Week 16: Bengals v Vikings - Position By Position Breakdown

Quarterback:

One overlooked aspect of Sunday’s night’s debacle is that Andy Dalton had a good game. 230 yards, 2 TDs, 0 turnovers, 1 sack and a 86.4 rating in frigid windy temperatures in a hostile environment. While Dalton is clearly a better quarter back than Matt Cassel, the 2013 version of Cassel is not the 2013 version. In his last 3 games as a starter, Cassel has 890 yards, 5 passing TDs, 1 running TD and just 1 INT. In 9 starts last year, Cassel had a total of 6 TDs, 12 INTs and 6 fumbles. It should be noted that Cassel is coming off possibly his best game as a pro (26/35, 382 yds, 2 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD, 1 INT and a 116.6 rating). A banged up Bengals secondary should be concerned that a stagnant Vikings passing attack has suddenly awoken. But, be that as it may, Dalton is still the better QB.

Advantage: Bengals

	Bengals	Steelers
QB	ü
OL	ü
RB	ü
WR	ü
TE	ü
DL	ü
LB	ü
CB	PUSH	PUSH
S	ü
K		ü
Coach	ü
Overall	ü

 

Offensive Line:

After two impressive weeks, the Bengals O-Line took a step back last week and now Whitworth is questionable with a concussion. However, I would be surprised if Whitworth misses the game and the Bengals line has surrendered just 1 sack in the last 4 games. The Vikings have surrendered 8 sacks in their last 3 games and though they have the best RB in the NFL, the Vikings average just 16.4 ypg more in the running game than the Bengals and have averaged just 99.5 ypg over the last two.

Advantage: Bengals

 

Running Backs:

 Make no mistake, Adrian Peterson is the best back in this game and likely the best RB in the NFL, however, he is not fully healthy (groin and foot) and his backup is less than impressive (and also not fully health). Because of their health and work as a group, the Bengals RBs get the nod here. 1) they are both healthy, 2) as a group, they are more versatile than the Vikings RBs and 3) The Vikings running game has been struggling the last 2 games.

Advantage: Bengals

 

Wide Receivers:

With Greg Jennings, Jerome Simpson and Cordarelle Patterson, the Vikings have talented and dangerous receivers and Jennings is coming off an amazing day at the office (11 rec 163 yds 1 TD). Unfortunately for the Vikings (and Vikings fans), that is the first good day for any Minnesota WR all year long. Going into the game, Jennings had just 48 receptions and 570 yards on the entire season. In fact, the Vikings top 3 receivers (Jennings, Simpson and Patterson) have combined for 8 TDs on the year. Green and Jones have at least 8 by themselves (8 and 9 respectively).

Advantage: Bengals

 

Tight Ends:

Like the Bengals, the Vikings have two quality tight ends. Kyle Rudolph is more well-known and has more TDs than John Carlson, but Carlson has been more productive and has more receptions (32-30) and yards (344-313). Unfortunately for the Vikings, Carlson is doubtful with a concussion. It looks like Gresham will be able to go (not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing), and if he does, that gives the Bengals their tight end duo that has accounted for 81 receptions, 851 yards and 5 TDs and should cause mismatches in the Vikings secondary.

Advantage: Bengals

 

Defensive Line:

The Vikings have a D-Line that can pressure the quarter back and feature two defensive ends with 9 sacks each (Allen and Robison). Collins and Smith will have their hands full with these two and may require some help on the edge from Gresham and the running backs. However, despite the big numbers from the ends, the Vikings only rank 17^th with 34 sacks and are a putrid 30^th against the pass. While the Bengals do not have the individual numbers along the line that the Vikings do, they are effective as a group and can bring pressure with every lineman on their roster.  Despite only 1 sack in their last 2 games, with the game being in Cincy and facing a line that has surrendered 37 sacks on the season, the Bengals ought to be able to get pressure on Cassel.

Advantage: Bengals

 

Linebackers:

The Vikings feature a quality line backer (Erin Henderson) in the middle and Chad Greenway is a stud (121 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 INTs) on the outside. However, the Vikings still rank just 20^th against the run and 30^th against the pass. The Bengals have had a very solid performance from their line backers in 2013, lead by Burfict and his league leading 151 tackles. The Bengals line backers will play an important role in keeping Peterson in check, but as a group, the Bengals have the advantage.

Advantage: Bengals

 

Cornerbacks:

The Vikings will have their hands full with the Bengals receivers and will be without their most talented corner, 2013 first round pick Xavier Rhodes. Without Rhodes, the Bengals are likely to see some of their former 5^th round pick, Shaun Prater. Advantage: Bengals. Unfortunately, with Newman still out, the Vikings will get the opportunity to get Jennings, Simpson or Patterson on Dre Kirkpatrick. Advantage: Vikings. Both secondarys should be overwhelmed by their opponents wide receivers, therefore, we have a push.  

Advantage: Push

 

Safeties:

With Reggie Nelson and George Iloka both healthy and having good seasons as part of the Bengals 7^th ranked passing defense, the Bengals have a big advantage over the Vikings at the Safety position. The Vikings feature second year safety Harrison Smith out of Notre Dame and 5^th year player Jamarca Sanford – both of which will be overwhelmed in trying to cover the Bengals TEs or WRs.

Advantage: Bengals

 

Kicker:

As is the case in most matchups, when your kicker is just 16/20 (80%) and ranked 23^rd, the opponent has the advantage at the kicker position. The Vikings are no different. Though Blair Walsh is 26/30 and ranked just 4 spots ahead of Nugent (19^th), 3 of his 4 misses are from 50+ yards.

Advantage: Vikings

 

Coach:

Leslie Frazier was Lewis’s first defensive coordinator and also his first canned defensive coordinator, so I would think Frazier has some extra incentive to beat Lewis. However, in 3.5 seasons, Frazier is just 20-32-1, despite having the best running back in football and will likely find himself on one of many hot seats at the conclusion of the 2013 season. Outside of the improbable 10-6 wild card run last year (compliments of the 2^nd best rushing season in the history of the NFL), Frazier is just 10-25. While Lewis has been more than frustrating to Bengals fans, he is still 88-84-1 with 4 playoff appearances.

Advantage: Bengals