(6-2) Cincinnati Bengals 17
(4-4) Baltimore Ravens 7

So the Bengals are 4-0 in their division. Who saw that coming? Joe Flacco was less than his usual efficient self while Carson Palmer aired it out enough to win. The real difference maker was the running game. Baltimore’s Ray Rice only carried the ball 12 times for 48 yards while Cedric Benson garnered 117 yards on 34 carries. Benson definitely grinded it out, but he’s had two 100+ yard rushing days against the Ravens defense. That can’t be ignored. Also hard to miss is that Bengals defense. Yikes.

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 9"

(6-2) Cincinnati Bengals 17
(4-4) Baltimore Ravens 7

So the Bengals are 4-0 in their division. Who saw that coming? Joe Flacco was less than his usual efficient self while Carson Palmer aired it out enough to win. The real difference maker was the running game. Baltimore’s Ray Rice only carried the ball 12 times for 48 yards while Cedric Benson garnered 117 yards on 34 carries. Benson definitely grinded it out, but he’s had two 100+ yard rushing days against the Ravens defense. That can’t be ignored. Also hard to miss is that Bengals defense. Yikes.

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 9"

-Lovie Smith’s cover two defense is overrated and doesn’t work with the personnel on this team. His defensive scheme requires the four defensive linemen to get pressure on their own, which hasn’t been happening during Smith’s tenure. Without that consistent pressure opposing quarterbacks will be able find receivers in the open parts of the field. What good is a defensive scheme if EVERYONE knows how precisely to attack it week in and week out? Taking over the defensive play-calling isn’t working out exactly as Smith had planned. Scrap the cover two, or at least stop depending on it so much. It simply isn’t working. 

Continue reading "What I learned from Chicagos blowout loss to Cincinnati"

At 3-2, my Chicago Bears are in better shape than I would have predicted going into the season. That being said, I’ll still be upset if they lose in Cincinnati Sunday afternoon. Despite holding a lead in the AFC North, the Bengals are a beatable team. Let’s get right down to it in my Gameday Preview! 

On defense, the Bears will be without defensive tackle Tommie Harris, who will likely be inactive with a knee injury. Yes, that same knee injury he’s been bothered by for years. Ever since Harris signed that contract extension, he’s failed to be healthy enough to earn his money. Second year player Marcus Harrison will either slide over to Harris’ spot with Anthony Adams at NT or see more time in the nose tackle slot himself. Further along the defensive line, we should see the debut of Gaines Adams, for whom the Bears recently traded a second-round pick to the Buccaneers. It’s still unclear how much Adams will play, but any contribution will be a welcome one. 

Continue reading "Joes Gameday Preview Bears at Bengals"

(3-3) Houston Texans 28
(4-2) Cincinnati Bengals 17 

Every once in a while, Houston goes ballistic and puts up mega-points. Matt Schaub once again proves he’s a fantastic fantasy QB… five games a season. The Bengals aren’t an elite team, so you had to expect a letdown eventually after winning four straight. Now they dropped back with Pittsburgh, who are also 4-2, but technically behind since the Bengals beat them head-to-head.  

(6-0) Minnesota Vikings 33
(3-3) Baltimore Ravens 31 

Why won’t anyone beat the Vikings?! Steven Hauschka’s missed 44-yard field goal keeps the legend of Brett Favre in Minnesota going strong for another week. Who thought that the Baltimore defense would be the team’s weakness this season? They don’t deserve to be called “good” with the amount of points they’re allowing. Take that Ray Lewis.

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 6"

Fast forward to the 4th quarter and the Cowboys were deadlocked with the Chiefs at 13-13.  After coming up with a pivotal stop, the Cowboys had an opportunity to finally put away a team they should’ve beaten in the 1st quarter.  At this juncture, Miles Austin made the first big play in what would be the making of the legend of Miles Austin.  He caught the ball on a slant route, broke a couple of tackles and scampered 59 yards for what

Continue reading "250 Miles between Austin Kansas City"

(1-4) Cleveland Browns 6
(1-4) Buffalo Bills 3 

Ugliest. Game. Ever. Derek Anderson goes 2 for 13 in a WIN. Mangini should have stuck with Brady Quinn. In Buffalo, things could be even worse after signing T.O. in the offseason. Dick Jauron will lose his job during this season. You can almost lock it in. 

(3-2) Dallas Cowboys 26
(0-5) Kansas City Chiefs 20 

Wade Philips needs to thank Tony Romo and Miles Austin for saving his job. Austin’s 10 catches for 250 yards was a Cowboy franchise record and could not have come at a more significant moment with Roy Williams on the bench. While winless, Kansas City is at least keeping things close. 

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With some downright horrendous match-ups this weekend, this edition of the Opening Drive is shorter than usual. Just writing about Cleveland versus Buffalo would put me to sleep. Let’s get things going with the most anticipated games of week four! 

Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) at Baltimore Ravens (3-1) 

While it’s way too early for the winner of this game to be named AFC North champion, it will give one team a sizeable advantage. If the Bengals can pull off the victory, there will be no questions as to their legitimacy. Unfortunately, they’re facing a Ravens squad that is fuming after their loss to the Patriots last week. Ray Lewis and that swarming defense will try to make a statement at the expense of their division rival. 

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Here are some of my astute observations from the Cowboys’ Monday night victory against the Panthers:

     1. The Cowboys played a very gritty game.

They actually “out-toughed” the Panthers, which hasn’t happened since week 3 of last season against Green Bay.  Despite giving up a few plays in the passing game, the defense shut down a vaunted Carolina rushing attack and managed to keep DeAngelo Williams out of the endzone.  The offense managed to pound the rock at Carolina’s undersized front seven and take advantage of their depth at the running back position (Felix Jones and Tashard choice managed over 80 yards rushing a piece).  More importantly, Tony Romo showed toughness and focus, and did not make the critical mistake that could have swung this game in Carolina’s favor.

Continue reading "Tuesday Evening Hangover Dallas Cowboys reveiw and other NFL news"

(2-0) Atlanta Falcons       28
(0-2) Carolina Panthers   20

That Matt Ryan kid’s pretty good. Atlanta’s acquisition of Tony Gonzalez could be the most underrated move of the offseason. For Carolina, Jake Delhomme only tossed one interception. I’d call that an improvement.

(1-1) Cincinnati Bengals   31
(1-1) Green Bay Packers   24

HA! That’s just embarrassing for Green Bay fans. You take down your division rival in week one just to fall to the lowly Bengals the next week. Carson Palmer hasn’t been himself for a few years; maybe this is the season he can get back on track as being one of the best QB’s in football.

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 2"