This year RB Cedric Benson has only averaged 3.3 YPC, and has forced the Bengals to be pretty one dimensional on offense. QB Carson Palmer has passed almost 40 times per game so far. The Bengals really need Benson, and Palmer to step it up the rest of the way if they want to win.

Surprise Players: Terrell Owens, Leon Hall, Dhani Jones

Cleveland Browns (1-3)

Coming into the season, I thought the Browns were one of the worst teams in the NFL. I think they have turned some heads with the way they are playing. Usually the best word to describe the Browns is sloppy, but so far they have played some tough physical games, and they are giving some talented teams a run for their money. Even though the Browns are in a very tough division, I could see them winning 6-7 wins this season based on how they are playing right now.

Surprise Players: Peyton Hillis, Seneca Wallace, Ben Watson, TJ Ward, Scott Fuijita

Prediction: I still like the Ravens to win the division; they are 3-1 and have yet to play their best football. The Steelers could be a dangerous team with the return of QB Ben Roethlisberger, at worst they should win the wild card.

Cincinnati Bengals 2010 Preview and Prediction

Last Years Record 10-6

Wins: Packers, Steelers (2x), Browns (2x), Ravens (2x), Bears, Lions, Chiefs

Losses: Broncos, Texans, Raiders, Vikings, Chargers, Jets

Biggest Playmaker Chad Ochocinco

WR, Oregon St., Drafted #36, 10^th year

After a disappointing year in 2008, Ochocinco got back to his usual form with 1000+ yards and 9 TDs in 2009. He was the only major threat on his team last year, and now that the Bengals have restocked on offense look for him to have an even better year.

Impact Player Carson Palmer

QB, USC, Drafted #1, 8^th year

Palmer has always had the talent to be a top 5 QB in the NFL, but injuries and lack of overall talent on his team have slowed him down. This year may be the year where we see the full potential of Palmer. He has some weapons now at receiver with the addition of T.O., Jermaine Gresham, and Antonio Bryant. I really think Palmer can have a break out year.

Biggest Free Agent Additions Antonio Bryant & Terrell Owens

WR, Pittsburg, Drafted #63, 8^th year & WR, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Drafted # 89, 15^th year

There was a severe lack of depth behind Chad Ochocinco last year and it was evident in the Bengals playoff loss to the Jets. Ochocinco got shut down by Revis Island and there were no other weapons for Carson Palmer to throw to. Adding Bryant and Owens should solve that problem for this year.

Biggest Offseason Loss Laveranues Coles

WR, Florida St., Drafted #78 , 11^th year

The Bengals did not have too many big off-season losses this year. Although Coles only contributed 514 yards, he would be a good back up to Antonio Bryant who has been nursing a knee injury.

Biggest Draft Steal Carlos Dunlap

DE, Florida, Drafted # 54, Rookie

Dunlap is a guy that has top 10 talent, so getting him 54^th overall is obviously a huge steal. The biggest question mark was his motor on the field, and his character off of it. At times Dunlap could be a complete monster and then he would disappear at other times. If the Bengals, who believe strongly in giving guys second chances, can harness Dunlap’s raw talent and take care of his off the field issues, then this would be considered a huge steal.

Biggest Draft Reach None

You could argue that Jermaine Gresham, who did not play one snap, last year because of knee injuries, was a reach, but Gresham should be healthy now. He is a guy that could be a force in the league and end up being a big time rookie.

Offseason Grade A-

I think they had an excellent off-season, they acquired some guys that can step in right away and make plays. They got some players through the draft that could be studs in a few years.

X-Factor Carson Palmer

QB, USC, Drafted #1, 8^th year

I think if Palmer has a good year then the Bengal’s will be a very scary playoff team.

Name You Should Know Cedric Benson

RB, Texas, Drafted #4, 6^th year

The former 4^th overall pick was once considered a bust, but had a break out year last year rushing for over 1000+ yards in a season for the first time. It will be interesting to see if Benson can have another good year for the Bengals

Rising Star Bengals' Corners

Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall are one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL and are both young guys that can only get better.

Offensive Outlook B+

The Bengal’s added a lot of talent on offense which was the one place that they struggled last year. One guy that I really like that they drafted was WR Jordan Shipley, a guy that may not jump out to anyone at the combine, but runs great routes and knows how to get open.

Defensive Outlook B+

They were a very strong defensive team last year and their defense is still very young. There is no name that jumps out at you on the Bengal’s depth chart, but they have some very good young players that should start getting a little more recognition this year.

Special Teams Outlook C-

Special teams do not look great for the Bengals as Quan Crosby and Andre Cadwell are not going to make opposing coaches lose sleep at night returning kicks and punts. Right now there is a competition between K Dave Rayner and K Mike Nugent and both do not have an amazing track record. P Kevin Huber is solid.

Projected 2010 Record 11-5

The Bengal’s are a team that could really shock a lot of people this year. I think they did an excellent job through free agency and the draft and acquired some good pieces. The biggest question is with all the ego’s and character issues on their team; can they really keep it together and make a run this year?

Terrell Owens: Bengals Preview

For real this time.  One year, $2 million deal with another $2 million in incentives.  Will TO earn these incentives?  Who knows, but it bodes well that he has been working out with Carson Palmer all summer, and who knows how his friendship with Chad Ochocinco will be a factor.

Can we get the TV Show Hard Knocks back in Cincinnati, please!?

Check out an ESPN Blog on why this move will be good for the Bengals

Prediction: As long as the Bengals continue their success of last year, this "experiment" should work out.  I have to imagine both Owens and Ochocinco know that they will be splitting catches and the limelight and will do their best to make it work, especially considering they are good friends.  Expect to see Terrell Owens' production improve from last year with Carson Palmer throwing to him, but not quite back to his prime.


70 Catches
1100 Yards
8 Touchdowns

Terrell Owens to the Rams?

Bengals?  Right now, it looks like it will be one of the two.  The Rams certainly have a pressing need at WR, and no one would be happier about a TO signing than Rookie QB Sam Bradford.  The Rams currently have Donnie Avery (47 catches in '09) and Keenan Burton (25 catches) as their top two receivers, and the addition of a veteran like Terrell Owens would bolster their passing attack and help Bradford develop, but does TO want to join an offense that ranked 32nd in scoring with just over 10 points a game last year?  Do the Bengals really need another problem child wide receiver?  I can't imagine TO and Ochocinco getting along and splitting touches... It would just hurt their egos too much.

Prediction:  Terrell Owens signs with the Rams by tomorrow afternoon.  This is where he can be a feature WR and get more catches for himself.


Update: The Rams have decided against pursuing Terrell Owens.  Looks like he may end up with the Bengals, who seemingly have offered him a deal.  Even though he would potentially be a #2 receiver, this may be where TO ends up, as he has not drawn much interest this offseason after hauling in only 55 passes last year.