I hate preseason football. You cannot get a feel for how a
team played in a preseason game. Therefore, I hated Sunday’s game, because that
was a 5th preseason game for both teams. Since the teams put little
effort into the game, I am going to put little effort in analyzing it because
very little can be gauged from a game like that.
What I Did Like:
Getting the Win
Baltimore was not trying, but a win is a win, and 10-6 looks
and feels a lot better than 9-7, much like a 3-3 division record feels much
better than a 2-4 record. Also, Dalton has now beaten both Pittsburgh and
Baltimore, so we can stop hearing about how he has never beaten those teams.
Carlos Dunlap/Michael Johnson/Wallace Gilberry
Dunlap is a stud. He picked up his 6th sack of
the year and his pick 6 was one of the most athletic plays you will see by a DE
in the NFL (reminiscent of JJ Watt’s pick 6 against the Bengals in the 2011
playoffs).
Michael Johnson is also a stud. Picking up 2 more sacks,
giving him 11.5 on the year, and giving the Bengals 2 players with double digit
sacks (Atkins 12.5).
Wallace Gilberry has to be one of the best mid season
pickups in all of the NFL. As a backup, he ends the season with 6.5 sacks, 1
forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries. That type of production from a starter,
let alone a rotational guy, is tough to duplicate.
No Major Injuries
The biggest concern prior to a playoff game is injuries.
Especially when the game means nothing. Sunday meant nothing for the Bengals
and they were able to escape without any major injuries.
The Game Ending
Few things intrigue me less than a meaningless matchup
between Tyrod Taylor and Bruce Gradkowski. The ending of that game couldn’t
come quick enough.
What I Did Not Like:
The Game Itself
The Bengals had nothing to play for, and not to make excuses
for their poor play, but it is hard for a team to play inspired in a
meaningless game. Baltimore could potentially improve to the 3 seed, but it was
clear from the start that they had no interest in playing for it. Ed Reed, Ray
Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Nata sat for the whole game. Joe Flacco, Ray
Rice, Torrey Smith basically sat the whole game. The Bengals played Bruce
Gradkowski for about half the game. That adds up to a terribly unentertaining
game.
The Run Game
I know BJGE was out, but 47 yards against the 24th
ranked run defense is a little concerning, especially when you figure the 4
best players on that 24th ranked run defense did not even play! So,
am I concerned? Yes. Am I panicking? No. With the game meaning nothing and the
possibility that the 2 teams could see each other in the first round, I believe
the Bengals were running very basic packages on offense and defense….at least I
hope so.
The Run Defense
The Bengals gave up 206 yards to the Ravens and Ray Rice
accounted for only 5 of those yards. That is not good. Again, am I concerned?
Yes. Am I panicking? No. The Bengals won 7 of their last 8 playing very good
run defense in that stretch, so their track record says this was a blip on the
radar and more a circumstance of the game. Let’s hope so, because Houston has
Arian Foster and Brandon Tate.
The Ravens Dominating the Game with Backups
Say it with me again, ‘the game meant nothing,’ however, it
is a bit concerning that the Bengals were dominated at home in every category
(but the score) by the Ravens backups. Offensive yards: 352-189; Time of
possession: 35:39-24:21; etc. Hopefully this was more of a product of the
Bengals not wanting to tip their hand in a meaningless game.
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