CINCINNATI BENGALS One Paul Brown Stadium Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 621-3550 administrative offices

CINCINNATI BENGALS
One Paul Brown Stadium
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(513) 621-3550 administrative offices
(513) 621-3570 administrative fax
(513) 621-TDTD (8383) ticket office
www.bengals.com
WEEKLY NEWS RELEASE
CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-3-1)
AT
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (4-5-0)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Eastern.
NOV. 11, 2014
WEEK 11, GAME 10
SUNDAY, NOV. 16
AT MERCEDES-BENZ SUPERDOME
UP NEXT: WEEK 12, GAME 11
NOV. 23 AT HOUSTON
GAME NOTES
Television: CBS broadcast with Greg Gumbel (play-by-play), Trent
Green (analyst) and Evan Washburn (sideline reporter). The game will air in the
Bengals home market on WKRC-TV (Channel 12) in Cincinnati, WHIO-TV
(Channel 7) in Dayton and WKYT-TV (Channel 27) in Lexington, Ky.
Radio: Coverage on the Bengals Radio Network, led by a “triple cast” on
Cincinnati flagship stations WLW-AM (700), WCKY-AM (ESPN 1530; all sports)
and WEBN-FM (102.7). Broadcasters are Dan Hoard (play-by-play) and Dave
Lapham (analyst). The game also will be aired to a national audience on affiliates
of Sports USA Media. Broadcasters are Larry Kahn (play-by-play), Doug Plank
(analyst) and Troy West (sideline reporter).
Setting the scene: Two games over .500, and part of the tightest
and toughest division race in the NFL. For most teams, it would be a cause of
some satisfaction.
But the Bengals are not happy at 5-3-1 and a half-game out of the AFC
North lead. Leaders in the division for most of this season, they were knocked a
half-game back last week, thumped 24-3 at home by North rival Cleveland.
“When we won our first three, we thought we were a pretty good team,” said
CB Terence Newman. “Now we have to face up to the fact that as things stand
now, we’re not as good as we thought we were. To get outplayed at home like
we did ... We just have to put this behind us and know we can be a much better
team than we were against the Browns.”
Playing before a national audience on Thursday Night Football, the Browns
snagged an interception on the Bengals’ game-opening possession, and the
offense responded with a quick 18-yard TD drive. The Bengals closed the gap to
7-3 by quarter’s end and had one chance to drive for a lead, but could not get
beyond their 34. The Browns went up 17-3 by halftime, and Cleveland spent
most of the second half trying to kill the clock against a Bengals offense that
would muster only 165 net yards for the game.
But with a win at New Orleans this week, Cincinnati could be back in first.
“There’s still a lot of football ahead,” said head coach Marvin Lewis. “It’s a
seven-game season ahead of us now. If we take care of business internally,
everything will be fine. We lick our wounds and come out and do better.
“But we have to learn from this,” Lewis continued. “We paid a dear price,
with a loss in a division game at home. In every way we did not do what we
needed to do. And starting with me, nobody in here can say. ‘It wasn’t me’ and
then go have a little pity party. No one is above it. It’s all of us.”
QB Andy Dalton will be ready to lead by example on that. Asked “who should
get the blame” for the Cleveland loss, Dalton said:
“I should, and I deserve it. It all starts with me. It all goes through the
quarterback. I’ve got to play better to put our team in a position to win.”
But Lewis’ “all of us” comment is more on target. The Bengals have been
subpar statistically in almost every respect, ranking 20th in the NFL on offense
but 30th on defense. What the team retains, however, is a veteran core from
three straight playoff teams and the knowledge that they’ve climbed out of much
tougher spots than this one in the past.
“All of us have to make a commitment this week to look honestly at our
performance and own that it has to be much better,” said OT Andrew Whitworth.
“But we’re still a confident team. We have reason to be. Now it’s time to back
that up for our fans. It had been a long time since we lost at home (14 straight
games in regular season), but we let our fans down last week.”
New Orleans lost in overtime to visiting San Francisco last week after
winning two straight, by margins of 21 and 18 points. Though their record (4-5) is
inferior to Cincinnati’s, the Saints lead the NFC South Division over Carolina
(3-6-1) and Atlanta (3-6). The Saints boast the NFL’s second-ranked offense
(435.0 yards per game), and it’s a balanced attack, ranked sixth in rushing
(130.2) and third in passing (304.8). But the Saints rank 28th in turnover
differential, a minus-eight. The Bengals dipped to even in turnover differential
after going minus-three against Cleveland.
The series: The Saints halted a three-game losing streak to the
Bengals in the teams’ last meeting, prevailing 34-30 at Paul Brown Stadium. The
result lifted New Orleans to a 6-6 tie with Cincinnati in the all-time series.
The road team has done well in the series. The Bengals lead 3-2 in New
Orleans, and the Saints lead 4-3 in Cincinnati.
The most recent Bengals win was a 31-16 decision in 2006 at New Orleans.
A complete listing of past Bengals-Saints results can be found on page 211
of the Bengals’ 2014 Media Guide.
Team bests from the series:
Bengals — MOST POINTS: 31, in a 31-16 win at New Orleans in 2006.
LARGEST VICTORY MARGIN: 21, in a 21-0 win at New Orleans in 1975.
FEWEST POINTS ALLOWED: 0, in the 21-0 win in 1975.
Saints — MOST POINTS: 41, in a 41-24 win in 1987 at Riverfront
Stadium. LARGEST VICTORY MARGIN: 17, in the 41-24 win in ’87. FEWEST
POINTS ALLOWED: 7 (twice), most recently in a 21-7 win at Riverfront Stadium
in 1990.
The last meetings: Summaries of the two most recent BengalsSaints meetings — at New Orleans in 2006 and at Cincinnati in ’10 — are on
page 16 of this news release.
‘Cradle of Coaches’ connection: Saints head coach Sean
Payton is among the long line of prominent coaches with connections to Miami
(Ohio) University. He was on the Miami coaching staff in 1994-95, and four of his
assistants also have ties to the RedHawks. Offensive line coach Bret Ingalls
coached at Miami in 2005. Coaching assistant Frank Smith played OL at Miami
from 2000-03 and coached there from ’04-05. Strength and conditioning coach
Dan Dalrymple played OL at Miami from 1983-86 and was on the coaching staff
from 1987-2005. Assistant strength and conditioning coach Charles Byrd was
born in Oxford, Ohio, and coached at Miami from 2006-07.
More Bengals-Saints connections: Bengals OT Andrew
Whitworth, HB Jeremy Hill and WR James Wright all played at Louisiana State;
Whitworth is from West Monroe, La., Hill is from Baton Rouge, La. and Wright is
from Buras, La. ... Saints T Zach Strief is from Milford, Ohio (Milford HS) ...
Saints NT Brandon Deaderick is from Elizabethtown, Ky. ... Saints defensive
coordinator Rob Ryan coached at Western Kentucky in 1987 and Ohio State in
1988 ... Bengals defensive backs coach Vance Joseph is from Marrero, La. ...
Bengals defensive backs coach Mark Carrier is from Lake Charles, La. ...
Bengals running backs coach Kyle Caskey was a graduate assistant coach at
Louisiana-Monroe from 2004-05 ... Saints running backs coach Dan Roushar
coached at the University of Cincinnati from 2003-06 ... Saints tight ends coach
Terry Malone coached at Bowling Green from 1986-1995 ... Saints secondary
coach Wesley McGriff coached at Kentucky State (1995-99), Eastern Kentucky
—1—
(More Bengals-Saints connections, continued)
(2000) and University of Kentucky (2001-02) ... Saints strength and conditioning
assistant Rob Wenning is from Coldwater, Ohio, and coached at Findlay (Ohio)
from 2003-06 and at Ohio State in 2007.
Dalton rules against NFC: This week’s game marks the first
appearance for Bengals QB Andy Dalton against New Orleans, but Dalton has
had few problems with the Saints’ NFC brethren during his pro career.
Dalton has a 10-3-1 record against NFC clubs, a winning percentage of .750.
His three losses have come by a total of 12 points, and his 10 wins have come
by an average margin of 13.1.
Dalton and the Bengals are 1-0-1 against the NFC this season. Cincinnati
won 24-10 vs. Atlanta on Sept. 14 and tied 37-37 vs. Carolina on Oct. 12.
Here’s a roundup of his history against NFC opposition:
DATE
9-25-11
10-30-11
12-18-11
12-24-11
9-23-12
11-11-12
12-9-12
12-13-12
9-8-13
9-22-13
10-20-13
12-22-13
9-14-14
10-12-14
OPP.
RESULT
S.F.
49ers, 13-8
@Sea.
Bengals, 34-12
@StL.
Bengals, 20-13
ARIZ.
Bengals, 23-16
@Wash. Bengals, 38-31
NYG
Bengals, 31-13
DALL.
Cowboys, 20-19
@Phil.
Bengals, 34-13
@Chi.
Bears, 24-21
G.B.
Bengals, 34-30
@Det.
Bengals, 27-24
MINN.
Bengals, 42-14
ATL.
Bengals, 24-10
CAR.
Tie, 37-37
COMP-ATT-YDS-TD-INT
17-32-157-0-2
18-29-168-2-2
15-26-179-0-1
18-31-154-2-0
19-27-328-3-1
21-30-199-4-0
20-33-206-1-1
13-27-127-1-0
26-33-282-2-2
20-28-235-2-1
24-34-372-3-0
27-38-363-4-0
15-23-252-1-0
33-43-323-2-2
RATING
40.8
72.2
62.8
92.7
132.9
127.6
76.1
74.2
97.2
105.5
135.9
136.2
116.6
93.5
Records vs. Saints: Bengals WR Chad Johnson had 190 receiving
yards at New Orleans in 2006, the week after he had posted a club-record 260
vs. San Diego. The 450 yards from those two games is a Bengals record for
consecutive contests and ranks fourth all time in the NFL in the category. Also:
● Johnson’s three TD catches against the Saints in 2006 ties the Bengals
record for most receiving TDs in a game.
● At New Orleans in 2006, though the Bengals won, the Saints set a
Cincinnati opponents’ record with 504 net passing yards. QB Drew Brees had
510 gross passing yards, which ranks second for a Bengals foe behind 513 by
Phil Simms of the N.Y. Giants in 1985. The Bengals won that game, too.
BENGALS-SAINTS NFL RANKINGS
BENGALS
SAINTS
SCORING (AVERAGE POINTS):
Points scored............................................. T-18th (21.9)
6th (27.9)
Points allowed ........................................... T-18th (23.4)
22nd (25.0)
NET OFFENSE (AVERAGE YARDS):
Total ........................................................... 20th (339.8)
2nd (435.0)
Rushing ...................................................... 12th (117.4)
6th (130.2)
Passing........................................................21st (222.3)
3rd (304.8)
NET DEFENSE (AVERAGE YARDS):
Total ........................................................... 30th (391.9)
19th (366.0)
Rushing .......................................................31st (143.0)
11th (106.8)
Passing....................................................... 20th (248.9)
24th (259.2)
TURNOVERS:
Differential ................................................ T-14th (even)
28th (minus-8)
BENGALS RED-ZONE REPORT
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
Inside-20 possessions: 27
Inside-20 possessions: 35
Total scores: 25 (92.6%)
Total scores: 28 (80.0%)
TDs: 15 (55.6%)
TDs: 19 (54.3%)
FGs: 10 (37.0%)
FGs: 9 (25.7%)
TD% rank: 18th
TD% rank: 13th
No scores: 2 (7.4%)
No scores: 7 (20.0%)
SAINTS RED-ZONE REPORT
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
Inside-20 possessions: 37
Inside-20 possessions: 28
Total scores: 33 (89.2%)
Total scores: 26 (92.9%)
TDs: 23 (62.2%)
TDs: 17 (60.7%)
FGs: 10 (27.0%)
FGs: 9 (32.7%)
TD% rank: T-9th
TD% rank: 20th
No scores: 4 (10.8%)
No scores: 2 (7.1%)
THE HEAD COACHES
Marvin Lewis in 2014 extends his Bengals record for head coaching
tenure to 12 seasons. He has led the team to the postseason in four of the last
five years, including three straight. The Bengals are one of only five NFL teams
to be in the playoffs every year since 2011, and they are one of only six clubs to
qualify as many as four times in the last five years.
In total, Lewis has coached five Bengals playoff teams, also a franchise
record. Paul Brown is second in the category, with three.
Lewis has 95 career victories, most in Bengals history by a margin of 31 over
Sam Wyche (64). Lewis’ record is 95-87-2 in the regular season and 95-92-2
including postseason.
The Bengals went 11-5 in the regular season in 2013, winning the AFC
North Division championship by three games over both Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
Cincinnati lost in the first round of the playoffs, however, falling 27-10 to San
Diego at Paul Brown Stadium.
Last year’s division title was Cincinnati’s third under Lewis. In a 2009 title
season in which the Bengals swept all six division games, Lewis was the
consensus choice as NFL Coach of the Year. Lewis also led Cincinnati to an
AFC North title in 2005.
Lewis ranks second in the NFL in longest current tenure with one team,
trailing only Bill Belichick, who is in his 15th straight season with New England. In
the category of most seasons as an NFL head coach with one or more teams,
Lewis in 2014 ranks sixth among active coaches, behind Belichick (20th season
in 2014), Jeff Fisher (20), Tom Coughlin (19), the Chiefs’ Andy Reid (16) and
John Fox (13).
Lewis was named the ninth head coach in Bengals history on Jan. 14, 2003.
In ’02, he directed the NFL’s fifth-ranked defense with Washington, serving as
assistant head coach in addition to his role as defensive coordinator. Prior to his
year with the Redskins, he was a record-setting defensive coordinator for the
Baltimore Ravens. His six seasons with the Ravens (1996-2001) included a
Super Bowl victory following the ’00 season. In the ’00 season, Lewis’ Baltimore
defense set the NFL record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game campaign
(165), and the ’00 Ravens are always included in discussions of the best single-
season NFL defenses of all time.
Lewis entered the NFL as linebackers coach with Pittsburgh from 1993-95,
guiding the careers of Pro Bowl selections Kevin Greene, Chad Brown, Levon
Kirkland and Greg Lloyd.
Born Sept. 23, 1958, in McDonald, Pa., near Pittsburgh, Lewis played
linebacker at Idaho State and earned All-Big Sky Conference honors in each of
his three seasons (‘78-80). He began his coaching career as an assistant at
Idaho State University in 1981.
Sean Payton is in his eighth season as Saints head coach and has led
the team to five playoff appearances, three NFC South titles, two NFC
Championship berths and the Super Bowl XLIV title. His record is 83-48,
including 6-4 in postseason play.
Payton began his NFL coaching career as quarterbacks coach for the
Philadelphia Eagles in 1997-98. He was offensive coordinator for the final three
years of a four-year stay (1999-2002) with the New York Giants, and he was with
the Dallas Cowboys from ’03-05, serving as assistant head coach with an
emphasis on quarterbacks and the passing game.
He coached in college at Indiana State, San Diego State and Miami (Ohio).
At Miami, he was as quarterbacks coach/co-offensive coordinator in 1994-95.
Payton was a three-time Division I-AA All-American quarterback at Eastern
Illinois, and finished his career with a school-record 10,665 passing yards. He
played in the pro ranks with Chicago of the Arena Football League and the
Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian League before joining the Chicago Bears
for a portion of the 1987 season.
Payton was born Dec. 29, 1963 in San Mateo, Calif., and was raised in
Naperville, Ill.
—2—
Lewis vs. Saints: Tied, 1-1.
Lewis vs. Payton: Tied, 1-1.
Payton vs. Bengals: Tied, 1-1.
BENGALS NOTES
NFL’s best division won’t loosen up: For the second time
in three weeks, the AFC North Division standings show the four teams all within
a half-game of each other. When it happened after Week 8, it was the only time
in 45 years — since the 1970 merger — for all teams in a division to be within a
half-game that late in a season and all have winning records. And of course it
again so now.
Cleveland is first now, a half-game ahead of the Bengals, Steelers and
Ravens. Next week, who knows? With the right set of results, any of the four
teams could be alone in first place after this weekend’s play.
Not only are all four teams so close, they all are at least two games over.
500. All of the other divisions have one or more teams at least three games
under. 500. The North retains the NFL’s best aggregate winning percentage in
games against teams from other divisions, now at .661 with an 18-9-1 mark. The
next-best division is the NFC West at .654 (17-9).
The AFC North was 1-1 against non-division foes last week, Baltimore
winning at home against Tennessee and Pittsburgh losing at the N.Y. Jets.
Besides the AFC North and NFC West, other divisions with aggregate
winning records are the NFC North (15-11). NFC East (15-12) and AFC East
(14-13). The AFC West is even at 13-13, and the two South divisions are far in
the rear, the AFC South at 8-19 and the NFC South at 5-19-1.
Here’s the AFC North picture entering Week 11:
TEAM
W-L-T PCT. DIVISION
Cleveland 6-3-0 .667
2-2-0
Cincinnati 5-3-1 .611
2-1-0
Pittsburgh 6-4-0 .600
2-2-0
Baltimore 6-4-0 .600
2-3-0
NEXT TWO GAMES
Houston; at Atlanta
at New Orleans; at Houston
at Tennessee; Bye
Bye; at New Orleans (Mon.)
First in 79 years? With all four AFC North teams at least two games
over .500, and the season more than half over, it must be considered possible
that all four clubs could end the season with winning records. But that hasn’t
happened in an NFL division since 1935.
In ’35, Detroit won the NFL’s Western Division at 7-3-2, followed by Green
Bay (8-4-0), the Chicago Bears (6-4-2) and the Chicago Cardinals (6-4-2).
Though Detroit and Green Bay each were four games over .500, Detroit was the
division winner based on a better winning percentage (.700 to Green Bay’s .667).
That was in the era when the NFL threw out ties before calculating winning
percentage. In today’s NFL, ties count as half a win and half a loss, so a repeat
of 1935 would result in both teams having a .667 winning percentage, and the
title would be decided via tiebreakers.
The AFC North’s current .661 aggregate winning percentage, based on its
18-9-1 record in games against teams from other divisions, is still a bit shy of the
best divisional records since the 2002 NFL realignment. The 2013 NFC West
and the 2007 AFC South both posted .692 wining percentages outside the
division, with records of 36-16.
Home unbeaten streak comes to rest at 14: Last
week’s loss to Cleveland put an unwanted cap on the longest home unbeaten
streak (14) in Bengals history in regular season games. The streak spanned
three seasons, as Cincinnati went 13-0-1 at Paul Brown Stadium from late 2012
through Nov. 2 of this year. Prior to the Cleveland game, the Bengals had not
lost at home since dropping a 20-19 squeaker to Dallas on Dec. 9, 2012.
Prior to the just-ended streak, the all-time team mark for consecutive home
games without a loss had been 10, over from 1988-89.
The Bengals also this year have established a club-record winning streak in
regular-season home games. That streak reached 11 on Sept. 21 of this season,
when Cincinnati defeated Tennessee. The old streak for consecutive home wins
covered the same games as the former best unbeaten streak — all eight games
in 1988 and the first two of ’89.
Cincinnati’s record unbeaten run began in the 2012 season finale. It
continued through an 8-0 home sweep in 2013 and a 4-0-1 home start this
season.
“There’s no question we’ve created this as a tough place to come win,” says
OT Andrew Whitworth. “We have a lot of pride and resolve in protecting our
home turf, and offenses are struggling to play well here because not only do we
have a great defense, the atmosphere is loud and it affects your calls and makes
it hard when you want to get the ball out quick. I like it that every single team has
to worry about coming into a tough environment, and they’ve also got to play us.”
The Bengals actually won 12 straight at home (Riverfront Stadium) over
1988-89, but two of those were 1988 playoff wins, and playoffs are a separate
category in official NFL record-keeping.
Here’s a full recap of the record 14-game unbeaten streak:
DATE
OPPONENT SCORE
12-30-12
9-16-13
9-22-13
10-6-13
10-27-13
11-17-13
12-8-13
12-22-13
12-29-13
9-14-14
9-21-14
10-12-14
10-26-14
11-2-14
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Green Bay
New England
N.Y. Jets
Cleveland
Indianapolis
Minnesota
Baltimore
Atlanta
Tennessee
Carolina
Baltimore
Jacksonville
23-17
20-10
34-30
13-6
49-9
41-20
42-28
42-14
34-17
24-10
33-7
37-37
27-24
33-23
COMMENT
Bengals win despite 352-189 yards deficit
Win on MNF after 10-10 halftime tie
Bengals led 14-0, then trailed 30-14
Pats held to 1-for-12 on third down
Marvin Jones club-record four TD catches
Club-record 31 points in a quarter (2nd)
Andy Dalton 120.5 passer rating
Win plus help delivers AFC North title
Largest ever Bengals win margin vs. Ravens
No sacks allowed, no giveaways, three takeaways
Sanu-to-Dalton TD pass opens floodgates
Bengals miss win with missed FG at OT buzzer
Dalton rallies team from fourth-quarter deficit
Rookie Jeremy Hill rushes for 154
Jones second in PR and KOR: After leading the NFL in both
punt return and kickoff return average through Week 9, Bengals CB Adam Jones
dropped to second in each category through Week 10 play.
Jones was held to just four yards on his only punt return vs. Cleveland last
week, and his season average is now 14.8. Philadelphia’s Darren Sproles, who
broke a 65-yarder last week vs. Carolina, is the league leader at 17.0. Jones is
No. 1 in the AFC, with Julian Edelman of New England ranked second in the
conference and third in the league at 13.9
Jones averaged 27.5 yards on two kickoff returns last week. His season
average went to 31.9, and Miami WR Jarvis Landry moved barely ahead for the
year at 32.0.
No player has led the league for a full season in both punt and kickoff returns
in 22 years. In 1991, Detroit’s Mel Gray topped the charts with a 15.4 yards on
punt returns and 25.8 on kickoff returns.
Players must be averaging at least 1.25 returns per team game to qualify for
the NFL rankings. Jones has 13 punt returns and thus will not need a punt return
at New Orleans to remain in the rankings next week, when the Bengals will have
played 10 games. With 12 kickoff returns, Jones will need one KOR against the
Saints to remain a qualifier.
Jones’ long punt return for this season has been 47 yards, on Oct. 5 at New
England, and he also had a 45-yarder on Sept. 7 at Baltimore and a 31-yarder
on Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville. For his entire NFL career, dating back to a 2005
rookie year with Tennessee, Jones has averaged 10.6 yards on 141 punt
returns, with five TDs. His TD total, which includes one for Cincinnati, is tied for
second in the NFL among active players, behind only Atlanta’s Devin Hester.
Jones’ KOR average is fueled by a 97-yarder on Oct. 12 vs. Carolina. The
return set up a Bengals TD, but when Jones was stopped at the three-yard line,
he was denied his first NFL kickoff return for a score. The 97-yarder stands as
the longest play in Bengals history that did not go for a touchdown.
Jones is used situationally on kick returns by the coaching staff. He also has
CB duties also to perform — he’s the No. 3 CB behind starters Leon Hall and
Terence Newman —and last week, with Hall sidelined by a concussion, Jones
played 75 of the 76 defensive snaps. WR Brandon Tate also returns punts and
kickoffs for Cincinnati. He has 12 kickoff returns and seven punt returns this
season. Tate also has been the coaches’ choice in punt return situations where
the need for a solid fair catch seems likely, and Tate has 10 fair catches this
season.
The coaching staff has said there are no plans to move away from the
tandem roles, but special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons concedes that
Jones is on a special level for explosiveness.
“He has a natural feel for eluding players,” Simmons said. “I’ve never been
around somebody who can set somebody down in a hole like he can and then
get them to move. It’s all natural to him. He doesn’t think about doing that. It’s
just something that happens for him, and he does it a lot. I still don’t know how
he makes some of the cuts he makes.
“He’s earned more shots,” Simmons continued. “Situations dictate when we
put him in there, but I probably should have put him in there earlier this season
on kickoff returns:
Said Bengals P Kevin Huber:
“He (Jones) runs with a purpose. He’s fearless. He’s just got a knack for
finding the hole, hitting the hole hard, avoiding tacklers. He’s a shifty guy. He’s
always been like that. He can make guys miss. I’m just glad he’s on our team,
and not a team we have to play.”
—3—
(Jones second in PR and KOR, continued)
Two Bengals have led the AFC and/or the NFL in punt returns for a full
season. WR Mike Martin led the league at 15.7 in 1984, and CB Lemar Parrish
led the league at 18.8 in 1974. Parrish’s 18.8 is the Bengals season record. No
Bengal has led the NFL in kickoff returns for a season. Tremain Mack won
Cincinnati’s only AFC kickoff return title in 1999, at 27.1, which stands as the
franchise record.
He’s not about ‘fair’: When Bengals CB Adam Jones says he
doesn’t like to fair catch on punt returns, he’s not kidding. He has had 90 returns
since his last fair catch, which came for Tennessee on Nov. 16, 2006. He has
had 57 returns without a fair catch as a Bengal.
For perspective on those numbers, consider that in 2013, for the full NFL
season, there were 58.1 percent as many fair catches (636) as there were punts
returned (1094).
Jones has five career punt returns for touchdowns, second-most among
active NFL players.
“I’m trying to score,” Jones says. “I don’t get excited over 10 yards.”
More on Adam Jones: Though Adam Jones is well-known for his
kick return exploits (see previous items), and though he is not a starting CB on
the depth chart, his accomplishments on defense this season should be noted.
He leads the team in passes defensed (nine), and he has an interception
and a fumble recovery. He ranks sixth on the team in tackles (42). Though listed
behind CBs Terence Newman and Leon Hall on the depth chart, he has seen
plenty of action on defense all season. He is the team’s nickel CB, and the
Bengals have played considerable nickel fronts, particularly due to injuries to the
LB corps. Also, Jones has been an injury replacement for Hall, who has missed
one game and most of another.
Homecoming for Hill: Bengals rookie HB Jeremy Hill returns this
week to his home state of Louisiana and to hordes of fans who cheered for him
at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Hill is a native of Baton Rouge,
some 80 miles from New Orleans, but this week’s game will mark his first playing
experience in the Superdome. Neither LSU nor his high school (Baton Rouge
Redemptorist) played at the dome during his time.
Hill will arrive in Louisiana with a bit of personal momentum. Though no one
had a good night on offense last week for the Bengals, someone had to be the
team leader in scrimmage yards gained, and for the second straight week, it was
Hill. Though he suffered the first fumble of his pro career, he rushed 12 times for
55 yards (4.6) and had a six-yard reception.
The previous week vs. Jacksonville, Hill had a breakout game and was
named the NFL’s FedEx Ground Player of the Week. Not only did he rush for
154 yards on 24 carries (6.4), he lifted the Bengals in the fourth quarter from the
specter of an upset loss. Jacksonville had stunned a Paul Brown Stadium crowd
with two quick touchdowns, closing a 26-10 deficit to 26-23, but on Cincinnati’s
first scrimmage play after the second Jacksonville score, Hill brightened moods
considerably with a 60-yard TD run. He didn’t get a chance on that play to show
any of the power he has in his 235-pound frame, but he showed plenty of the
speed and moves that make him an exceptional prospect for his size.
Hill also scored early in the third quarter, on a one-yard run on which he ran
wide and then made a sharp cut into the end zone.
Hill has started the last two games in place of No. 1 HB Giovani Bernard,
who has been out with hip and collarbone injuries. Bernard’s status for New
Orleans has yet to be determined.
“We’ve challenged Jeremy the last couple weeks, and he’s done well,” said
QB Andy Dalton. “That’s why we picked him. It was great to see.”
Hill missed some time in the second quarter of the Jacksonville game after
sustaining a knee bruise, but he returned to complete his load of 24 carries.
“I see myself as a tough guy who can hang in there, take the punishment
and take care of the ball,” Hill said. “I didn’t like the way (the knee) felt when it
first happened, but coming out was precautionary. I wanted to play through it.”
For the season, Hill has 404 rushing yards on 76 carries (4.7) and 146
receiving yards on 15 catches (9.7). Those numbers compute to 550 yards from
scrimmage and 5.4 yard per touch.
Hill (6-1, 235) is the biggest back on whom the Bengals have spent a high
draft pick since 248-pound Pete Johnson in 1977 (also second round). In
college, he set an LSU career record for yards per carry (6.25). In 2013, his final
college season, he had six rushes of 50 or more yards.
Come back soon, Gio: Though the Bengals have gotten good
production the last two games from rookie HB Jeremy Hill (detail in previous
item), Hill’s performance makes fans ever more eager to see HB Giovani
Bernard back from injuries and running in tandem with Hill.
Bernard has missed the last two games with hip and clavicle injuries
sustained Oct. 26 vs. Baltimore. His status for New Orleans remains
undetermined, but it’s not expected he will be out for an extended period.
Bernard started the first seven games, and he leads the Bengals in rushing
yards (446) and ranks second in yards from scrimmage (625). He also is tied
with Hill for the team lead in touchdowns (five). Bernard is super quick and shifty,
with surprising power for his size (5-9, 208). Hill (6-1, 235) is powerful most of all,
but he also has surprising speed and agility. The combination is a potential
dream for Bengals offensive game-planning.
Despite having missed the two games, Bernard has totals that project to
1111 scrimmage yards through 16 games. Last year as a rookie, he had 1209,
ranking second on the team behind WR A.J. Green (1426). On Oct. 12 of this
season vs. Carolina, Bernard had an 89-yard TD run, the second-longest rush in
Bengals history, behind only a 96-yarder for a TD by HB Corey Dillon at Detroit
in 2001. It is also the longest rush in the NFL this season. He went on against
Carolina to log his first career 100-yard rushing game (18-for-137), and he added
20 yards on four receptions to finish with 157 scrimmage yards for the day. That
was only his second-highest scrimmage total of the season, as he had 169 (90
rushing, 79 receiving) on Sept. 14 vs. Atlanta.
Bernard and Hill have combined for 1175 yards from scrimmage, an average
of 130.6 per contest. The duo’s biggest day this season has been Sept. 14 vs.
Atlanta, when Bernard had 169 yards and Hill had 96. Their 265 combined
scrimmage yards was the most by two Bengals backs in one game since Dec. 3,
2000, when Corey Dillon (216) and Brandon Bennett (70) combined for 286. The
Bernard-Hill total was more than the scrimmage yards total of any combo of
Bengals backs since Dec. 22, 2002, when Dillon (142), Nick Luchey (65) and
Bennett (64) combined for 271.
Both Bernard and Hill were second-round Bengals draft choices. Bernard
was the 37th overall pick in the 2013 draft, and Hill went at No. 55 in this past
spring’s draft.
“Obviously Jeremy’s bigger than me,” says Bernard. “I’m faster than him.
I’ll take that. But he’s a great back. We’re not fighting for whatever. We want
to help the team win. We both have that mindset, and that’s good to have. It’s
not about one guy getting more carries than the other. It’s about helping the
team win.”
A.J. points to final seven: After a disappointing Bengals
performance last week vs. Cleveland, head coach Marvin Lewis told his team
that the final seven games on the schedule represent “a new season.”
And no one should have an easier time taking that to heart than WR A.J.
Green. Not because Green has played poorly, but just because he hasn’t played
much at full speed, due to a turf toe injury. The injury, suffered in Game 2, Sept.
14 vs. Atlanta, caused him to miss virtually all of that game, and he missed
Games 5-7 after aggravating the condition. Green returned to action in Game 8,
Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville, but didn’t take a full load, seeing action on 38 of 68
offensive snaps. He had three receptions for 44 yards, including an 18-yard TD
catch that gave the Bengals a 26-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. Last week
vs. Cleveland, coming back on just four days rest, he took a full load on offense
for the first time since Oct. 5 at New England. But it was a very poor night for the
offense overall, and Green managed just three catches for 23 yards.
Green averaged 104.7 receiving yards over his first three full games this
season. He caught six-for-131 with a TD on Sept. 7 at Baltimore, six-for-102 vs.
Tennessee and five-for-81 with a TD at New England. He and the offense hope
to regain that kind of form against the Saints, a game the Bengals will enter after
a 10-day break, following their Thursday night contest vs. Cleveland.
Green entered this season with three Pro Bowl berths on his three-year
resume. His 260 receptions over 2011-13 are the most in NFL history for a
player in his first three seasons, and his 3833 receiving yards in that span are
second-most for a player in his first three seasons. His total numbers for 2014
won’t match past seasons, due to his missed time, but there is every reason to
believe he can be better than ever as the Bengals drive for a fourth straight
playoff berth.
“We’re getting A.J. back into it,” said QB Andy Dalton. “Obviously there’s a
little transition with him having missed that time, and we as an offense didn’t give
him much of a chance against Cleveland. But he’s just so good. We’ve been
together our whole time in the league, so anytime he’s in there, it’s nice.”
Last season, Green became the first Bengal to log six 100-yard games in a
season, and he became the first Bengal to get 100 in five consecutive games.
Green’s presence on the field also helps the Bengals’ rushing game, as
head coach Marvin Lewis noted after the team’s 191-yard rushing performance
vs. Jacksonville.
—4—
(A.J.’s points to final seven, continued)
“Just him being out there, it affects what a defense can do,” Lewis said. “The
threat is there, and they have to account for it. They can’t load up on you in other
spots — putting eight in the box and things like that — that they might be able to
do otherwise.”
Sanu accelerates 1000-club bid: Though he may be targeted
less often as A.J. Green returns full-speed to the Bengals lineup, WR Mohamed
Sanu is piling up some yards in his third pro season. With a team-leading 648
yards through nine games, he’s on a pace for 1152 yards through 16 games. He
ranks eighth in the AFC in receiving yards per team game (72.0).
Sanu ranked sixth in the AFC through Week 9, but he was held to a seasonlow 20 yards (on three catches) in last week’s offensive struggle vs. Cleveland.
He led the team in receiving yards for each of the four weeks prior to Cleveland,
averaging 98.5 yards over the span. He had a career-best 125 yards (on five
caches) on Oct. 26 vs. Baltimore, just two weeks after catching a career-high 10
for a then-career-high 120 yards vs. Carolina.
In the Bengals’ last win, Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville, Sanu beat tight coverage to
control a 19-yard TD pass, scoring his fourth TD of the season and putting the
Bengals ahead to stay at 7-3 early in the second quarter. But his best catch of
the day came on the next possession, when he fielded a ball coming in at a
tough angle for a 33-yard gain to convert a third-down-and-nine situation. The
play led to a field goal.
“Mo not only has good numbers, he’s made really good catches,” said QB
Andy Dalton. “Important catches, third-down catches. He has such strong hands
that if anything is contested, he’ll come down with it. It’s nice having a guy like
that.”
Said Green:
“Mo is playing outrageous right now, which is only going to help me.”
In key division action on Oct. 26 vs. Baltimore, Sanu’s 53-yard catch on a
third-and-10 play was the biggest gain of the game-winning TD drive. And that
wasn’t his best catch of the day. That one came in the first quarter, when he
made a one-handed snag that almost defies description, turning an overthrown
ball into a 48-yard gain for the key play of a TD drive.
“I appreciate the ability I have with my hands,” Sanu said. “God blessed me
with them, and I also get ’em from my Mom.”
For the season ahead, Sanu says simply:
“You have to stay as even as you can, and when your number is called, you
have to make plays.”
Sanu also leads the team for the season with his four receiving TDs and his
41 catches. He also has a two-point conversion catch, which doesn’t count
toward his statistics. He beat tight coverage in the season opener at Baltimore
and claimed a contested ball for the two-pointer.
Still Mr. Perfect: Bengals WR Mohamed Sanu threw one pass as a
rookie in 2012. The perfectly thrown ball went 50 yards in the air and produced a
73-yard TD to WR A.J. Green at Washington. The play left Sanu with a perfect
score on the NFL’s passer rating computer — 158.3.
Last season, Sanu’s only pass produced a 25-yard gain to HB Giovani
Bernard vs. Cleveland. That was good enough to keep his career rating at the
magic 158.3, and when then-offensive coordinator Jay Gruden was asked after
the game about Sanu possibly throwing more passes, Gruden joked that Sanu
“might not want to risk messing up his perfect score.”
But that’s not Sanu’s call, of course, and coordinator Hue Jackson has called
for two Sanu passes this season. On Sept. 14 vs. Atlanta, Sanu did what he had
to do. He threw a ball more than 50 yards in the air to WR Brandon Tate,
precisely placed beyond coverage for a 50-yard gain, and his career rating
stayed right there at 158.3. And on Sept. 21 vs. Tennessee, Sanu completed an
18-yard TD pass to QB Andy Dalton. He got some help on the play, as Dalton
made a nice catch and a nice run to the end zone, but the ratings computer
didn’t care. It left Sanu yet again with the magic 158.3 as his career rating.
Beyond the yards gained and points scored, Sanu’s passes have impressed
onlookers with their arc, perfect spirals and accuracy. It is no exaggeration to say
he literally can throw it like a top quarterback. When Dalton was asked in his
Atlanta post-game news conference if he has ever advised Sanu “on throwing
mechanics or release point,” Dalton said:
“Absolutely not. He doesn’t even warm up. You just get him the ball and let
him throw.”
On both of Sanu’s completions this season, Dalton took the center snap and
pitched laterals to Sanu, who appeared to be running a reverse until he stopped
and threw the aerial. On Sanu’s 73-yarder to Green as a rookie, he took a direct
center snap in a shotgun formation.
The NFL’s only one: Bengals WR Mohamed Sanu is the only player
in NFL history with two or more TD passes, 150 or more passing yards and zero
incompletions. His career passing totals are now four-for-four for 166 yards, with
two TDs and no INTs. He is the only Bengals WR ever to throw a TD pass.
Pass protection still near top: The Bengals rank tied for third
in the NFL in fewest sacks allowed (12). Denver leads at nine, followed by
Oakland (10). Philadelphia is also at 12. The Bengals gave up two sacks to
Cleveland last week. Those two amounted to 14 yards in losses, and in sack
yardage allowed for the season, the Bengals rank fifth in the NFL at 76.
With six sacks allowed in the last three games, however, the Bengals have
fallen off a pace they held earlier to re-set the franchise record for fewest sacks
allowed. The record-low is 17, set in 2007, and Cincinnati is now on pace to
allow 21. That would tie for second-best in club history, matching the total from
2005.
The offensive line has weathered the loss of starting RG Kevin Zeitler to a
calf injury for most of Game 2, all of Games 3-5 and 8 and a portion of Game 7.
Seventh-year pro Mike Pollak has filled in capably when needed. The other
starting G is fourth-year pro Clint Boling, and between the guards is rookie C
Russell Bodine, on course to become the first Bengals rookie offensive lineman
to hold down a starting position for a season since G Eric Steinbach in 2003.
Cincinnati’s OTs are two veterans in their prime, Andrew Whitworth on the left
side and Andre Smith on the right, but Smith left the Nov. 2 Jacksonville game
with an ankle injury and did not play against Cleveland. Smith’s status for New
Orleans is undetermined. Veteran Marshall Newhouse has taken the ROT spot
during Smith’s absence.
Pass defense has its bright spots: The Bengals rank 20th in
the NFL in fewest passing yards allowed — 248.9 per game — but opponents
have been throwing the ball a lot. The Bengals rank fourth in most pass attempts
by opponents (353).
And in other crucial pass defense areas, Cincinnati ranks near the top of the
league:
● After leading the NFL for two straight weeks, Cincinnati now ranks second
in lowest aggregate passer rating by opponents. Cincinnati’s nine foes have
combined for a 76.5 rating. Only Cleveland is better, at 72.2. Bengals opponents
have now completed 209 passes in 353 attempts (59.2 percent) for 2321 yards
(257.9 per game), with 10 TDs and 10 INTs.
● The Bengals are one of only four teams to have as many interceptions as
TD passes allowed on the season. The Bengals have 10 interceptions and 10
TD passes allowed. Arizona (14-14). Buffalo (12-12) and Detroit (10-10) join
Cincinnati in being even in the two categories.
● In lowest completion percentage by opponents, the Bengals rank second
in the AFC and fourth in the NFL, at 59.2. Cleveland leads the AFC and the
league, at 56.9.
The Bengals do not rank highly for sacks (tied for 29th with 13), but their 10
INTs rank tied for seventh. And statistics crews have credited the Bengals with
56 total passes defensed, an average of 6.2 per game and a sign of tight
coverage. Head coach Marvin Lewis gives much of the credit to a veteran
secondary. The Bengals’ top five secondary players average 7.8 years
experience.
“The depth of our secondary, and their experience and maturity and their
knowledge of the game of football is very important to us,” Lewis said. “It makes
a huge difference in the things that you’re able to do.”
Starting corners Terence Newman and Leon Hall have 12 and eight
seasons, respectively, and they are playing alongside one another for the third
straight year.
“When we’re in the nickel and Leon’s on my side, it’s kind of weird because
we sometimes look at each other and know to pass off a route,” Newman said.
“We just look at each other and nod. I think it’s just that we’ve played awhile and
we watch film together, so there’s different routes we see on film and say, ‘Hey
let’s just pass it off, it’s easier.’ We understand what each other thinks.”
Lewis has Dalton’s back: Bengals QB Andy Dalton had arguably
the worst of his 57 career Bengals games last week, limited to 10 pass
completions in 33 attempts for 86 yards, with no TDs and three interceptions.
“The good thing,” Dalton said after a 24-3 loss to Cleveland, “is that it only
counts as one (loss).”
Indeed, the Bengals are still 5-3-1 for the season, and Dalton is 35-21-1
(.623) career as Cincinnati’s starter. That’s the best career winning percentage of
any Bengals QB with more than 10 starts, and Dalton is still very much alive in a
bid to become only the second starting QB in the Super Bowl era to lead a team
to the playoffs in his first four seasons.
—5—
(Lewis has Dalton’s back, continued)
“Andy will break out of this night he had tonight,” head coach Marvin Lewis
said after the Browns game. “He had a bad day, but he’ll come out of this and be
fine.”
Dalton has started all 57 Bengals games since arriving as a second-round
draft choice in 2011, plus all three in the postseason.
“Andy’s our leader,” says rookie HB Jeremy Hill. “Coach Jackson (offensive
coordinator Hue Jackson) says it all the time. We can’t go without Andy. All we
have to do as individuals is make sure he’s protected, and catch the ball and
make plays for him. We know we need Andy down the stretch.”
Dalton is one of only five starting QBs in NFL history to lead his team into the
playoffs his first three pro seasons. And with the Bengals just a half game out of
the AFC North lead, he is in position to join Baltimore’s Joe Flacco as the only
starting QBs in the Super Bowl era to lead a team to postseason in each of his
first four campaigns.
“Andy is still a young player,” says Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, “and
by far we have not seen the best of him yet.”
Dalton has a pair of fourth-quarter comeback wins on his 2013 resume, both
over Baltimore. He posted four game passer rating of 93.0 or better, including
two over 115.0. But the Bengals have suffered all three of their losses by more
than 20 points.
“We’ve got to find a way to be more consistent,” Dalton said. “We haven’t
been in the losses. Every week we have to come to play. And you can’t focus on
what’s already happened. You have to focus on what’s next and have the
confidence the next play is going to be the big one. I’ve been that way my whole
career, and things can turn around pretty quickly when you have everyone on
board.”
Dalton signed up through 2020: Two weeks into preseason,
the Bengals signed QB Andy Dalton to a contract extension running through the
2020 season. His original contract had run through ’14.
A second-round Bengals draft choice in 2011, Dalton has led the Bengals to
the playoffs in each of his three previous seasons, including an AFC North
Division championship in ’13. In ’13, he set franchise season records for passing
yards (4293) and TD passes (33).
“Andy is being rewarded for his accomplishments with a significant contract,”
said Katie Blackburn, Bengals executive vice-president, “and we are pleased to
have a deal that will make him a key part of our team for a number of years.”
Dalton in 2013 won two AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards and was
named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. He joined S David
Fulcher as the only Bengals to win three AFC weekly or monthly awards in a
season.
“It’s stating the obvious that this is a key move for the ongoing success of
our team,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, “I congratulate our front
office, and Andy and his representatives, for coming together to make this
happen in a constructive way for the football team.”
“It’s great that the Bengals have shown this confidence in me,” Dalton said.
This is only a beginning. We have higher goals than just making the playoffs, and
it’s my job to lead us there.”
The Bengals and Dalton have received praise for structuring a contract that
preserves the team’s ability to retain other key players under the salary cap while
still rewarding the quarterback handsomely.
“That’s important to Andy,” said OT Andrew Whitworth. “He understands the
game. He understands what makes it go. He won in college at a place (TCU)
where not many people won as much as he did. He understands that he needs
other guys that help him win. He came in as a rookie and played on a team when
it lost its franchise quarterback and was supposed to go 0-16.”
Whitworth’s reference was to 2011, when the Bengals opened the season
with QB Carson Palmer holding out. The team was widely forecast as a lastplace finisher, but Dalton, a second-round draft choice, led a 9-7 playoff season
and earned a Pro Bowl berth.
A parallel for Dalton? Bengals QB Andy Dalton hasn’t yet won a
playoff game, but he has led the team to three berths in three seasons, and
that’s a far better start than most — including one Peyton Manning, Denver’s
Hall-of-Fame lock of a QB. Manning needed his first five seasons (1998-2002) to
lead the Indianapolis Colts to three playoff berths, and the Colts were eliminated
in the first round all three times (’99, ’00, ’02).
Manning led his first playoff wins (two) in 2003, his sixth season as a Colt.
Dalton’s playoff passer rating is not a point of pride at 56.2, but head coach
Marvin Lewis points out that Cincinnati’s highly rated defenses allowed opposing
QBs to post an aggregate 94.9 rating in the three postseason contests.
“So obviously it’s not all on Andy,” Lewis says. “We all know the way it
works, how the pressure falls on the quarterback, but that doesn’t mean it’s
always valid. The pressure is on us as an entire team to improve.”
Dalton has had no bigger backer than Bengals president Mike Brown. Prior
to the Aug. 4 completion of Dalton’s new contract, Brown said:
“I like him on the field; he’s steady Eddie,” Brown said. “He competes. He
doesn’t do stupid things. He keeps us focused. He makes us a winning team.
He’s won nine games, then 10, then 11. That’s pretty good. Everybody knows we
didn’t win in the playoffs, and we have to get over that hump. And we are
counting on Andy to get us to that point.”
Dalton has a history of earning statistical comparisons with the biggest
names among NFL QBs. For example, he threw more TD passes (80) over his
three seasons than anyone except Manning and Drew Brees. But Brown takes
the comparison with the best to off-field matters as well.
“I think he is an exceptional person,” Brown said. “Nobody has more respect
in our building than he. I would tell you that of all the quarterbacks we have had,
he is respected by his teammates as much as any of them.”
Apprised of Brown’s remarks, Dalton said:
“It means a lot to hear him say that. To know I have support from the top
down, that is exactly what you want. And saying how everyone in the
organization respects me ... not that I doubted that, but it’s really good to hear.”
Andy by the numbers: A roundup of reasons why QB Andy Dalton
draws such high praise from his bosses and teammates:
CAREER:
● His 35-21-1 record as a starter gives him a .623 winning percentage, best
in Bengals history for a QB with 10 or more starts.
● He is one of only five starting QBs in NFL history to lead a team to the
playoffs his first three seasons.
● His 80 TD passes from 2011-13 stand as third-most in NFL history for a
player in his first three seasons, trailing only Dan Marino (98) and Peyton
Manning (85).
● His career passer rating, which has improved steadily over time, is now at
86.0, within range of Carson Palmer’s franchise record of 86.9.
● He was on the throwing end for 256 of A.J. Green’s 260 catches from
2011-13, most in NFL history for a player in his first three seasons.
LAST SEASON:
● He joined Peyton Manning and Cam Newton as the only QBs in league
history to pass for 3000 yards in their first three seasons.
● He broke Bengals season records set by Carson Palmer for touchdown
passes (33) and passing yards (4293).
● He finished the season with a passer rating of 88.8, improving that mark
for the third straight season. He ranked fifth in the AFC.
● He joined S David Fulcher as the only Bengals to win three of the NFL’s
weekly or monthly AFC offensive player awards in a season.
● He became the first Bengals passer to throw for 300 or more yards in four
consecutive games.
THIS SEASON:
● In Games 1-2, he became the first Bengals QB to throw completions of
75-plus yards in consecutive games.
● In Game 3 vs. Tennessee, he became the first Bengals QB to catch a
touchdown pass, beating tight coverage to convert an 18-yard score on an aerial
from WR Mohamed Sanu.
● In an Oct. 26 showdown win vs. Baltimore, he led the team back from a
24-20 fourth-quarter deficit with an 80-yard drive that included a clutch 53-yard
pass to Sanu and his own rushing TD on fourth-and-goal from the one.
The tricky Mr. Jackson: The Sept. 21 TD pass from WR
Mohamed Sanu to QB Andy Dalton was one of a number of what might be called
“innovative” plays this season by new Bengals offensive coordinator Hue
Jackson. Jackson also called for a Sanu pass on Sept. 14 vs. Atlanta, and the
result was a 50-yard completion to WR Brandon Tate. On several occasions this
season, the offense has run plays with a somewhat wild look, as OTs Andrew
Whitworth and Andre Smith have been split wide on each side, separated from
the three interior linemen. The Bengals have both run and passed out of this
formation. On Oct. 5 at New England, Sanu lined up in the backfield, took a short
pitch from QB Andy Dalton and then pitched to Tate on an end-around.
Sanu has four rushes this season, for a 10.0-yard average, and Tate has
three rushes for a 7.0 average.
And though not every unusual play has worked, the Bengals thus far have
not suffered from any serious “gadget burn.” Opposing defenses, meanwhile,
have been put on watch that their preparation for Cincinnati cannot be limited to
just “normal football.”
—6—
(The tricky Mr. Jackson, continued)
“It’s a calculated risk,” Jackson said. “The more versatile we are as an
offense, the harder we are to defend. When people know ‘this is where the ball
goes,’ people can defend that. But we have several guys that when they touch
the ball, a lot of good things can happen.”
Though new this season to the Bengals’ offensive coordinator role, Jackson
is no newcomer to offensive game planning. He has held three previous
offensive coordinator roles in the NFL and was head coach at Oakland in 2011,
posting an 8-8 record for a franchise that hasn’t had a winning season since ’02.
“I tend to kind of be who I am, and this is who I am, if you check my track
record,” Jackson said. “I don’t hold much back. I’ve never been a guy like that. I
believe in our players, how we coach them, what we ask them to do, and how we
ask them to execute it. If you do that, you stand a good chance of good things
happening more often than bad things happening.”
But Jackson’s “ideas” are not all his own. He listens to the other creative
minds on the coaching staff.
“Hue does a great job of having an open dialogue, and ideas get bounced
around,” said WRs coach James Urban. “I don’t think anybody would claim all
this as their own. They’re all our ideas, and Hue does a great job of having that
forum where we can say, ‘Hey, how about this?’ Or he can say, ‘What do you
think about that?’ And then, we put the plan together.”
of last season, plus the Wild Card playoff, due to a knee injury. His competition
among Cincinnati’s CB corps includes four first-round NFL draft picks (Adam
Jones 2005, Leon Hall ’07, Dre Kirkpatrick ’11 and Darqueze Dennard ’14).
But Newman himself was a No. 1, selected by Dallas in 2003, and no one is
budging him from the starting lineup. Through nine games, he ranks second on
the team in passes defensed (eight) and fourth in tackles (50). Newman is in his
third Bengals season, following a nine-year Cowboys career in which he was
selected for two Pro Bowls.
“I just work, man. I like the game. I have fun with it,” Newman said. “This
year I’m challenging myself. I’ve challenged myself since I’ve been here, but I’m
taking a bigger challenge as far as helping others and trying to show them as far
as what to do and how to do it. Go to practice and kind of how to work out and
what not. I’ve always been that way, but I’m trying to take that step to the next
level, and practice harder. That way, when I get to the games, it’s completely
second nature.”
Newman has been to the playoffs in each of his two Bengals seasons, but
the team has lost in the first round both times.
“Any time you lose a playoff game and you get to the age that I am, and the
years in your career that I am, you don’t know if you’re going to get another
chance,” he said. “I’m trying to do everything that I can to get back there and get
past that hump.”
Hall hits 100, then sidelined: CB Leon Hall played his 100th
Bengals and NFL game on Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville, but he suffered a concussion
and was out for last week’s Cleveland game. His status for New Orleans is
undetermined.
The Bengals would obviously welcome his return for the Saints game. He
has been the starting RCB when healthy since early in his rookie season of
2007. He has 94 career starts. His 24 career interceptions rank fifth in Bengals
history, and his next INT will tie him with Lemar Parrish for fifth place at 25. He
has 116 career passes defensed, and the 195-pound has always been prized as
a tough run defender from the CB spot. This season, Hall has 39 tackles, one
INT and four passes defensed.
During the offseason, there was some doubt whether Hall would reach 100
games played as soon as he did. He suffered a serious injury — right Achilles
tear — in Game 7 of 2013. But he was ready to go again at full speed on Day 1
of 2014 training camp, and he fulfilled his rehab goal of starting the season
opener. Thus, he is a viable candidate for an unofficial NFL “first” — first player
to return to a prominent lineup position with two Achilles tears in his history. He
started the first eight games of this season before being shelved with the
concussion.
Hall suffered a left Achilles tear in Game 9 of 2011 — and returned for the
’12 season opener.
When head coach Marvin Lewis was asked whether he could recall another
player putting two such injuries behind him, Lewis said he could not.
“I don’t know that there’s been history of that,” Lewis said. “All I can say is
that Leon again was very, very diligent and worked very, very hard. His goal was
to make it back to practice Day 1 of training camp and to start in the season
opener, and he did it.”
‘Tacklin’ Tez’ seeks to return vs. Saints: LB Vontaze
Burfict, the Bengals tackling leader for 2012 and ’13, and a ’13 season Pro Bowl
selection, is still looking for a strong finish to his third NFL season. But his time
on the field thus far has been sharply limited.
Burfict’s latest setback has been a knee injury suffered in Game 7, Oct. 26
vs. Baltimore. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 29 and has missed the
last two games, vs. Jacksonville and Cleveland. His status for the Saints game is
undetermined as the practice week begins.
Burfict often played every defensive snap last season, but this season he
has yet to do so in a game. He came close in Games 5 and 7. He was sidelined
with a concussion in the second quarter of Game 1, and though he was cleared
to return to action for Game 2, he left that contest in the third quarter with
another concussion. He was held out Games 3 and 4. After returning for most of
Game 5, he departed Game 6 early due to a cervical strain.
Bypassed by NFL teams in the 2012 NFL Draft, Burfict has established
himself as one of the most productive college free agent signees by any NFL
team in recent years. He has led the Bengals in tackles by wide margins in each
of his two full seasons, and he led the NFL in tackles in 2013 according to
leaguewide press box statistics. He was credited by the Bengals coaching staff
last season with 204 tackles, 94 more than the second-place player, and he was
voted to the Pro Bowl and to a second-team spot on the Associated Press AllPro team.
On Aug. 27, the Bengals signed Burfict to a contract extension running
through the 2017 season. Burfict’s original contract ran through this season, and
had that contract run out, he would have been a restricted free agent for 2015.
Burfict had arguably the defense’s best individual play in the season-opening
win at Baltimore, stopping RB Bernard Pierce for no gain at the Ravens 20 in the
second quarter and forcing a fumble he recovered himself at the Ravens 23. The
Bengals converted the turnover into a field goal for a 15-0 lead.
“Vontaze is a special talent; he has shown us that from his first day here,”
said head coach Marvin Lewis. “He is a load physically (6-1, 255) and he’s
extremely competitive, but what really makes him stand out is the instinct and
feel he has for the game. It’s something born in him, you can’t coach a player to
naturally react the way he does in all situations. Signing him as we did is a great
move for the future of our defense, and obviously we are anxious to get him back
on the field.”
Regarding his new contract, Burfict said:
“It’s great to have it done and know I’m going to be here beyond this season.
We can have a great defense again this year, even better than the last couple
years.”
The Bengals could likely have retained Burfict for 2015 through restricted
free agency, and he could have been retained for 2016 as a designated
franchise player, at club option. But the club chose instead to work with Burfict
on the extension.
“It’s unusual to sign a player this early in his career to a contract extension,
but Vontaze merits this,” said Katie Blackburn, Bengals executive vice-president.
“He has proven to be an exceptional find for us, and we are happy to reward him
now for his accomplishments. It’s good for him and good for our team.”
Who said ‘T-New’ was old? Bengals CB Terence Newman
turned 36 three days before the season opener. He missed the last three games
The Burfict bandwagon: Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict, in only his
third pro season, has emerged not only as a Pro Bowl player physically, but as
Radar in the red zone: Bengals QB Andy Dalton ranks third
among active NFL passers in ratio of red-zone TDs to INTs (minimum of 25 redzone TDs). He has thrown for 60 TDs and just three INTs, a ratio of 20.0-to-1.
Dalton did not have a red-zone TD pass or INT last week vs. Cleveland.
The leader in the category is Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay, and Russell
Wilson of Seattle is second.
“Andy’s performance in this area is the type of thing we’ve come to expect
from him,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “He’s not only a fine talent,
but a smart player who is going to avoid the big mistake. We’ve got a lot of
confidence in Andy when we get the ball into scoring range.”
Here are the active NFL leaders in the category of TD-INT ratio on red-zone
plays (minimum 25 TDs):
PLAYER, CURRENT TEAM
TD
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay .......................................... 136
Russell Wilson, Seattle ................................................... 44
Andy Dalton, Cincinnati .................................................. 60
Tom Brady, New England ............................................. 268
Kyle Orton, Buffalo.......................................................... 66
INT
5
2
3
14
4
RATIO
27.2-to-1
22.0-to-1
20.0-to-1
19.1-to-1
16.5-to-1
—7—
(The Burfict bandwagon, continued)
the defense’s emotional leader.
Here’s a sampling of kudos from teammates and coaches:
● Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther: “I love the kid. I really do. I’ll coach
very few guys like him in my career. I realize that.”
● 11th-year DE Robert Geathers: “He’s intense, and everybody feeds off of
his energy. He’s a football-smart guy, and when you’re prepared like that and
have his energy, it doesn’t matter how old you are.”
● S Reggie Nelson: “If you don’t want to play with a guy like that next to
you, I don’t know what to tell you. I love playing next to him.”
● LB Jayson DiManche: “He’s as confident as any player I’ve ever seen at
any level, and that’s what really impresses me. You’ll never know if and when he
makes a mistake out there, because he’s always going so fast and playing so
hard. His attitude and effort level are off the charts. That’s something as a young
linebacker that you try to emulate. It’s crazy because Vontaze is actually younger
than me.”
● CB Darqueze Dennard: “All of the great ones pretty much have that
personality, that combative edge that Vontaze does. Lawrence Taylor ... Ray
Lewis ... you see the passion in all of that barking and hollering, and you see that
in Vontaze. I love it, and I think the rest of the guys appreciate that. He motivates
guys and gets them going. When you see a player who is running around having
fun and screaming and hollering after he makes plays, it makes you want to go
out there and have fun with him.”
Burfict is known for taking his edge to practice as well as games, giving
teammates some verbal and physical jabs.
“You have to have fun,” said Burfict. “You want to make practice it
competitive and have fun with it and talk crap. When I talk to Andy (Dalton) or
Gio (Bernard), it spices things up. You don’t think about the reps, you just think
about competing and trying to win that rep. I feel like bringing a bit of an edge
and talking a little trash makes us play better and faster.”
75 is one popular number: The Bengals on Oct. 20 concluded
sales of the No. 75 jersey of DT Devon Still for the time being. The third-year pro
has touched hearts across the nation with his openness regarding his daughter
— Leah, age four — being diagnosed with cancer. Sales of his jerseys will
benefit Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and the program
concluded with 14,945 jerseys ordered. The manufacturer (Nike) is still working
to produce the jerseys for delivery, and the last of the current orders likely will not
be filled until December. Thus, sales have been suspended at this point.
Last week, at the Bengals’ Thursday Night Football game vs. Cleveland at
Paul Brown Stadium, the team presented a check in excess of $1.3 million to
Cincinnati Children’s.
The Bengals absorbed the production cost of the first 10,000 jerseys — a
team outlay of approximately $500,000 — allowing the full $100 sale price of
those jerseys to go to Cincinnati Children’s. On the sales in excess of 10,000,
Cincinnati Children’s will benefit minus the production cost, with no profit to the
Bengals.
On the football side, Still has played in the line rotation in the last eight
games and has 17 tackles.
Two ways to build a defense: The Bengals were the thirdranked defense in the NFL last season. They had strong play at linebacker and
in the secondary. But the pre-NFL pedigrees of the LB and DB units were
strikingly different, and they remain so in 2014.
The LB corps has a majority of players who entered the NFL undrafted, as
college free agents, and the secondary is laden not only with draft choices, but
first-round draft choices.
Pro Bowler Vontaze Burfict of course heads the LB group. His story is now
widely known. Early in his college career at Arizona State, he was touted as a
possible NFL first-round draft choice. But he later acquired the tags of being
undisciplined and out of shape, and he was bypassed in the draft. He has
disproven those raps with the Bengals, however, and the WLB now stands
among the most productive CFA signees of any NFL team in any year.
Emmanuel Lamur has opened the season as the No. 1 SLB, and Vincent
Rey, a strong contender for playing time at MLB or OLB, also were originally
college free agent signees with the Bengals.
Third-year pro Lamur, big and athletic at 6-4 and 240 pounds, he leads the
team in tackles (60) despite missing one game. He has led the team in tackles in
the last two games, including an 11-stop performance last week vs. Cleveland.
He has two INTs, tied for second on the team for the season, and his seven
passes defensed rank tied for third and first among front-seven players.
Lamur was slated for a significant role last season but was lost for the year
to a preseason shoulder injury. Not only was Lamur a college free agent in 2012,
he had to earn that by starting rookie minicamp as an unsigned tryout player.
Rey, a fourth-year pro, broke out last season with 54 tackles, 4.0 sacks, and
two INTs (one for a TD). He has started six games this season as an injury
replacement and has 53 tackles and three passes defensed. On Oct. 19 at
Indianapolis, starting in place of injured Rey Maualuga at MLB, Rey led the team
with 16 tackles, the team high for a game this season.
College free agent LB Jayson DiManche found a significant role as a rookie
last season, finishing second in special teams tackles (12) and blocking a punt
that the Bengals returned for a TD. He has played in all nine games this season,
and he started in place of Lamur at Indianapolis, logging seven tackles on
defense (one for-loss).
Among seven LBs presently on the roster, the only drafted players are MLB
Maualuga (second round by Bengals, 2009), MLB Nico Johnson (fourth round by
Kansas City in ’13) and WLB Marquis Flowers (sixth round by Bengals in ’14).
Nine of the 10 DBs on the roster were drafted, and six of those were firstround selections. Among the six are five CBs and one safety. The CBs are Leon
Hall (Bengals, 2007), Terence Newman (Dallas, ’03), Adam Jones (Tennessee,
’05), Dre Kirkpatrick (Bengals, ’12) and Darqueze Dennard (Bengals, ’14). The
safety is Reggie Nelson (Jacksonville, ’07).
Another DB, safety Taylor Mays, was a second-round NFL draft pick, and S
Shawn Williams was a third-rounder. The only undrafted DB is CB Chris LewisHarris, a college free agent signee in 2012 from Tennessee-Chattanooga.
On the Cincinnati defensive line, eight of the nine players were drafted, but
none in the first round. The only undrafted player among the linemen is starting
DE Wallace Gilberry, a CFA signee by the New York Giants in 2008.
Way to work: To understate things, Paul Alexander has seen a few
players come and go over 20 seasons as Bengals offensive line coach. And
Alexander insists he isn’t overstating when he says of G Kevin Zeitler:
“Hardest-working guy I ever coached.”
Zeitler, a first-round Bengals draft choice in 2012, has been the starter at RG
since day one of his career. He isn’t letting it go to his head. He’s physically
trimmer in 2014 and says, “I see things on every play that I that tell me I could be
that much better. I just want to make more of an impact, make the right
corrections, and be more of an impact guard.”
Says Alexander:
“He’s a machine. He’s the Energizer Bunny. He’s always in the weight room
early; he’s always hustling and finishing in practice. He’s in range to have a top,
top season. The third season is huge for NFL offensive linemen.”
Alexander’s advice for Zeitler going forward? It might be that sometimes, you
can chill out just a little.
“He’s very demanding of himself,” Alexander says. “He has to overcome that
sometimes. At some point you have to accept there’s a margin of error — you
won’t always be perfect — and be realistic.”
Zeitler’s hard work has been done in the training room for several weeks this
season, however. He was sidelined Sept. 14 vs. Atlanta with a calf strain and out
for the next three games. He returned to his starting spot for Games 6 and 7, but
left Game 7 (vs. Baltimore) game with another calf strain, albeit a less major one
than the first. He missed the Nov. 2 Jacksonville game, but he returned to action
last week. vs. Cleveland.
Huber holds first in net and moves up in gross:
Bengals P Kevin Huber had a strong performance vs. Cleveland last week,
averaging 49.8 gross yards and 45.4 net on four punts, and for the second
straight week he leads the NFL in net (44.3) for the season. In second place is
Pat McAfee of Indianapolis (43.6).
Huber’s season gross average is 47.5, ranked third in the league behind
Washington’s Tress Way (49.4) and Houston’s Shane Lechler (47.7) Huber
moved up from an eighth-place ranking through Week 9.
If held through season’s end, Huber’s current averages would re-set
franchise records he already holds. He set the marks in 2012 with a 46.6 gross
and a 42.0 net. Huber also is the club’s career leader in gross and net average,
currently at 44.6 and 39.7 respectively.
Huber’s well-placed kicks have helped the Bengals rank third in the NFL in
lowest punt return average by opponents (5.1).
“We ask Kevin to do special things with the ball, and he has delivered,” said
head coach Marvin Lewis. “Every time you see the returner catch a ball on the
boundary and step out of bounds, Kevin’s done his job again. That’s what we
want all the time. We want that ball pinned to the boundary as much as we can.
He doesn’t get the opportunity like some guys just to stand back there and boom
the football. We want that ball put in certain spots all the time.”
A fifth-round Bengals 2009 draft choice, Huber was the first kicking specialist
—8—
(Huber holds first in net and moves up in gross, continued)
selected that year, after a University of Cincinnati career in which he won one
national gross punting title and twice led the nation twice in net punting.
With the offense sputtering on Oct. 19 at Indianapolis, Huber had a busy
day. He tied the franchise record for punts in a game (11), set three times
previously, and his 558 total punting yards blew away the former mark of 483,
set in 1971 by Dave Lewis.
Huber also has been a reliable holder for place kicks throughout his Bengals
career.
Huber holding Bengals-best differential: Bengals P
Kevin Huber had two inside-20 kicks last week against one touchback. He holds
the Bengals career record for best ratio of inside-20 punts to touchbacks, at
3.87-to-1 (151-39). The second-best ratio belongs to Kyle Larson, another
Marvin Lewis player, who had a 3.41-to-1 ratio (109-32) from 2004-08.
For this season, Huber has 18 inside-20s against three touchbacks. In
differential between the two categories, his plus-15 mark ranks sixth in the NFL.
The co-leaders, at plus-17, are the N.Y. Jets’ Ryan Quigley (19-2) and Buffalo’s
Colton Schmidt (22-5).
Andy and Mo make a feat for the book: On Sept. 21 vs.
Tennessee, QB Andy Dalton and WR Mohamed Sanu reversed roles and made
Bengals history, completing the first WR-to-QB touchdown pass in franchise
annals.
In the first quarter, with the Bengals leading only 3-0, Dalton lateraled to
Sanu, and as Sanu steamed around the right side, Dalton slipped out into the left
flat, awaiting a cross-field toss from Sanu. But the Titans weren’t as fooled as
Bengals scouting had expected them to be — CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson was right in
the area with Dalton — and Dalton had to beat Wreh-Wilson to the catch on a
play where it briefly appeared Dalton might take a devastating hit. Then Dalton
righted himself and outran other Tennessee pursuers on an 18-yard trip to the
end zone. He dove for the pylon and got just over the goal line, avoiding a
possible hit by S Michael Griffin.
With a laugh, Dalton said:
“I always tell the receivers I have the best hands on the team. I catch
(shotgun) snaps all the time.”
The play was selected by CBS television as its “Geico Play of the Day” for
Sept. 21 in the NFL.
Dalton became the first Bengals QB to score a receiving TD. It was the first
reception of his career. No other Bengals QB has logged more than one
reception, and Dalton is only the second Bengals QB to catch a pass from
another player. The first and previously only one was Akili Smith, who caught a
six-yard pass from WR Carl Pickens in 1999. Three other Bengals QBs had
receptions, but they came after deflections of their own passes.
Sanu is the only Bengals WR to throw a TD pass, and the one vs.
Tennessee was his second. He completed a 73-yarder to fellow WR A.J. Green
as a rookie in 2011. Ten other WRs in Bengals history have thrown one or more
passes, but only four others had completions. Darnay Scott threw a 53-yarder to
fellow WR Pickens on his only Bengals pass. Steve Kreider has the most passes
by a WR — seven — but he completed only two, for a total gain of 14 yards.
It was almost a first: With Andy Dalton pass completions of 77
yards to A.J. Green on Sept. 7 at Baltimore and 76 yards to Mohamed Sanu on
Sept. 14 vs. Atlanta, the Bengals posted completions of 75-plus yards in
consecutive games for only the second time in franchise history.
The first instance was in 1969, the franchise’s second season, played in the
American Football League. On Sept. 21, Greg Cook passed 78 yards to Bob
Trumpy in a 34-20 win vs. San Diego, and on Sept. 28, Sam Wyche passed 80
yards to Trumpy in a 24-19 win vs. Kansas City.
Dalton, of course, is the only individual Bengals QB to get 75-plus completions in consecutive games, just as Trumpy is the only receiver in that category.
TV streak bound for 146: In each of the last 145 Cincinnati TV
ratings weeks that have included a Bengals regular-season or postseason
broadcast — dating back to the 2004 season — the Bengals have ruled the
Cincinnati airwaves. They have been the top-rated show among all programming
in the Cincinnati market, and usually by a wide margin.
And it’s near-certain the streak will reach 146 when Cincinnati rankings are
in for the week of Nov. 3-10. The Bengals’ Nov. 6 game vs. Cleveland drew a
local rating of 33.5, significantly higher than any non-Bengals program had
achieved in recent years through last week.
The rating number indicates the percentage of market households tuned to
the game — including those not watching TV at the time.
The streak began on Dec. 5, 2004, when a wild Bengals win at Baltimore
outpolled all other programs. The highest local Bengals rating during the streak
has been 45.5 for a home playoff game vs. Pittsburgh on Jan. 8, 2006.
The high rating of Bengals games has occurred despite the fact most games
are played in the afternoon, when overall TV viewership is not as high as it is
during the evening.
The Georgia connection: The Bengals have five players from the
University of Georgia on the 53-player roster. It’s not as many as at some points
last year, when Cincinnati had as many as seven ex-Bulldogs on the 53, but it’s
still a significant group. Start with WR A.J. Green and DT Geno Atkins, the most
decorated Cincinnati players on each side of the ball. Then add in another starter
(LG Clint Boling), a still very active 11th-year veteran (DE Robert Geathers), and
a promising second-year player (S Shawn Williams).
Last year’s total of seven ex-Bulldogs established a Bengals franchise high
for most players on the roster at one time from one school. This year’s total of
five is still more than any other school. Tied for second at four are Alabama (DE
Wallace Gilberry, LB Nico Johnson, CB Dre Kirkpatrick and OT Andre Smith)
and North Carolina (HB Giovani Bernard, C Russell Bodine, WR Greg Little and
WR Brandon Tate).
Asked about the connection with Georgia, coach Marvin Lewis said:
“I would just say that the coaching staff there, under Coach Mark Richt, has
done a great job teaching their guys to play aggressive, attacking football.
Whether it be offense or defense, they’re all no-nonsense guys. So we really like
their work ethic, how they handle and carry themselves as people, and that says
a lot about the program. I think you guys (media) would agree that they’re
personable players. They’re always approachable, they’ve been trained the right
way, and the Georgia people just do a great job of that.”
Georgia’s pipeline to the Bengals has been a relatively recent connection.
On the Bengals’ Alumni List, Georgia ranks only tied for ninth among schools in
most players to have made the Cincinnati all-time roster. The Bulldog total is 14.
The runaway leader for producing Bengals is Ohio State, at 27. Florida is second
at 18. Tied for third at 17 are the University of Cincinnati and Michigan.
Geathers to hit 150 mark: DE Robert Geathers, in his 11th
Bengals and NFL season, is set to play his 150th Bengals game this week at
New Orleans. That’s the most total Bengals games of anyone on the current
roster. The Bengals’ all-time record is 213, by CB Ken Riley.
NT Domata Peko claims the current roster’s longest streak for consecutive
Bengals starts (76), and his 76 straight Bengals games played also tops the
roster. OT Andrew Whitworth has the most total Bengals starts (129). The player
with the most total NFL games (176) and starts (174) is CB Terence Newman.
All streaks and totals above include regular-season and postseason games.
Is it the pep talks? The Bengals are 11-2 under Marvin Lewis when
a game is tied at halftime, including 3-0 last season. Here’s the history:
DATE
OPPONENT
HALF
FINAL RESULT
9-14-03
@Oakland ........................................... 10-10
20-23
L
9-28-03
@Cleveland ........................................ 14-14
21-14
W
10-26-03
SEATTLE ............................................ 17-17
27-24
W
11-9-03
HOUSTON .......................................... 17-17
34-27
W
11-16-03
KANSAS CITY ........................................ 3-3
24-19
W
9-20-09
@Green Bay ....................................... 21-21
31-24
W
12-27-09
KANSAS CITY ........................................ 3-3
17-10
W
10-9-11
@Jacksonville ..................................... 13-13
30-20
W
10-21-12
PITTSBURGH ..................................... 14-14
17-24
L
12-30-12
BALTIMORE ........................................... 7-7
23-17
W
9-16-13
PITTSBURGH ..................................... 10-10
20-10
W
10-6-13
NEW ENGLAND ..................................... 3-3
13-6
W
12-1-13
@San Diego ........................................... 7-7
17-10
W
Additional notes include:
● The Bengals played to five halftime ties in 2003, Lewis’ first season, and
did not have another until ’09.
● Lewis’ first victory from a halftime tie was also his first Bengals win, a 2114 decision at Cleveland in Game 4 of ’03.
● The Bengals are 64-22-1 under Lewis when leading at halftime but stand
only 18-62-0 when trailing.
No surprise here: America’s favorite sport? Once again, pro football
claims the top spot. For nearly three decades, according to the Harris Poll, the
NFL has been No. 1.
—9—
(No surprise here, continued)
In its most recent survey, Harris found 35 percent of respondents answering
“NFL” to the simple question, “What is your favorite sport?” That’s more than
double the percentage for the No. 2 pick, baseball, at 14 percent. So dominant is
the NFL that its percentage is higher than the Nos. 2-4 sports combined (32
percent). College football was No. 3 at 11 percent, making pro or college football
the choice of 46 percent. Auto racing was fourth, at seven percent.
In addition, pro football has gained more than any other sport in popularity
since 1985, moving up 11 points from 24 percent.
A stat that matters: For the Bengals term of coach Marvin Lewis
(2003-present), a plus-differential in turnovers reflects a big plus in the win
column. And the reverse has gone for a minus.
The Bengals are 58-14-1 in the regular season under Lewis with a plus,
for an .801 winning percentage. But the Bengals are 13-56-1 under Lewis
with a minus differential. Cincinnati was minus-three in last week’s loss vs.
Cleveland.
“It makes a huge difference,” Lewis says. “You see it game after game in the
NFL. You’ve got to possess the football. If you possess the football, good things
can happen. If you turn the ball over to them, you’ve got a harder day.”
The Bengals’ experience with turnovers under Lewis is backed up by league
numbers. Since the start of the 2003 season, Lewis’ first as head coach, here
are the records of teams with varying turnover differentials.
(NOTE: Minus differentials are not included because they are the exact
reverse of the plus figure for the same numbers.)
DIFFERENTIAL
W-L-T
PCT.
Plus-1...............................................................................721-318-3
.693
Plus-2...............................................................................579-116-0
.833
Plus-3.................................................................................324-33-1
.906
Plus-4...................................................................................180-5-0
.973
Plus-5 or more .......................................................................88-3-0
.967
Last week, plus teams posted a 12-1 record, a winning percentage of .923.
Twice this season, plus teams have had perfect records. They were 13-0 in
Week 2 and 10-0 in Week 8. The worst weekly performance for plus teams has
been 7-6, in Week 5. For the season, plus teams are 91-25-1 (.782). Since 2003,
teams with any plus have a combined record of 1889-475-4, which is a winning
percentage of .798.
And when it’s even? The Bengals are 24-18 in head coach Marvin
Lewis’ full tenure in games when the turnover differential has been even, for a
winning percentage of .571. Cincinnati and Baltimore were even in differential in
last week’s Bengals win, each side with two turnovers. The Bengals have won
seven of their last nine with even differential, dating back to 2012.
About that tie: The Bengals’ 37-37 tie with the Carolina Panthers on
Oct. 12 was:
● The longest game in terms of time elapsed — three hours and 59 minutes
— in Bengals history. The previous longest was 3:57, from a 29-26 overtime loss
to Cleveland on Oct. 29, 1995.
● The highest-scoring tie in the NFL’s regular-season overtime era (since
1974). The previous high was 35-35 between Denver and Pittsburgh in ’74.
● The third-highest-scoring tie in all NFL history. Two games from the early
American Football League days, before regular-season overtime, featured more
total points. The Boston Patriots and Oakland Raiders played to 43-all in 1964,
and Denver deadlocked with Buffalo at 38 in 1960.
● The first overtime game for the Bengals affected by the 2013 rule change
that does not give a win to a team scoring a field goal on the opening OT
possession. The Bengals did that, but the Panthers came back with a field goal
on their first possession.
● Only the fourth tie in the NFL in the last 12 seasons (2003-14), and the
Bengals have been involved in two of those. Cincinnati tied Philadelphia 13-13 at
Paul Brown Stadium in 2008.
● The third tie in what is now 718 all-time Bengals regular-season games.
Besides the tie with Carolina and the tie with Philadelphia in ’08, the other
Bengals tie was 31-31 at Houston in 1969 (no overtime).
● The first tie in Panthers history, which dates to 1995 and now includes
323 regular-season games.
Uniform watch: The Bengals are scheduled to wear white jerseys
and white pants this week at New Orleans.
Since 2004, year of the team’s last significant uniform redesign, a number of
color options for jerseys and pants have been available. Below are the records
(regular season plus postseason) for the different combinations:
JERSEY
PANTS
W-L-T
PCT.
Orange*
Black ...................................................................... 3-0-0
1.000
Orange*
White.................................................................... 13-5-1
.710
Black
Black .................................................................. 12-10-1
.543
Black
White.................................................................. 27-25-0
.519
White
Black .................................................................. 18-22-0
.450
White
White.................................................................. 14-22-0
.389
* — Orange is designated as a “specialty jersey” with the NFL and can be worn
for only two games per year.
Bengal bites: The Bengals rank first in the NFL in lowest opponent net
punting average. Cincinnati foes have a net of only 33.8, more than 10 yards
short of Cincinnati’s second-ranked 44.3 for its own net punting ... Adam Jones’
97-yard kickoff return to the Carolina three on Oct. 12 stands as the longest play
in Bengals history not to result in a touchdown. The previous high in the category
was a 94-yard kickoff return by Tim McGee, in 1986 vs. Minnesota ... After their
Oct. 12 tie with Carolina, the Bengals are 16-6-2 (.708) in their last 24 home
games against NFC teams. The last 23 of the 24 games have been played under
head coach Marvin Lewis (15-6-2). Going back a bit farther, the Bengals are 2713-2 (.667) at home against the NFC since 1993. The Bengals have no more
home games against NFC foes this season, having hosted Atlanta prior to the
Carolina game ... Mike Nugent’s five field goals in the first half in Week 1 at
Baltimore tied the NFL record for most field goals in a half. Nugent connected
from 49, 22, 28, 46 and 38 yards to give the Bengals a 15-0 second-quarter lead
... The Bengals are 1-for-1 this season on two-point conversions, and opponents
are 1-for-2. Since 1994, when the two-point conversion was added to the NFL
rules, the Bengals are 18-for-48 (37.5 percent), and their opponents are 20-for47 (42.5 percent) ... The oldest player on the Bengals’ active roster is CB
Terence Newman, who turned 36 on Sept. 4 ... The youngest Bengal is HB
Jeremy Hill, who turned 22 on Oct. 20 ... The tallest Bengal is DE Margus Hunt
at 6-8 ... The shortest Bengal is HB Giovani Bernard at 5-9 ... The heaviest
Bengal is OT Andre Smith at 340 ... The lightest Bengal is WR Dane
Sanzenbacher at 184 ... The NFL lists Cincinnati as its fifth-smallest TV market,
ranking 26th out of 30 with 908,440 TV households. (There are only 30 NFL
markets because New York and San Francisco-Oakland each have two clubs.)
Cincinnati ranks 35th among all U.S. TV markets. The eight non-NFL markets
larger than Cincinnati (largest to smallest) are Orlando, Sacramento, Portland,
Raleigh-Durham, Hartford, Columbus (Ohio), Salt Lake City and Milwaukee.
BENGALS QUOTES
Head coach Marvin Lewis, on the loss to Cleveland and the
upcoming New Orleans game:
“We lost a football game. We have to right the ship and go get ready to play
in New Orleans. We’ve got to go back and play football our way. We lost the
game to Cleveland, but we didn’t fall off a cliff. We’re all right there. It was an
important football game, but win or lose, I would say the same thing to our
football team this week, that it makes the next one up that much more important.”
OT Andrew Whitworth, on the loss to Cleveland:
“I don’t think it’s behind us, to be honest with you. You can’t play like that in a
big game and put it behind. It’s not one of those games to be put behind. You’ve
got to fix what you need to fix and keep it as a reminder of so far, this is what
you’ve shown, and you deserve everything you get. You also get an opportunity
to go earn what you want. So we deserve all the junk that we’re going to hear,
but we also still have the opportunity to go get what we want. That’s our focus.”
P Kevin Huber, on leading the NFL in net punting average (44.3):
“My punt team is bailing me out. I’ve got faith in the gunners that they are
going to get down there and make plays. You can be a little bit more aggressive
when you have that. At the same time, you don’t want to be overly aggressive
and pipe the ball as far down the field as you can and not even give them a
chance. You still have to give them the opportunity to get down the field and get
in position.”
Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, on battling injuries,
particularly at the LB position:
“The year isn’t over. That’s part of the job. It’s not always going to be status
quo. If you’re lucky, you get all your guys for the whole season. We haven’t had
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(Bengals quotes, continued)
too many guys the last couple years going down like this, so you’ve just got to
make sure your guys are prepared, and you put them in the right positions during
the week so when the game comes on Sunday, they understand what to do.”
CB Dre Kirkpatrick, on his tied-for-team-leading seven special teams
tackles, mostly in the role of gunner on the punt team:
“It’s a passion. You’re fighting for your brothers. They’re out there going
hard, so I feel like it’s my job to go out there and go hard. Because of that, I feel
like I’m one of the best gunners in the league.”
G Clint Boling, on OT Andrew Whitworth:
“Whit’s a leader. A guy who drives home the message from the coaches.
You don’t just need coaches to send the message. You need players, too. He’s
like a player-coach.”
Whitworth, on a lesson learned from 2013 Pro Bowl:
“One thing I took from that week was how Peyton Manning pushes himself
and the guys around him and the guys that coach him. How he holds all of them
to such a high standard. You realize at a certain point in this game, it’s about
making sure that everybody, players and coaches, are all of the same accord, all
have the same accountability.”
Whitworth, on himself and ROT Andre Smith:
“Our mentality when we go out is that we are the top tandem in the league.
Our goal every week is to go out and shut people out. Anything short of that, we
feel disappointed.”
Whitworth, on the benefits of having an effective red-zone rushing game:
“It keeps you aggressive and it just creates a really difficult situation for the
defense. The safeties and corners down there really want to trust that they don’t
have to worry too much about the run game, because they can get a quick fade
or a back shoulder or a slant. They’ve got so many things to worry about. When
you can run it well and coaches are on them to get up in there and help make a
tackle, then the next thing you know, everything else opens up. It makes it tough
on them.”
OL coach Paul Alexander, on rookie C Russell Bodine:
“The center has to be a leader, and Russ is a very Clint Eastwood-style
leader. He’s very stern and solid and says few words, but his few words work.
Every week he’s assumed a greater role being that leader. I saw in preseason
that he was unflappable. He’d come to the sideline and know exactly what was
going on. He was able to make adjustments, and he convinced me (that he could
be a starter). Some young guys, when they struggle, they go backward, but Russ
has gone forward after his struggles. The techniques that you use in pro football
are so different than the techniques you use in college and he’s had to learn
those. He’s had to learn a pro-style offense that has probably 10 times the
volume of plays that his college offense had, and he has to be able to
orchestrate that and make all the calls and run the show. And he’s done a pretty
good job.”
Guenther, on LB Emmanuel Lamur:
“There are a lot of things you can do with him. He’s very fast and agile for a
6-4, 240-pound guy. He can play safety, he can cover tight ends. And as we all
know now, there are a lot of pass-receiving tight ends in the league. He’s a smart
player who knows the defense, the kind of guy that understands the big picture.
Having him back (after a 2013 injury) is a big advantage for us.”
Lewis, on LB Emmanuel Lamur:
“We’ve liked him since his first day on the field with us (as an unsigned tryout
player at 2012 rookie minicamp). He has the size (6-4, 240) to be a physical
linebacker, and the speed and agility to cover like a safety. And you need that in
a LB these days because of all the talented tight ends in the NFL. E-Man is also
a very intellectual player for us. He understands applying what we do to the
opponent. He works extremely hard at that. He’s a guy who’s working hard at
excelling overall.”
LBs coach Matt Burke, on LB Emmanuel Lamur’s pass coverage:
“Tight ends are such good athletes nowadays. Teams can go with two tight
ends, and if you can’t match them with nickel or can’t stay in base, they can do
too much. The defense has to find athletes to match up with those types of
players, and E-Man’s a guy we feel does that for us. He played a little safety in
college. That’s where the game is going.”
LB Vincent Rey, on LB Emmanuel Lamur:
“You just don’t see guys that tall (6-4) run that fast. “He’s one of the quickest
linebackers I’ve seen.”
Lewis, on SS George Iloka:
“George is better twofold this season, compared to last. He played with a
cast on his hand throughout last season, and secondly, the experience of being
in his second season (starting) is huge. He’s been in the right spots. He was a
year ago, but he didn’t come down with those plays like he is now. The fact that
he’s in the right spots now, and he’s the big man he is (6-4, 217) — tackling and
making plays on the ball — are important. We need him to continue like that.”
S George Iloka, on the 2014 AFC North Division race:
“There is no champion right now. We were the 2013 division champ. No
one’s been crowned the champion of 2014. You’re confident in that you know
you won it last year. You might feel like, ‘OK, they have to beat us now.’ But we
don’t hold a belt.”
Lewis, on whether he’s seen a cornerback play as strongly at age 36 as
Bengals CB Terence Newman:
“I’m not quite sure how old Rod Woodson was at various points, but he was
certainly a great one long into his career. Guys that are great players for a long
time continue to do things the right way all the time. They’re smart guys, they
understand how to take care of their body physically, how to train during the
offseason and how to go out and work during the season. Obviously, Terence is
a physically gifted athlete as well. He’s covering big, fast guys and little, fast
guys. It is impressive.”
Whitworth, the Bengals’ success in recent years, and on their remaining
need to “win the big one”:
“If we hadn’t been in the playoffs three years in a row, it probably wouldn’t
even be a topic of conversation. It’s not a negative to be in the playoffs three
times in a row. You’ve accomplished something to be there, and you’ve played a
lot of obviously significant games to get there. You don’t go 10-6 and 11-5 and
not have won a game that meant something.”
G Mike Pollak, on being a significant swing player between G and C:
“I come out (to practice) and ask where I am each day. Whatever gets me in
a role to play. I just want to play where I can. I’m later in my career, I know my
days are numbered. As long as I can get in there, that’s what I care about.”
Lewis, on college free agent H-back Ryan Hewitt, the only college free agent
to earn a spot on the initial 53-player roster:
“Ideally we want a combination of a power guy and a guy who can add
pressure on the defense as a skill player. Be an effective blocker, but also add
pressure in matchups. Ryan has shown us the potential to provide a little bit of
that. He’s an excellent receiver. And overall, it’s just not been too big for him. As
he grows and if he’s fortunate enough to stay around here, I think by next year
we’ll have a real, real, real big physical man.”
POSITION BY POSITION
Quarterbacks: Andy Dalton has started all 57 regular-season and
three postseason games of his Cincinnati career. He has led the team to the
playoffs in each of his three previous seasons, and in 2014 he’s bidding to join
Baltimore’s Joe Flacco as the only starting QBs in the Super Bowl era to reach
the postseason in their first four campaigns. Dalton and Flacco are among five
NFL QBs to make postseason in their first three campaigns. Dalton had a rough
go of it in the loss vs. Cleveland, going 10-for-33 for 86 yards with no TDs and
three INTs. He rushed three-for-eight. For the season, Dalton has passed 171-
for-281 (60.9 percent) for 1960 yards with eight TDs and nine INTs for a 78.0
passer rating. He has also rushed 30-for-86 with two TDs, and has an 18-yard
receiving TD. Jason Campbell, a 10th-year pro with 79 career NFL starts, is in
the No. 2 QB role. Campbell played in the fourth quarter against Cleveland in a
mop-up role and went three-for-six for seven yards. Campbell has played in
Games 3-4 and 9 and has been active-DNP for Games 1-2 and 5-8, and for the
season is seven-for-13 passing for 49 yards. Campbell signed with the Bengals
as a free agent for 2014, after playing nine games with eight starts for Cleveland
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(Position by position, continued)
in 2013. He won an AFC Offensive Player of the Week award for his performance for the Browns in a win over Baltimore. Campbell has 16,746 career
passing yards and 87 TD passes.
Halfbacks: In the Cleveland contest, No. 1 HB Giovani Bernard
missed his second consecutive game due to hip and clavicle injuries suffered on
Oct. 26 vs. Baltimore. Rookie second round draft pick Jeremy Hill started vs.
Cleveland for the second straight game. Hill rushed 12-for-55 (4.6) and had one
catch for six yards. He also lost a fumble in the second quarter, his first fumble
as a pro. For the season, Hill has rushed 86-for-404 (4.7) with five TDs (tied for
team lead) and has caught 15-for-146 (9.7). On Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville, in his
first game as the Bengals feature back, Hill rushed 24-for-154 (6.4) with two TDs,
including a 60-yard TD run. His 154 rushing yards was the most by a Bengals
running back since Cedric Benson had 189 yards on Oct. 25, 2009 vs. Chicago,
and he was named FedEx Ground Player of the Week in the NFL. Hill entered
the NFL draft after two stellar LSU seasons over which he set a school record for
yards per rush (6.25). The 235-pounder had six rushes of 50 or more yards last
season, and he has the potential to give the Bengals their best combination of
power and breakaway ability at HB since all-time club rushing leader Corey
Dillon (1997-2003), who was also a second-round draft selection. Bernard, who
generated much excitement while amassing 1209 scrimmage yards as a rookie,
has an undetermined status for New Orleans as the practice week begins. For
the season, Bernard has rushed 109-for-446 (4.1) with five TDs (tied for team
lead) and caught 22-for-179 (8.1), ranking fourth on the team in receptions. On
Sept. 14 vs. Atlanta, his 27 rushing attempts and 169 yards from scrimmage
were both career highs. Bernard tallied his first career 100-yard rushing game on
Oct. 12 vs. Carolina, rushing 18-for-137 (7.6), with an 89-yard TD run. The 89yard run was the longest of Bernard’s career, the second-longest rush in Bengals
history and the longest rush in the NFL this season. His 56 receptions last
season set a club record for a RB. Short of stature but strong and quick, he
showed the ability to create highlight-reel plays in the open field both as a rusher
and a receiver. Fifth-year pro Cedric Peerman played in every Bengals game
last season, and has played in each of the first nine games this season. He had
two rushes for minus-two yards vs. Cleveland. On the season, Peerman has
rushed 12-for-22 and has three catches for 27 yards. Peerman is an outstanding
special teams player as well, currently tied for the team lead with seven special
teams stops this season. Second-year pro Rex Burkhead of Nebraska saw
action on offense vs. Cleveland for the second consecutive game. He rushed
four-for-12 and had two catches for three yards. Burkhead has played in four
games on the season and also has a special teams tackle. He suffered a knee
strain Aug. 16 vs. the Jets and missed the final two preseason games and the
first three regular-season games. Overall, he has been inactive for five games
(coaches’ decision for Games 4 and 7). Burkhead was on the roster all last
season but played in only one game. At Nebraska, he totaled 35 TDs, 3329
rushing yards, and 14 games of 100 or more rushing yards.
Wide receivers: The Bengals are young, talented and already
accomplished on the front line at wide receiver. Leading the pack again is fourthyear pro A.J. Green, who has claimed a place among the elite active wideouts in
pro football. Against Cleveland, Green played in his second straight game after
missing the previous three with a toe injury. He caught three-for-23 vs.
Cleveland. For the season, Green has caught 23-for-381 with three TDs, and
has rushed two-for-two. Green’s 260 receptions through 2013 were the most in
NFL history for a player over his first three seasons (Anquan Boldin second at
259), and his 3833 receiving yards were second-most for a player in seasons 13, trailing only Randy Moss (4163). Green seeks his fourth straight Pro Bowl
berth in 2014, and in the last two seasons he has been a second-team choice on
the Associated Press All-Pro team. Third-year pro Mohamed Sanu has been a
key cog for the Bengals offense this season, stepping up due to injuries to some
primary playmakers. Sanu caught only two-for-20 vs. Cleveland, but he had
averaged 98.5 yards for the four previous games. For the season, he has caught
41-for-648 with four TDs, leading the team in all major receiving categories. His
receiving yardage total ranks 8th in the AFC and 15th in the NFL. He has rushed
four-for-40 on the season, and his 688 scrimmage yards leads the team. He has
also exhibited his passing skills this season, going two-for-two for 68 yards with a
TD. On Sept. 21 vs. Tennessee he tossed an 18-yard TD pass to Andy Dalton,
the first passing TD by a wide receiver in Bengals history. He completed a 50yard pass on Sept. 14 vs. Atlanta. He caught 10-for-120 with a TD — his first
100-yard receiving game — on Oct. 12 vs. Carolina. Sanu also caught a
successful two-point conversion attempt on Sept. 7 at Baltimore. He has rushed
three-for-31. Brandon Tate is another veteran in the WR mix. He has
contributed mainly as a kick returner in past seasons as a Bengal but has seen
significant action on offense through the first nine games (three starts). He did
not have any offensive statistics vs. Cleveland, but for the season, Tate has
caught 14-for-159 with a TD, including a 50-yard reception from Sanu on Sept.
14 at Atlanta. He has rushed three-for-21. Dane Sanzenbacher, a fourth-year
pro for 2014, was inactive (coaches’ decision) for the Cleveland contest. He has
played in seven games (one start), and has caught seven-for-87 on the season.
Rookie seventh-round draft choice James Wright of LSU was an excellent
special teams contributor in college and showed well as a receiver in the
preseason and at practice. Wright has played in eight games, and he had a 13yard rush on a reverse play against Cleveland. He forced a fumble of
Cleveland’s Jim Leonhard on a punt return, a fumble that was recovered by the
Bengals and led to their only points for the game. He has one catch on the
season, a 24-yard catch against Carolina to put the Bengals in field goal position
late in overtime. He has two rushes for 24 yards on the season. Fourth-year pro
Greg Little, signed on Oct. 13, has played in the last four Bengals games. He
had one catch for eight yards against Cleveland. He has caught five-for-63 this
season. Little played in every game for the Browns from 2011-13, with 41 starts,
and totaled 155 receptions for 1821 yards and eight TDs.
Tight ends/H-back: Fifth-year pro Jermaine Gresham caught
three-for-29 vs. Cleveland. Gresham has started this season’s first nine games
and has caught 36-for-276, ranking second on the team in receptions and third in
receiving yards. Gresham is the first Bengals TE to log three consecutive
seasons of 50 or more catches, spanning 2010-12, and last year he had 46
catches, just short of tying Mike Ditka as the only other NFL player to hit 50 in his
first four seasons. Gresham teamed last season with Tyler Eifert to set a clubrecord receptions total by TEs (88), and the receiving yardage total by TEs (915)
ranked third in club annals. Hopes were high for the Gresham-Eifert tandem this
season, but Eifert (first-round draft pick in 2013) suffered an elbow injury in the
season opener at Baltimore and has been placed on the Reserve/Injured list. He
was designated to possibly return this season, but head coach Marvin Lewis said
last week that Eifert may not play again until next year. Eifert is eligible to return
now, but he has not practiced since the injury. H-back Ryan Hewitt was the lone
college free agent to make the 53-man roster. Hewitt, a product of Stanford, has
played in the first nine games of the season, with five starts at H-Back. He had
no offensive statistics vs. Cleveland, and on the season has caught three-for-18
and rushed once for no gain. He did have a special teams tackle against the
Browns. Hewitt has been praised by the coaching staff as a developing player
with strong potential. Second-year TE Kevin Brock had one catch for four yards
vs. Cleveland. He has played in Games 3-9 and has two catches for one yard
this season. Brock, in his second stint with the Bengals, was on the roster for the
2013 Wild Card Playoff and during the ’14 offseason and preseason.
Offensive linemen: The line has led team pass protection that has
allowed 12 sacks this season, tied for third-fewest in the NFL through Week 10.
Cincinnati’s tackles are LOT Andrew Whitworth and ROT Andre Smith.
Whitworth returns to LOT after finishing last season at guard, due to injuries
elsewhere on the line. Whitworth leads the current roster in career Bengals starts
(129 including postseason), and he has started all nine games this season. He
was a Pro Bowl selection in the 2012 season and is one of the team’s prime
locker room leaders. Smith, a sixth-year player, was inactive for Cleveland due to
an ankle injury suffered on Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville. His status for New Orleans
has not been determined. He has started 44 of the team’s last 46 regular-season
and postseason games. He missed all four preseason games while rehabbing
from a concussion, but was able to come back and start the regular-season
opener. Smith was a Bengals first-round draft choice in 2009. Third-year pro
Kevin Zeitler, a 2012 first-round draftee, returned to the starting lineup for
Cleveland after missing the previous game with a calf injury. He has started five
games this season, and was also inactive for Games 3-5 due to a calf strain
suffered in the Sept. 14 game vs. Atlanta. Mike Pollak is in his second Bengals
season and is seen as a starting-quality replacement at any interior line position,
and he has started four games at RG this season. Clint Boling, a fourth-year
pro in 2014, is the starting LG. Boling had started 29 straight games (including
postseason) until he was felled on Dec. 1 of last season by a major knee injury.
Boling made a quicker-than-expected recovery, and saw full action in preseason
and has started the all six games this season. At C, fourth-round draft choice
Russell Bodine of North Carolina has been in the starting role since the opening
of training camp. Among Bengals offensive line rookies not drafted in the first
round, Bodine is bidding to become the first to hold down a starting position for a
season since G Eric Steinbach in 2003, and Steinbach was a second-rounder.
The Bengals made an acquisition to bolster OT depth with the offseason signing
of fifth-year pro Marshall Newhouse as an unrestricted free agent. Newhouse
had 47 games played with 31 starts for Green Bay from 2010-13, plus four
playoff game appearances with two starts. He started at ROT for the Cleveland
game, replacing the injured Smith. He also started on Sept. 21 vs. Tennessee as
an extra blocking TE. Newhouse started all four preseason games and has seen
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(Position by position, continued)
action in eight of the first nine games this season. Second-year OT Tanner
Hawkinson and first-year G/C T.J. Johnson both cracked the 53-man roster.
Hawkinson played on special teams vs. Cleveland, and Johnson was activeDNP. Hawkinson has played in three games this season. He was on the Bengals
roster for all of 2013 but played in only one game. Johnson spent the entire 2013
season on the Bengals practice squad, and he has played in one game this
season — the Tennessee game — which marked his NFL debut.
Defensive linemen: The Bengals defensive line has been
recognized in recent seasons as one of the NFL’s best, and plenty of talent has
returned for 2014. Fifth-year DT Geno Atkins, a first-team All-Pro in 2012 and
’13, is back for ’14 after a knee injury (ACL tear) cost him the last seven games
of last season. Atkins has shown week-to-week progress in becoming the player
he was before the injury. He had only one tackle vs. Cleveland, but it was
certainly a highlight play. Atkins busted through the line and tackled Browns QB
Brian Hoyer for a loss of four on a play that was designed as a handoff. Atkins
has started all nine games this season, and he has 19 tackles (four for-loss),
including 1.5 sacks, one pass defensed and four quarterback hits. Atkins has
had few if any NFL peers as an interior pass rusher, with 26 sacks in 41 games
over 2011-13. Alongside Atkins for the fourth straight year is NT Domata Peko,
a team leader on the field and in the locker room. Peko has led the line in tackles
for most of his previous eight Bengals seasons. He logged three tackles vs.
Cleveland. He has 33 tackles this season (third on the line), including one sack.
He is the only current Bengal to have started every game the last four seasons.
Last season, defensive ends Carlos Dunlap and Wallace Gilberry tied for the
team lead in sacks (7.5). Dunlap had five tackles, including one for-loss, vs.
Cleveland. For the season, he leads the line in tackles (38), including a teamhigh eight for-loss, and leads the team with 4.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits.
Dunlap also has a forced fumble and a fumble recovery and one pass defensed.
Gilberry has started all nine games, and he had three tackles vs. Cleveland. On
the season, he ranks second on the line with 34 tackles (one for-loss), including
1.5 sacks, two passes defensed and six QB hits (second on team). Gilberry
collected his 7.5 sacks last season while starting only two games, and he has
moved up in 2014 in the No. 1 RDE spot. He had 1.5 sacks in Week 1 at
Baltimore on the final two defensive plays of the game, clinching Cincinnati’s
victory. DE Robert Geathers is back for an 11th Bengals season and is set to
play his 150th Bengals game (including postseason) this week. Geathers was
limited to two games last season by an elbow injury. Geathers has played in the
line rotation in Games 1-9, with 13 tackles (two for loss), one sack, an INT, two
passes defensed and five quarterback hits. Cincinnati’s depth at DT has been
led by a pair of third-year pros in Brandon Thompson and Devon Still.
Thompson led the line with six tackles vs. Cleveland. He has played in two
consecutive games after missing five games due to a knee injury suffered in
Week 2. He has 12 tackles on the season. Thompson started seven games in
2013 after the injury to Atkins. Still has played in eight games this season and
has 17 tackles, including three vs. Cleveland. Still was on the practice squad for
Game 1 and one signed to the active roster prior to Game 2. Second-year DE
Margus Hunt had two tackles, including one for-loss vs. Cleveland. Hunt has
played in the line rotation in Games 1-9 and has six tackles on defense, including
one sack, one on special teams and a pass defensed. He led the Bengals with
four sacks during the preseason. The 6-8, 290-pounder has tremendous physical
potential and played in 10 games as a rookie last season. His only limitation has
been football experience, as he’s a native of Estonia and had never played
football before taking it up at 2009 at Southern Methodist University, where he
initially had arrived on a track and field scholarship. Yet another promising DE
prospect is rookie Will Clarke, third-round draft choice from West Virginia.
Clarke has the size and stature (6-6, 271) the Bengals seek at DE and is the only
player in West Virginia history to win three “Iron Mountaineer” awards for
excellence in the weight room. Clarke has been inactive (coaches’ decision) for
eight of nine games this season. He made his NFL debut in the Sept. 21
Tennessee game (no statistics). He finished the preseason with nine tackles and
a sack.
Linebackers: Third-year pro Emmanuel Lamur led the team with 11
tackles vs. Cleveland and has re-taken the team tackles lead he had held earlier
this season. Lamur has 60 stops, with S Reggie Nelson second at 59. Lamur is
the No. 1 SLB, big and athletic at 6-4 and 240 pounds. Lamur has started eight
of the first nine games, missing one game due to a shoulder injury. Lamur also
has two INTs (tied for second on team), seven passes defensed (leads front
seven) and two QB hits. Cincinnati’s linebacker corps is led by 2013 season Pro
Bowl WLB Vontaze Burfict, who truly merits being called a tackling machine
when healthy. He logged 204 tackles last season, most on the team by a margin
of 96, and that followed a rookie season in which his 174 stops led the team by
22. This season, however, his playing time has been limited by concussions and
later a neck strain, and now a knee surgery. Burfict suffered a knee injury on Oct.
26 vs. Baltimore and had arthroscopic knee surgery on Oct. 29. He has missed
the last two games, and his status for New Orleans is uncertain. Burfict missed
Games 3-4 and parts of Games 1-2 due to concussions, as well as part of Game
6 due to a neck strain. For the season, Burfict has 29 tackles, a forced fumble, a
fumble recovery and two passes defensed. He had a pass defensed vs. Atlanta
that led to an INT by CB Leon Hall. Burfict already ranks among the top college
free agent finds in Bengals history, a once-touted star at Arizona State whose
draft stock had tumbled due to raps for undisciplined play and poor physical
shape, raps he has disproven as a pro. Second on the Bengals in tackles the last
three seasons has been MLB Rey Maualuga, a sixth-year pro in 2014. But
Maualuga has been inactive each of the last four games due to a hamstring
injury suffered in the Oct. 12 contest vs. Carolina. His status going forward is
uncertain. Maualuga started the first five games of the season and has 19
tackles. He had 110 tackles last season. Prior to this season, Maualuga had
started 13 or more games each season since joining the Bengals in 2009 as a
second-round draft choice. Fourth-year pro Vincent Rey has played in every
game, with six starts (at WLB in place of Burfict for Games 3-4 and 8-9, and at
MLB for Maualuga in Games 6-7). He started at WLB in place of Burfict vs.
Cleveland, and he tied for second on the team with 10 tackles. For the season,
Rey has recorded 53 tackles and three passes defensed. His 16 tackles on Oct.
19 at Indianapolis is the highest single-game total for a Bengals player this
season. Rey broke out last season with 54 tackles, 4.0 sacks, and two INTs (one
for a TD). On Nov. 10 of last season at Baltimore, he became the first (and still
only) Bengal with three sacks and an INT in the same contest. MLB Nico
Johnson started in place of Maualuga vs. Cleveland and tied for the team lead
with 10 tackles (one for-loss). He has played in each of the last four games (two
starts), and he has 11 tackles on defense (two for-loss) and three special teams
tackles. A 2013 fourth round draft choice by Kansas City, Johnson spent the
entire ’13 season on the Chiefs roster, playing in seven games, and had seven
tackles. He played in all four preseason games this season with the Chiefs. He
was signed by the Bengals off the Chiefs practice squad on Oct. 15. OLB
Jayson DiManche has played in all nine games, with one start at SLB as an
injury replacement. He has logged seven tackles (one for-loss) on defense, two
special teams tackles and one quarterback hit on the season. DiManche played
in every game last season after making the roster as a college free agent, and
he finished second in special teams tackles (12) while logging six tackles on
defense. Rookie OLB Marquis Flowers, the sixth-round pick out of Arizona, has
played in every game this season, and he has four tackles on defense, two on
special teams and a pass defensed. Flowers played in all four preseason games
and logged 10 tackles, tying for third on the team.
Defensive backs: The starting safeties from last year’s third-ranked
NFL defense return for 2014, and there is depth at the position as well. Eighthyear pro Reggie Nelson has been a Bengals starter since late 2010, and has yet
again been a key contributor for the defense this season. Nelson had eight
tackles, a quarterback hit and two passes defensed vs. Cleveland. He ranks
second on the team with 59 tackles (three for-loss), including 1.5 sacks, two
INTs (tied for second on team), six passes defensed and three quarterback hits.
He’s a hard hitter and has logged 13 INTs for his Bengals career. He led the
team in INTs in 2011 and tied for the team lead in ’12. SS George Iloka, a thirdyear pro, had eight tackles, a QB hit and a pass defensed vs. Cleveland. For the
season, Iloka has 47 tackles, three INTs (leads team) and eight passes
defensed. Iloka had his first two INTs off of Matt Ryan, on Sept. 14 vs. Atlanta.
The Bengals also have two other safeties with NFL credentials. Taylor Mays, a
fifth-year player, had played in 25 straight Bengals games (including postseason)
before a shoulder injury sidelined him at midseason last year. Mays has played
in all nine games this season, primarily on special teams, and he has four special
teams tackles. On Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville, Mays blocked a Bryan Anger punt
through the end zone resulting in a safety for the Bengals. Aiming for a bigger
role at S in 2014 is second-year pro Shawn Williams. He has played in all nine
games this season, and ranks third on the team with six special teams tackles,
including one vs. Cleveland. He recovered a fumble by Browns punt returner Jim
Leonhard, setting up the Bengals only score vs. Cleveland. A third-round draft
pick in 2013, Williams played in every game and led the team in special teams
tackles (14).The Bengals are more than two-deep in the prime depth-chart spots
at corner, with four well-credentialed veterans and a rookie first-round draft
choice. The incumbents at the starting spots are LCB Terence Newman and
RCB Leon Hall. Newman has started all nine games at LCB, and he had five
tackles vs. Cleveland. For the season, Newman ranks fourth on the team with 50
tackles, and he ranks tied for second on the team with eight passes defensed.
Hall has started Games 1-8 at RCB, but he missed the Cleveland game due to a
concussion suffered Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville. He may be able to return to action
— 13 —
(Position by position, continued)
at New Orleans. Hall has 39 tackles, an INT and four passes defensed on the
season. Hall was limited to five games last year, his season ended by an Achilles
tear. Hall was a Bengals first-round draft choice in 2007, and his 24 career INTs
rank fifth in club history. Eighth-year vet CB Adam Jones has played in every
game this season, and he started at RCB in place of Hall for the Cleveland
game. He had eight tackles and a pass defensed. For the season, Jones leads
the team in passes defensed (nine) and has 42 tackles. He also has one INT and
one fumble recovery. Last season, Jones tied for the team lead in INTs (three)
and led the team in passes defensed (18). CB Dre Kirkpatrick, a first-round
Cincinnati 2012 draft choice, had three tackles on defense and one on special
teams vs. Cleveland. Kirkpatrick has played Games 1-9 and has eight tackles on
defense, and he is tied for the team lead with seven special teams tackles. He
teamed with WR James Wright last week to down a punt at the Cleveland threeyard line. Primed to challenge the vets for playing time at CB is 2014 first-round
draft choice Darqueze Dennard of Michigan State. Dennard was a USA Today
first-team All-American last season while helping lead the Spartans to a No. 3
national ranking and a No. 1 ranking in fewest yards allowed. Dennard returned
to action vs. Cleveland (no statistics) after missing the previous game due to a
hamstring injury. Dennard has played in Games 2-7 and 9, and has five tackles,
including a sack on defense, and is tied for fourth on the team with five special
teams tackles. CB Chris Lewis-Harris has been on the roster for the last seven
games, and he was active-DNP vs. Cleveland. He has played in one game on
the season, and has been inactive for five contests.
Special teams: The Bengals’ specialist trio from last season returns.
P Kevin Huber has had a very good season thus far, and that continued vs.
Cleveland. Huber punted eight times for a gross average of 49.8 and a net of
45.4, with two inside-20 kicks and one touchback. For the season, his gross
average is 47.5 and his net is 44.3. His net leads the NFL for the second straight
week, and his gross ranks third, up from an eighth place ranking last week. He
has 18 inside-20 kicks and three touchbacks, ranking sixth in the league for
differential (plus-15). Huber’s well-placed kicks have helped the Bengals rank
third in the NFL in lowest punt return average by opponents (5.1). On Oct. 19 at
Indianapolis, Huber’s 11 punts tied a franchise record, and the 558 punt yards
surpassed the old franchise record of 483, set by Dave Lewis in 1971. Huber
holds franchise career records for gross punting average (44.6) and net average
(39.7), and he also holds the season records for both categories, set in 2012
(46.6 gross and 42.0 net). K Mike Nugent made his lone FG attempt vs.
Cleveland, hitting from 43 yards in the second quarter. He is 15-for-21 on field
goal attempts and 20-for-20 on extra points for the season. Nugent also handles
kickoffs for the Bengals, and 43 of his 45 kickoffs have reached the end zone,
with 15 touchbacks. Nugent made five first half field goals in Week 1 at
Baltimore, tying an NFL record for field goals made in a half. It also tied a
personal career high for field goals made in a game. Nugent had two gamewinning field goals in the final two minutes last season. He holds club season
records for points (132) and field goals (33), both set in 2011. LS Clark Harris
has played in every Bengals game since signing in October of 2009. He has had
no unplayable snaps, with his Bengals total now standing at 788 (417 punts and
371 place kicks). Harris has one special teams tackle on the season. CB Adam
Jones returned two kickoffs for a 27.5 average and one punt for four yards vs.
Cleveland. He ranks second in the NFL in both kickoff return average (31.9) and
punt return average (14.8). He had a 97-yard kickoff return on Oct. 12 vs.
Carolina which stands as the longest play in Bengals history to not go for a TD.
He has punt returns of 47 and 45 yards on the season. He has five career punt
returns for TDs. WR Brandon Tate has been the team’s primary punt returner
and kickoff returner in recent seasons. He returned three punts for an average of
7.0 yards vs. Cleveland. He ranks third in Bengals history in average yards per
kickoff return (24.50), and fifth in punt return average (9.63). He ranked sixth in
the AFC last season in kickoff return average (26.1) and punt return average
(9.3). On coverage teams vs. Cleveland, WR James Wright forced a fumble of
Browns punt returner Jim Leonhard, and it was recovered by Bengals S Shawn
Williams. CB Dre Kirkpatrick and HB Cedric Peerman are tied for the team
lead with seven special teams tackles on the season.
— 14 —
IMPORTANT DATES
Nov. 11, 2014 — Signing period ends at 4 p.m. Eastern, for Franchise Players
who are eligible to receive Offer Sheets.
Nov. 11, 2014 — Deadline for clubs to sign by 4 p.m. Eastern, their unsigned
Franchise and Transition Players, including Franchise
Players who were eligible to receive Offer Sheets until this
date. If still unsigned after this date, such players are
prohibited from playing in NFL in 2014.
Nov. 11, 2014 — Deadline for clubs to sign by 4 p.m. Eastern, their
Unrestricted Free Agents to whom June 1 tender was made.
If still unsigned after this date, such players are prohibited
from playing in NFL in 2014.
Nov. 11, 2014 — Deadline for clubs to sign by 4 p.m. Eastern, their Restricted
Free Agents to whom June 1 tender was made. If such
players remain unsigned, they are prohibited from playing in
NFL in 2014.
Nov. 11, 2014 — Deadline for clubs to sign Drafted players by 4 p.m. Eastern.
If such players remain unsigned, they are prohibited from
playing in NFL in 2014.
Nov. 28, 2014 — Deadline for reinstatement of players in Reserve List
categories of Retired, Did Not Report, and Exclusive Rights,
and of players who were placed on Reserve/Left Squad in a
previous season.
Dec. 26, 2014 — Deadline for waiver requests in 2014, except for “special
waiver requests,” which have a 10-day claiming period,
with termination or assignment delayed until after the Super
Bowl.
Dec. 29, 2014 — Clubs may begin signing free-agent players for the 2015
season.
Jan. 3-4, 2015 — Wild Card Playoff Games.
Jan. 10-11, 2015 — Divisional Playoff Games.
Jan. 18, 2015 — AFC and NFC Championship Games.
Jan. 25, 2015 — Pro Bowl, Glendale, Arizona.
Feb. 1, 2015 — Super Bowl XLIX, University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale,
Arizona.
— 15 —
THE LAST BENGALS-SAINTS MEETINGS
2006 SEASON
2010 SEASON
WEEK 11, GAME 10
WEEK 13, GAME 12
Cincinnati Bengals 31, New Orleans Saints 16
New Orleans Saints 34, Cincinnati Bengals 30
Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006 at Louisiana Superdome
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010 at Paul Brown Stadium
The Bengals withstood a 595-yard offensive output by New Orleans, the third-most
ever by a Cincinnati opponent, and escaped the Superdome in relatively easy fashion by a
two-TD margin. The key for the Bengals came in the form of four takeaways on defense. S
Madieu Williams and S Kevin Kaesviharn each quelled Saints scoring threats with endzone INTs in the first half. And in the fourth quarter, rookie reserve S Ethan Kilmer took his
first career INT 52 yards for a TD and a 31-10 Cincinnati lead. The Bengals amassed a
healthy 385 yards of net offense, including 190 receiving yards with three TDs for WR
Chad Johnson. Together with his Bengals-record 260 receiving yards the previous week
against San Diego, Johnson set an NFL record for most receiving yards in back-to-back
games (450). QB Carson Palmer’s 127.8 passer rating for the game was his second
straight over 125, and HB Rudi Johnson rushed for 111 yards on 27 carries. The Bengals
improved to 5-5, while the Saints fell to 6-4.
SCORE BY PERIODS
1
2
3
4
OT
PTS.
Cincinnati................................................... 7
3
0
21
—
31
New Orleans ............................................. 7
0
0
9
—
16
TEAM — SCORING PLAY
QTR.-LEFT
Cin. — C.Johnson 41 pass from C.Palmer (S.Graham kick) .................................. 1-13:08
N.O. — J.Horn 72 pass from D.Brees (J.Carney kick) ............................................... 1-8:20
Cin. — S.Graham 21 field goal .................................................................................. 2-7:30
N.O. — J.Carney 24 field goal .................................................................................. 4-13:39
Cin. — C.Johnson 60 pass from C.Palmer (S.Graham kick) .................................. 4-10:23
Cin. — C.Johnson 4 pass from C.Palmer (S.Graham kick) ...................................... 4-7:37
Cin. — E.Kilmer 52 interception return (S.Graham kick) ........................................... 4-6:14
N.O. — T.Copper 27 pass from D.Brees (kick blocked)............................................. 4-4:21
Missed FGs: None. Attendance: 68,001. Time: 3:04.
TEAM STATISTICS
CIN.
N.O.
First downs ..................................................................................................... 15
29
Third down conversions-attempts ............................................................... 4-11
6-12
Total net yards ............................................................................................. 385
595
Net yards rushing ......................................................................................... 119
91
Net yards passing ........................................................................................ 266
504
Pass attempts-completions-interceptions .............................................. 22-14-1
52-37-3
Sacks against-yards lost ............................................................................... 1-9
2-6
Punts-average .......................................................................................... 6-41.3
5-37.2
Punt returns-yards....................................................................................... 3-17
4-30
Kickoff returns-yards ................................................................................... 4-47
5-103
Penalties-yards ........................................................................................... 2-10
4-25
Fumbles-lost.................................................................................................. 1-0
2-1
Time of possession ................................................................................... 26:27
33:33
RUSHING
CIN.
ATT YDS LG TD
N.O.
ATT YDS LG TD
R.Johnson
27 111 22
0
R.Bush
13
51
8
0
J.Johnson
1
6
6
0
D.McAllister
10
40
8
0
C.Johnson
1
3
3
0
C.Palmer
2
-1
0
0
TOTALS
31 119 22
0
TOTALS
23
91
8
0
PASSING
CIN.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
N.O.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
C.Palmer
22
14 275 3-1
D.Brees
52
37 510 2-3
TOTALS
22
14 275 3-1
TOTALS
52
37 510 2-3
RECEIVING
CIN.
NO YDS LG TD
N.O.
NO YDS LG TD
C.Johnson
6 190 60t
3
D.Henderson
9 169 44
0
C.Henry
2
24 18
0
R.Bush
8
58 13
0
T.Houshmandzadeh 2
15
8
0
T.Copper
6
87 27t
1
R.Kelly
1
32 32
0
A.Stecker
5
53 32
0
R.Johnson
1
7
7
0
J.Horn
3
93 72t
1
C.Perry
1
5
5
0
D.McAllister
3
29 12
0
K.Watson
1
2
2
0
B.Miller
2
11
7
0
M.Campbell
1
10 10
0
TOTALS
14 275 60t
3
TOTALS
37 510 72t
2
DEFENSE
Cincinnati (coaches’ stats) — ST-AT-TT: C.Miller 13-3-16, L.Johnson 8-6-14,
K.Kaesviharn 7-2-9, J.Joseph 7-0-7, T.James 3-4-7, R.Jeanty 3-2-5, M.Williams 3-2-5,
B.Robinson 1-4-5, J.Thornton 3-1-4, J.Smith 2-2-4, E.Kilmer 2-1-3, R.Geathers 0-3-3,
D.Peko 1-1-2, K.Ratliff 1-1-2, S.Smith 1-1-2, A.Frazier 1-0-1, S.Adams 0-1-1. SKS.-YDS.:
K.Kaesviharn 1.5-4.5, R.Geathers 0.5-1.5. INT.-YDS.: E.Kilmer 1-52, M.Williams 1-25,
K.Kaesviharn 1-0. PD: M.Williams 2, T.James 1, L.Johnson 1, K.Kaesviharn 1, E.Kilmer 1,
C.Miller 1. FF: R.Jeanty 1. FR-YDS.: C.Miller 1-0.
New Orleans (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: O.Stoutmire 6-2-8, S.Fujita 4-4-8,
S.Shanle 5-2-7, J.Bullocks 6-0-6, F.Thomas 5-0-5, M.Simoneau 3-2-5, H.Thomas 4-0-4,
W.Smith 2-2-4, C.Grant 2-2-4, R.Leisle 2-0-2, M.McKenzie 1-0-1, W.Whitehead 1-0-1,
J.Craft 1-0-1, B.Young 0-1-1. SKS.-YDS.: W.Smith 1-9. INT.-YDS.: M.Simoneau 1-0. PD:
C.Grant 1, M.Simoneau 1, O.Stoutmire 1. FF: F.Thomas 1. FR-YDS.: None.
The Bengals temporarily overcame a 20-6 lead by the defending NFL champions,
rallying to go ahead 30-27 when rookie K Clint Stitser, playing his first NFL game, nailed a
47-yard FG with 4:25 left. But the Saints, who thrived on big plays all day, used a 42-yard
Drew Brees-to-Robert Meacham completion to spark a 68-yard drive for a game-winning
TD with 0:31 remaining. The Saints gained 244 of their 436 yards on the day on five plays
— a 55-yard rush and passes of 42, 43, 52 and 52 yards. On its final drive, New Orleans
faced a fourth-and-two from the Bengals’ seven, but got a first down when Cincinnati DT
Pat Sims was called for an offside penalty. The Saints scored on the next play, on a threeyard pass from Brees to WR Marques Colston. The Bengals lost for the ninth straight game
and fell to 2-10. The Saints won their fifth in a row and improved to 9-3.
SCORE BY PERIODS
1
2
3
4
OT
PTS.
New Orleans .............................................. 3
10
7
14
—
34
Cincinnati ................................................... 0
6
6
18
—
30
TEAM — SCORING PLAY
QTR.-LEFT
N.O. — G.Hartley 48 field goal ................................................................................... 1-8:44
Cin. — C.Stitser 29 field goal ................................................................................... 2-13:03
N.O. — C.Ivory 55 run (G.Hartley kick) .................................................................... 2-12:02
Cin. — C.Stitser 23 field goal ..................................................................................... 2-9:41
N.O. — G.Hartley 24 field goal ................................................................................... 2-0:13
N.O. — C.Ivory 1 run (G.Hartley kick) ........................................................................ 3-9:06
Cin. — T.Owens 5 pass from C.Palmer (kick failed WR) .......................................... 3-3:54
Cin. — C.Benson 1 run (C.Stitser kick) ................................................................... 4-13:38
N.O. — R.Meachem 52 pass from D.Brees (G.Hartley kick) ................................... 4-12:13
Cin. — C.Benson 4 run (C.Palmer-J.Gresham pass) ................................................ 4-8:08
Cin. — C.Stitser 47 field goal ..................................................................................... 4-4:25
N.O. — M.Colston 3 pass from D.Brees (G.Hartley kick) ........................................... 0-0:31
Missed FGs: None. Attendance: 59,963. Time: 3:09.
TEAM STATISTICS
N.O.
CIN.
First downs ..................................................................................................... 19
21
Third down conversions-attempts ................................................................. 1-8
5-14
Total net yards.............................................................................................. 436
311
Net yards rushing ......................................................................................... 146
96
Net yards passing......................................................................................... 290
215
Pass attempts-completions-interceptions .............................................. 29-24-1
33-23-0
Sacks against-yards lost ............................................................................. 2-23
3-34
Punts-average .......................................................................................... 3-45.3
2-56.5
Punt returns-yards ......................................................................................... 1-2
2-30
Kickoff returns-yards ................................................................................. 7-116
6-179
Penalties-yards........................................................................................ 11-100
7-43
Fumbles-lost .................................................................................................. 1-0
1-0
Time of possession ................................................................................... 27:27
32:33
RUSHING
N.O.
ATT YDS LG TD
CIN.
ATT YDS LG TD
C.Ivory
15 117 55t
2
C.Benson
19
49
7
2
R.Bush
5
26 10
0
B.Scott
6
43 18
0
J.Jones
2
3
4
0
B.Leonard
1
4
4
0
TOTALS
22 146 55t
2
TOTALS
26
96 18
2
PASSING
N.O.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
CIN.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
D.Brees
29
24 313 2-1
C.Palmer
33
23 249 1-0
TOTALS
29
24 313 2-1
TOTALS
33
23 249 1-0
RECEIVING
N.O.
NO YDS LG TD
CIN.
NO YDS LG TD
L.Moore
6
36
9
0
T.Owens
6
47 20
1
R.Meachem
3 106 52t
1
C.Johnson
5
96 33
0
J.Graham
3
72 52
0
J.Shipley
4
25
8
0
M.Colston
3
65 43
1
J.Gresham
3
43 23
0
J.Jones
3
6
6
0
B.Leonard
3
24 14
0
R.Bush
3
0
9
0
C.Benson
2
14 11
0
J.Shockey
2
28 18
0
D.Henderson
1
0
0
0
TOTALS
24 313 52t
2
TOTALS
23 249 33
1
DEFENSE
New Orleans (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: R.Harper 5-4-9, J.Vilma 3-5-8,
T.Porter 5-2-7, M.Jenkins 4-2-6, J.Greer 4-1-5, T.Hargrove 3-1-4, S.Shanle 3-1-4,
D.Sharper 2-2-4, D.Clark 2-1-3, S.Ellis 2-1-3, W.Smith 2-0-2, A.Brown 1-1-2, R.Ayodele 10-1, J.Charleston 1-0-1, M.Mitchell 0-1-1. SKS.-YDS.: R.Harper 1-16, S.Ellis 1-12, J.Vilma
1-6. INT.-YDS.: None. PD: T.Porter 1. FF: S.Ellis 1. FR-YDS.: None.
Cincinnati (coaches’ stats) — ST-AT-TT: D.Jones 6-6-12, C.Ndukwe 4-2-6,
L.Hall 4-1-5, D.Peko 4-1-5, R.Williams 3-2-5, M.Johnson 2-3-5, J.Joseph 4-0-4, J.Wade 31-4, B.Johnson 2-2-4, R.Nelson 2-1-3, C.Dunlap 1-2-3, R.Geathers 1-2-3, R.Maualuga 0-33, G.Atkins 2-0-2, P.Sims 2-0-2, K.Rivers 0-1-1. SKS.-YDS.: C.Dunlap 1.5-19, G.Atkins
0.5-4. INT.-YDS.: R.Nelson 1-7. PD: R.Nelson 1. FF: R.Geathers 1. FR-YDS.: None.
— 16 —
2014 GAME SUMMARIES
WEEK 1, GAME 1
Cincinnati Bengals 23, Baltimore Ravens 16
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014 at M&T Bank Stadium
WEEK 2, GAME 2
Cincinnati Bengals 24, Atlanta Falcons 10
Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium
The Bengals were dangerously close to a gut-wrenching opening loss when Baltimore
scored on an 80-yard TD pass from QB Joe Flacco to WR Steve Smith with 5:46 left,
taking a 16-15 lead after trailing 15-0. But the Bengals responded on the second play of
their next possession with a 77-yard scoring bomb from QB Andy Dalton to WR A.J. Green
at the 4:58 mark. The Ravens had one more shot, moving to a third-and-four at the
Cincinnati 16-yard line with 1:09 left, but the Bengals sacked Flacco on the next two plays
to secure the win. DE Wallace Gilberry had one of the sacks and shared the other with
S Reggie Nelson. The Bengals dominated the game well into the third quarter but could not
cash a TD, moving ahead 15-0 on five Mike Nugent FGs in the first half. Nugent tied the
NFL record for FGs in a half.
SCORE BY PERIODS
1
2
3
4
OT
PTS.
Cincinnati................................................... 6
9
0
8
—
23
Baltimore ................................................... 0
0
7
9
—
16
TEAM — SCORING PLAY
QTR.-LEFT
Cin. — M.Nugent 49 field goal ................................................................................. 1-10:25
Cin. — M.Nugent 22 field goal ................................................................................... 1-1:25
Cin. — M.Nugent 28 field goal ................................................................................. 2-10:13
Cin. — M.Nugent 46 field goal ................................................................................... 2-4:36
Cin. — M.Nugent 38 field goal ................................................................................... 2-2:07
Balt. — J.Forsett 13 run (J.Tucker kick) ..................................................................... 3-2:20
Balt. — J.Tucker 38 field goal................................................................................... 4-10:28
Balt. — S.Smith 80 pass from J.Flacco (run failed) ................................................... 4-5:46
Cin. — A.Green 77 pass from A.Dalton (M.Sanu pass from A.Dalton)..................... 4-4:58
Missed FGs: M. Nugent (45B), J.Tucker (55WR).
Attendance: 70,925. Time: 3:14.
TEAM STATISTICS
CIN.
BALT.
First downs ..................................................................................................... 16
26
Third down conversions-attempts ............................................................... 4-14
8-17
Total net yards ............................................................................................. 380
423
Net yards rushing ........................................................................................... 79
94
Net yards passing ........................................................................................ 301
329
Pass attempts-completions-interceptions .............................................. 38-25-0
62-35-1
Sacks against-yards lost ............................................................................... 0-0
3-16
Punts-average .......................................................................................... 4-37.8
4-42.3
Punt returns-yards....................................................................................... 1-45
2-2
Kickoff returns-yards ..................................................................................... 0-0
4-109
Penalties-yards ........................................................................................... 4-45
3-29
Fumbles-lost.................................................................................................. 0-0
2-1
Time of possession ................................................................................... 30:30
29:30
RUSHING
CIN.
ATT YDS LG TD
BALT.
ATT YDS LG TD
G.Bernard
14
48 16
0
J.Forsett
11
70 13t
1
J.Hill
4
19
8
0
B.Pierce
6
17
6
0
A.Green
1
5
5
0
J.Flacco
3
7
3
0
M.Sanu
1
4
4
0
A.Dalton
6
3
3
0
TOTALS
26
79 16
0
TOTALS
20
94 13
1
PASSING
CIN.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
BALT.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
A.Dalton
38
25 301 1-0
J.Flacco
62
35 345 1-1
TOTALS
38
25 301 1-0
TOTALS
62
35 345 1-1
RECEIVING
CIN.
NO YDS LG TD
BALT.
NO YDS LG TD
A.Green
6 131 77t
1
D.Pitta
10
83 23
0
G.Bernard
6
62 32
0
S.Smith
7 118 80t
1
M.Sanu
4
36 13
0
J.Forsett
5
14
6
0
B.Tate
4
19
7
0
O.Daniels
4
34 12
0
T.Eifert
3
37 20
0
K.Aiken
4
30
8
0
J.Gresham
2
16 12
0
T.Smith
3
50 25
0
J.Jones
2
16 11
0
TOTALS
25 301 77t
1
TOTALS
35 345 80t
1
DEFENSE
Cincinnati (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: E.Lamur 5-5-10, R.Nelson 6-3-9,
T.Newman 5-2-7, A.Jones 4-1-5, V.Burfict 4-0-4, G.Iloka 4-0-4, W.Gilberry 3-1-4,
B.Thompson 3-1-4, V.Rey 2-2-4, L.Hall 3-0-3, C.Dunlap 2-1-3, R.Maualuga 1-2-3,
D.Kirkpatrick 2-0-2, D.Peko 0-2-2, G.Atkins 1-0-1, R.Geathers 1-0-1. SKS.-YDS.:
W.Gilberry 1.5-8.5, C.Dunlap 1-4, R.Nelson 0.5-3.5. INT.-YDS.: E.Lamur 1-1. PD: V.Rey 2,
V.Burfict 1, W.Gilberry 1, M.Hunt 1, A.Jones 1, E.Lamur 1, T.Newman 1. FF: V.Burfict 1.
FR-YDS.: 1-0.
Baltimore (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: D.Smith 4-5-9, D.Stewart 4-5-9,
C.Mosley 4-2-6, A.Jackson 5-0-5, C.Brown 4-1-5, J.Smith 2-3-5, T.Suggs 2-3-5, C.Canty 22-4, C.Upshaw 2-1-3, M.Elam 1-2-3, D.Tyson 1-2-3, B.Williams 1-1-2, T.Jernigan 0-2-2,
H.Ngata 0-2-2, E.Dumervil 0-1-1. SKS.-YDS.: None. INT.-YDS.: None. PD: M.Elam 1,
A.Jackson 1, P.McPhee 1, C.Mosley 1, H.Ngata 1, J.Smith 1. FF: None. FR-YDS.: None.
The Bengals started slowly, missing two FGs with the score tied 3-3. But Cincinnati
broke ahead 10-3 late in the second quarter, as a 91-yard drive featured a 46-yard gain by
HB Giovani Bernard on a short pass and a four-yard TD run by Bernard. Bernard had 169
yards from scrimmage (90 rushing and 79 receiving). His 27 rushing attempts topped by 12
his previous career high. Two more TDs in the third quarter sealed the deal as Cincinnati
went ahead 24-3. One of the TDs came on a 76-yard pass from QB Andy Dalton to WR
Mohamed Sanu, as Dalton became the first Bengals QB to complete a pass of 75-plus in
each of two consecutive games. A week earlier, the Falcons had won their opener in OT
against New Orleans with 568 yards of offense. QB Matt Ryan had passed for three TDs
and no INTs against the Saints. But the Bengals held Atlanta to 309 yards and intercepted
three Ryan passes. The victory was Cincinnati’s 10th straight in the regular season at
home, tying a franchise record set in 1988-89. The Bengals completed a second straight
game without allowing a sack or turnover on offense, marking the first time in franchise
history for such a feat in Games 1-2. Cincinnati improved to 2-0 and took an undisputed
one-game lead in the AFC North. Atlanta dropped to 1-1.
SCORE BY PERIODS
1
2
3
4
OT
PTS.
Atlanta ....................................................... 3
0
0
7
—
10
Cincinnati ................................................... 3
7
14
0
—
24
TEAM — SCORING PLAY
QTR.-LEFT
Cin. — M.Nugent 31 field goal ................................................................................... 1-5:19
Atl. — M.Bryant 46 field goal .................................................................................... 1-1:08
Cin. — G.Bernard 4 run (M.Nugent kick) ................................................................... 2-2:11
Cin. — M.Sanu 76 pass from A.Dalton (M.Nugent kick) ......................................... 3-10:58
Cin. — J.Hill 1 run (M.Nugent kick) ............................................................................ 3-6:28
Atl. — J.Jones 14 pass from M.Ryan (M.Bryant kick) .............................................. 4-8:35
Missed FGs: M.Nugent (38WR, 49WL, 55SH).
Attendance: 58,574. Time: 3:11.
TEAM STATISTICS
ATL.
CIN.
First downs ..................................................................................................... 19
21
Third down conversions-attempts ............................................................... 3-12
6-14
Total net yards.............................................................................................. 309
472
Net yards rushing ........................................................................................... 97
170
Net yards passing......................................................................................... 212
302
Pass attempts-completions-interceptions .............................................. 44-24-3
24-16-0
Sacks against-yards lost ............................................................................. 2-19
0-0
Punts-average .......................................................................................... 6-44.3
4-42.8
Punt returns-yards ......................................................................................... 1-7
3-26
Kickoff returns-yards ................................................................................. 4-118
1-29
Penalties-yards............................................................................................ 7-56
7-55
Fumbles-lost .................................................................................................. 0-0
0-0
Time of possession ................................................................................... 27:01
32:59
RUSHING
ATL.
ATT YDS LG TD
CIN.
ATT YDS LG TD
S.Jackson
11
46 13
0
G.Bernard
27
90 12
1
M.Ryan
3
28 12
0
J.Hill
15
74 13
1
J.Rodgers
5
23
9
0
A.Dalton
3
6
4
0
TOTALS
19
97 13
0
TOTALS
45 170 13
2
PASSING
ATL.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
CIN.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
M.Ryan
44
24 231 1-3
A.Dalton
23
15 252 1-0
M.Sanu
1
1 50 0-0
TOTALS
44
24 231 1-3
TOTALS
24
16 302 1-0
RECEIVING
ATL.
NO YDS LG TD
CIN.
NO YDS LG TD
J.Jones
7
88 24
1
G.Bernard
5
79 46
0
R.White
5
42 19
0
M.Sanu
3
84 76t
1
H.Douglas
4
38 16
0
J.Gresham
3
25 19
0
D.Freeman
2
22 18
0
D.Sanzenbacher
2
42 26
0
A.Smith
2
19 15
0
J.Hill
2
22 18
0
L.Toilolo
2
13 10
0
B.Tate
1
50 50
0
S.Jackson
1
7
7
0
D.Hester
1
2
2
0
TOTALS
24 231 24
1
TOTALS
16 302 76t
1
DEFENSE
Atlanta (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: P.Worrilow 6-8-14, J.Bartu 8-1-9, D.Lowery
4-2-6, P.Soliai 4-2-6, K.Biermann 3-3-6, W.Moore 2-4-6, P.Shembo 2-4-6, R.Alford 2-3-5,
J.Massaquoi 2-2-4, J.Babineaux 2-0-2, D.Trufant 2-0-2, R.Hageman 1-1-2, R.McClain 1-12, C.Peters 1-1-2, M.Goodman 0-2-2. SKS.-YDS.: None. INT.-YDS.: None. PD: D.Trufant
1. FF: None. FR-YDS.: None.
Cincinnati (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: T.Newman 7-3-10, E.Lamur 5-3-8,
L.Hall 5-1-6, D.Peko 3-2-5, A.Jones 4-0-4, V.Burfict 2-2-4, R.Nelson 2-2-4, W.Gilberry 3-03, D.Still 2-1-3, C.Dunlap 1-1-2, G.Iloka 1-0-1, G.Atkins 0-1-1, R.Maualuga 0-1-1, V.Rey 01-1. SKS.-YDS.: C.Dunlap 1-10, R.Nelson 1-9. INT.-YDS.: G.Iloka 2-42, L.Hall 1-(-3). PD:
G.Iloka 3, T.Newman 3, L.Hall 2, V.Burfict 1, A.Jones 1, E.Lamur 1, R.Nelson 1. FF: None.
FR-YDS.: None.
— 17 —
WEEK 5, GAME 4
New England Patriots 43, Cincinnati Bengals 17
Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014 at Gillette Stadium
(2014 game summaries, continued)
WEEK 3, GAME 3
Cincinnati Bengals 33, Tennessee Titans 7
Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium
The Bengals broke to a 10-0 lead on the last snap of the first quarter, on one of their
most entertaining plays in recent years, a TD pass from WR Mohamed Sanu to QB Andy
Dalton covering 18 yards. Dalton lateraled to Sanu on an apparent end-around, but Sanu
pulled up and threw back across the field to Dalton, who snatched the ball against tight
coverage from CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson before dashing to the end zone. Dalton became the
first Bengals QB in Bengals history to catch a TD pass, and Sanu became the first Bengals
WR to throw one. It was all Bengals from that point on, as Cincinnati rolled to a 33-0 lead
before allowing a Tennessee TD in the fourth quarter. The Bengals’ defense allowed the
Titans to convert their first two third-down situations and then stopped them on their last 10
opportunities. The victory was Cincinnati’s 11th straight at home in the regular season,
dating back to the 2012 home finale, setting a club record. The Bengals improved to 3-0
and maintained a one-game lead over Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the AFC North. The
Titans fell to 1-2.
SCORE BY PERIODS
1
2
3
4
OT
PTS.
Tennessee ................................................ 0
0
0
7
—
7
Cincinnati................................................. 10
9
7
7
—
33
TEAM — SCORING PLAY
QTR.-LEFT
Cin. — M.Nugent 29 field goal ................................................................................... 1-4:48
Cin. — A.Dalton 18 pass from M.Sanu (M.Nugent kick) ........................................... 1-0:00
Cin. — Tennessee penalized for holding in end zone for Cincinnati team safety..... 2-6:25
Cin. — G.Bernard 1 run (M.Nugent kick)................................................................... 2-3:29
Cin. — G.Bernard 1 run (M.Nugent kick)................................................................... 3-1:58
Cin. — J.Hill 4 run (M.Nugent kick)............................................................................ 4-9:26
Tenn. — S.Greene 1 run (R.Succop kick) .................................................................... 4-6:09
Missed FGs: R.Succop (40WR, 44WR). Attendance: 56,743. Time: 2:56.
TEAM STATISTICS
TENN.
CIN.
First downs ..................................................................................................... 22
25
Third down conversions-attempts ............................................................... 2-12
3-9
Total net yards ............................................................................................. 326
300
Net yards rushing ......................................................................................... 149
116
Net yards passing ........................................................................................ 177
184
Pass attempts-completions-interceptions .............................................. 34-17-2
26-17-1
Sacks against-yards lost ............................................................................... 2-8
0-0
Punts-average .......................................................................................... 4-35.3
4-49.3
Punt returns-yards......................................................................................... 1-1
0-0
Kickoff returns-yards ................................................................................... 2-56
1-18
Penalties-yards ......................................................................................... 11-99
7-50
Fumbles-lost.................................................................................................. 2-0
0-0
Time of possession ................................................................................... 31:16
28:44
RUSHING
TENN.
ATT YDS LG TD
CIN.
ATT YDS LG TD
B.Sankey
10
61 18
0
G.Bernard
14
47 12
2
J.Locker
6
50 29
0
J.Hill
7
39 12
1
S.Greene
10
33 20
1
C.Peerman
5
15
4
0
J.Battle
1
5
5
0
B.Tate
1
12 12
0
D.McCluster
1
0
0
0
A.Dalton
3
3
3
0
R.Hewitt
1
0
0
0
TOTALS
28 149 29
1
TOTALS
31 116 12
3
PASSING
TENN.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
CIN.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
J.Locker
34
17 185 0-2
A.Dalton
23
15 169 0-1
J.Campbell
2
1
-3 0-0
M.Sanu
1
1 18 1-0
TOTALS
34
17 185 0-2
TOTALS
26
17 184 1-1
RECEIVING
TENN.
NO YDS LG TD
CIN.
NO YDS LG TD
K.Wright
5
44 28
0
A.Green
6 102 29
0
D.Walker
4
54 23
0
M.Sanu
5
44 14
0
J.Hunter
3
37 19
0
A.Dalton
1
18 18t
1
C.Stevens
2
26 20
0
G.Bernard
1
7
7
0
D.McCluster
2
15 13
0
R.Hewitt
1
6
6
0
B.Sankey
1
9
9
0
J.Gresham
1
5
5
0
B.Tate
1
5
5
0
K.Brock
1
-3
-3
0
TOTALS
17 185 28
0
TOTALS
17 184 29
1
DEFENSE
Tennessee (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: W.Woodyard 5-4-9, B.Pollard 4-1-5,
J.McCourty 4-1-5, M.Griffin 4-0-4, A.Williamson 2-2-4, B.Wreh-Wilson 3-0-3, J.Casey 2-13, C.Sensabaugh 2-1-3, G.Wilson 2-1-3, S.Hill 1-2-3, K.Wimbley 1-2-3, Z.Gooden 0-3-3,
A.Woods 1-1-2, D.Morgan 1-0-1, S.Phillips 1-0-1, R.Pitoitua 0-1-1. SKS.-YDS.: None. INT.YDS.: G.Wilson 1-0. PD: S.Hill 1, J.McCourty 1, G.Wilson 1, B.Wreh-Wilson 1. FF: None.
FR-YDS.: None.
Cincinnati (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: G.Iloka 7-1-8, C.Dunlap 6-0-6,
R.Nelson 3-3-6, A.Jones 5-0-5, V.Rey 3-0-3, E.Lamur 2-1-3, D.Peko 2-1-3, R.Geathers 12-3, D.Dennard 2-0-2, L.Hall 2-0-2, D.Still 2-0-2, R.Maualuga 1-1-2, G.Atkins 0-2-2,
W.Gilberry 0-2-2, T.Newman 0-2-2, D.Kirkpatrick 1-0-1, M.Hunt 0-1-1. SKS.-YDS.:
C.Dunlap 1-5, D.Dennard 1-3. INT.-YDS.: R.Geathers 1-2, R.Nelson 1-0. PD: R.Geathers
1, G.Iloka 1, A.Jones 1, R.Nelson 1, T.Newman 1. FF: None. FR-YDS.: None.
The Bengals started the Sunday night game as the NFL’s only remaining unbeaten
team (3-0), but New England quickly signaled that the singular status would end. The
Patriots scored TDs on their first two possessions for a 14-0 lead, and the Bengals were
not able to reduce that deficit into single figures. Cincinnati pulled to within 20-10 in the
third quarter, when CB Adam Jones’ 47-yard punt return set up a TD pass from Andy
Dalton to WR Mohamed Sanu, but the Patriots responded with an 86-yard TD drive and
then went up 34-10 when CB Kyle Arrington returned WR Brandon Tate’s fumble of the
ensuing kickoff for a TD. The Patriots churned out 505 yards of net offense, most allowed
by the Bengals since Sept. 16, 2007 at Cleveland, and New England posted a deadly plusthree edge in turnover differential (three fumble recoveries, no giveaways). Though falling
to 3-1 on the season, the Bengals held on to the AFC North Division lead by a half game
over Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The Patriots improved to 3-2.
SCORE BY PERIODS
1
2
3
4
OT
PTS.
Cincinnati ................................................... 0
3
14
0
—
17
New England ........................................... 14
6
14
9
—
43
TEAM — SCORING PLAY
QTR.-LEFT
N.E. — S.Ridley 1 run (S.Gostkowski kick) .............................................................. 1-10:03
N.E. — T.Wright 17 pass from T.Brady (S.Gostkowski kick) ..................................... 1-3:12
Cin. — M.Nugent 23 field goal ................................................................................... 2-4:33
N.E. — S.Gostkowski 48 field goal ............................................................................. 2-1:12
N.E. — S.Gostkowski 19 field goal ............................................................................. 2-0:09
Cin. — M.Sanu 37 pass from A.Dalton (M.Nugent kick) ......................................... 3-11:27
N.E. — R.Gronkowski 16 pass from T.Brady (S.Gostkowski kick) ............................ 3-6:06
N.E. — K.Arrington 9 fumble return (S.Gostkowski kick) ........................................... 3-6:00
Cin. — A.Green 17 pass from A.Dalton (M.Nugent kick) .......................................... 3-3:43
N.E. — S.Gostkowski 23 field goal ........................................................................... 4-14:54
N.E. — S.Gostkowski 47 field goal ............................................................................. 4-7:53
N.E. — S.Gostkowski 35 field goal ............................................................................. 4-2:55
Missed FGs: M.Nugent (52SH). Attendance: 68,756. Time: 3:00.
TEAM STATISTICS
CIN.
N.E.
First downs ..................................................................................................... 17
30
Third down conversions-attempts ................................................................. 0-7
6-16
Total net yards.............................................................................................. 320
505
Net yards rushing ........................................................................................... 79
220
Net yards passing......................................................................................... 241
285
Pass attempts-completions-interceptions .............................................. 29-18-0
35-23-0
Sacks against-yards lost ............................................................................... 1-8
1-7
Punts-average .......................................................................................... 4-41.5
3-40.3
Punt returns-yards ....................................................................................... 2-53
3-12
Kickoff returns-yards ................................................................................. 7-141
1-16
Penalties-yards............................................................................................ 4-37
12-114
Fumbles-lost .................................................................................................. 3-3
1-0
Time of possession ................................................................................... 21:04
38:56
RUSHING
CIN.
ATT YDS LG TD
N.E.
ATT YDS LG TD
G.Bernard
13
62 13
0
S.Ridley
27 113 43
1
A.Dalton
2
16 12
0
S.Vereen
9
90 19
0
J.Hill
2
1
5
0
T.Brady
4
13
6
0
B.Tate
1
0
0
0
J.Develin
2
5
5
0
B.Bolden
1
3
3
0
J.Garoppolo
3
-4
-1
0
TOTALS
18
79 13
0
TOTALS
46 220 43
1
PASSING
CIN.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
N.E.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
A.Dalton
24
15 204 2-0
T.Brady
35
23 292 2-0
J.Campbell
5
3 45 0-0
TOTALS
29
18 249 2-0
TOTALS
35
23 292 2-0
RECEIVING
CIN.
NO YDS LG TD
N.E.
NO YDS LG TD
A.Green
5
81 35
1
R.Gronkowski
6 100 27
1
M.Sanu
5
70 37t
1
T.Wright
5
85 30
1
J.Hill
3
68 38
0
J.Edelman
5
35 14
0
J.Gresham
2
15 12
0
S.Vereen
3
18 14
0
G.Bernard
2
10
7
0
B.LaFell
1
20 20
0
D.Sanzenbacher
1
5
5
0
A.Dobson
1
16 16
0
J.Develin
1
11 11
0
D.Amendola
1
7
7
0
TOTALS
18 249 38
2
TOTALS
23 292 30
2
DEFENSE
Cincinnati (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: G.Iloka 5-4-9, R.Maualuga 5-4-9,
T.Newman 7-1-8, L.Hall 4-4-8, D.Peko 3-5-8, V.Rey 5-2-7, E.Lamur 4-3-7, W.Gilberry 3-47, C.Dunlap 2-3-5, R.Nelson 2-2-4, A.Jones 2-1-3, R.Geathers 1-2-3, G.Atkins 1-1-2, D.Still
0-2-2, D.Kirkpatrick 1-0-1. SKS.-YDS.: R.Geathers 1-7. INT.-YDS.: None. PD: E.Lamur 2,
A.Jones 1. FF: None. FR-YDS.: None.
New England (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: J.Mayo 4-4-8, K.Arrington 4-3-7,
P.Chung 4-2-6, D.Revis 4-1-5, J.Collins 1-3-4, A.Dennard 2-1-3, R.Ninkovich 2-1-3,
Ch.Jones 1-2-3, L.Ryan 1-0-1, C.Walker 1-0-1, M.Buchanan 0-1-1, D.Easley 0-1-1,
D.McCourty 0-1-1, D. Skinner 0-1-1, V.Wilfork 0-1-1. SKS.-YDS.: Ch.Jones 1-8. INT.YDS.: None. PD: D.McCourty 1. FF: K.Arrington 1, D.Revis 1. FR-YDS.: J.Collins 1-3,
D.Harmon 1-(-1).
— 18 —
WEEK 7, GAME 6
Indianapolis Colts 27, Cincinnati Bengals 0
Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014 at Lucas Oil Stadium
(2014 game summaries, continued)
WEEK 6, GAME 5
Cincinnati Bengals 37, Carolina Panthers 37
Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium
The Bengals and Panthers played to the highest-scoring tie in the NFL’s era of
regular-season overtime, topping a 35-all deadlock between Denver and Pittsburgh in
1974, the first year of such OT. Two American Football League games prior to the OT era
played to higher tie scores. It was the third tie in Bengals history, and the first Bengals OT
game affected by the 2013 rule change that does not give a victory to a team scoring a FG
on the opening possession. The Bengals did that, taking a 37-34 lead, but the Panthers
came back to tie at 37, and the contest ended in a tie when Bengals K Mike Nugent missed
a 36-yard FG try as the OT period expired. The Bengals exited with a 3-1-1 record, good
for a percentage points lead over 4-2 Baltimore in the AFC North. Carolina fell to 3-2-1.
SCORE BY PERIODS
1
2
3
4
OT
PTS.
Carolina ..................................................... 7
3
14
10
3
37
Cincinnati................................................... 0
17
0
17
3
37
TEAM — SCORING PLAY
QTR.-LEFT
Car. — K.Benjamin 3 pass from C.Newton (G.Gano kick) ........................................ 1-5:45
Cin. — B.Tate 5 pass from A.Dalton (M.Nugent kick) ............................................. 2-14:21
Cin. — G.Bernard 89 run (M.Nugent kick)............................................................... 2-11:50
Car. — G.Gano 39 field goal ...................................................................................... 2-6:20
Cin. — M.Nugent 44 field goal ................................................................................... 2-0:03
Car. — F.Whittaker 4 run (G.Gano kick) .................................................................... 3-9:07
Car. — C.Newton 12 run (G.Gano kick) .................................................................... 3-3:54
Cin. — M.Sanu 34 pass from A.Dalton (M.Nugent kick) ......................................... 4-11:38
Car. — G.Olsen 13 pass from C.Newton (G.Gano kick) ........................................... 4-4:50
Cin. — J.Hill 3 run (M.Nugent kick)............................................................................ 4-4:32
Cin. — M.Nugent 38 field goal ................................................................................... 4-2:11
Car. — G.Gano 44 field goal ...................................................................................... 4-0:00
Cin. — M.Nugent 42 field goal ................................................................................... 5-8:35
Car. — G.Gano 36 field goal ...................................................................................... 5-2:19
Missed FGs: G.Gano (38WR), M.Nugent (36WR).
Attendance: 57,053. Time: 3:59.
TEAM STATISTICS
CAR.
CIN.
First downs ..................................................................................................... 29
29
Third down conversions-attempts ............................................................... 8-17
10-16
Total net yards ............................................................................................. 431
513
Net yards rushing ......................................................................................... 147
193
Net yards passing ........................................................................................ 284
320
Pass attempts-completions-interceptions .............................................. 46-29-1
43-33-2
Sacks against-yards lost ............................................................................... 0-0
1-3
Punts-average .......................................................................................... 1-38.0
1-42.0
Punt returns-yards......................................................................................... 1-5
0-0
Kickoff returns-yards ................................................................................. 6-134
2-126
Penalties-yards ........................................................................................... 8-60
13-119
Fumbles-lost.................................................................................................. 0-0
0-0
Time of possession ................................................................................... 39:30
35:30
RUSHING
CAR.
ATT YDS LG TD
CIN.
ATT YDS LG TD
C.Newton
17 107 12t
1
G.Bernard
18 137 89t
1
F.Whittaker
9
25
6
1
A.Dalton
4
25 20
0
D.Reaves
8
15
9
0
J.Hill
8
22
5
1
B.Tate
1
9
9
0
TOTALS
34 147 12t
2
TOTALS
31 193 89
2
PASSING
CAR.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
CIN.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
C.Newton
46
29 284 2-1
A.Dalton
43
33 323 2-2
TOTALS
46
29 284 2-1
TOTALS
43
33 323 2-2
RECEIVING
CAR.
NO YDS LG TD
CIN.
NO YDS LG TD
K.Benjamin
7
49 13
1
M.Sanu
10 120 34t
1
G.Olsen
6
62 16
1
J.Gresham
6
68 23
0
J.Avant
5
47 17
0
D.Sanzenbacher
4
40 15
0
J.Cotchery
4
58 26
0
B.Tate
4
38 16
1
F.Whittaker
2
27 23
0
G.Bernard
4
20 11
0
B.Bersin
2
13 10
0
J.Hill
4
13
7
0
B.Williams
1
16 16
0
J.Wright
1
24 24
0
C.Brown
1
8
8
0
D.Reaves
1
4
4
0
TOTALS
29 284 26
2
TOTALS
33 323 34t
2
DEFENSE
Carolina (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: L.Kuechly 9-4-13, T.Davis 7-2-9,
A.Cason 7-1-8, M.White 5-1-6, T.DeCoud 4-1-5, C.Godfrey 4-1-5, K.Short 3-1-4, R.Harper
3-0-3, S.Lotulelei 3-0-3, C.Johnson 2-1-3, K.Ealy 1-1-2, W.Horton 1-1-2, C.Cole 0-2-2,
D.Edwards 0-2-2, M.Addison 0-1-1, C.Blackburn 0-1-1. SKS.-YDS.: C.Johnson 1-3. INT.YDS.: A.Cason 1-80, R.Harper 1-8. PD: R.Harper 2, A.Cason 1, M.White 1. FF: None. FRYDS.: None.
Cincinnati (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: R.Nelson 9-2-11, V.Burfict 7-3-10,
A.Jones 5-3-8, E.Lamur 5-3-8, C.Dunlap 4-1-5, T.Newman 3-2-5, L.Hall 3-1-4, R.Maualuga
2-2-4, D.Peko 2-1-3, W.Gilberry 1-2-3, R.Geathers 1-1-2, V.Rey 1-1-2, G.Iloka 0-2-2,
G.Atkins 1-0-1, D.Still 1-0-1. SKS.-YDS.: None. INT.-YDS.: R.Nelson 1-31. PD: R.Nelson
2, L.Hall 1, A.Jones 1, T.Newman 1, R.Geathers 1, G.Iloka 1. FF: None. FR-YDS.: None.
The Bengals were outgained by 371 yards — 506 to 135 — and they suffered only
their second shutout in 12 seasons under head coach Marvin Lewis. The first of those,
37-0 against the N.Y. Jets in the 2009 season finale, came in a game when Cincinnati’s
starters saw virtually no action with a playoff berth already clinched. The Bengals trailed
only 10-0 at halftime, thanks in large part to a plus-two turnover advantage (two lost
fumbles by the Colts), but Indianapolis drove 85 yards on eight plays for a TD on its first
third-quarter possession, ending any reasonable suspense over the outcome. The Bengals
reached the Colts’ four-yard line in the fourth quarter but gave up possession on downs.
The Bengals fell to 3-2-1 on the season, a game behind Baltimore in the AFC North
Division race. Indianapolis won its fifth straight after an 0-2 start.
SCORE BY PERIODS
1
2
3
4
OT
PTS.
Cincinnati ................................................... 0
0
0
0
—
0
Indianapolis ............................................... 3
7
7
10
—
27
TEAM — SCORING PLAY
QTR.-LEFT
Ind. — A.Vinatieri 23 field goal .................................................................................. 1-0:33
Ind. — A.Bradshaw 1 run (A.Vinatieri kick) ............................................................. 2-12:08
Ind. — D.Allen 32 pass from A.Luck (A.Vinatieri kick) .............................................. 3-9:47
Ind. — A.Bradshaw 10 pass from A.Luck (A.Vinatieri kick) .................................... 4-12:09
Ind. — A.Vinatieri 50 field goal .................................................................................. 4-1:55
Missed FGs: None. Attendance: 66,539. Time: 3:06.
TEAM STATISTICS
CIN.
IND.
First downs ....................................................................................................... 8
27
Third down conversions-attempts ............................................................... 1-13
5-13
Total net yards.............................................................................................. 135
506
Net yards rushing ........................................................................................... 32
171
Net yards passing......................................................................................... 103
335
Pass attempts-completions-interceptions .............................................. 38-18-0
42-27-0
Sacks against-yards lost ............................................................................. 4-23
2-9
Punts-average ........................................................................................ 11-50.7
6-48.0
Punt returns-yards ....................................................................................... 4-20
2-13
Kickoff returns-yards ................................................................................... 3-80
1-27
Penalties-yards............................................................................................ 4-20
8-57
Fumbles-lost .................................................................................................. 1-0
2-2
Time of possession ................................................................................... 20:17
39:43
RUSHING
CIN.
ATT YDS LG TD
IND.
ATT YDS LG TD
G.Bernard
7
17
6
0
T.Richardson
14
77 11
0
J.Hill
4
15 11
0
A.Bradshaw
10
52 15
1
A.Dalton
1
0
0
0
D.Herron
5
37 13
0
A.Luck
4
5
2
0
D.Moncrief
1
0
0
0
TOTALS
12
32 11
0
TOTALS
34 171 15
1
PASSING
CIN.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
IND.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
A.Dalton
38
18 126 0-0
A.Luck
42
27 344 2-0
TOTALS
38
18 126 0-0
TOTALS
42
27 344 2-0
RECEIVING
CIN.
NO YDS LG TD
IND.
NO YDS LG TD
J.Gresham
10
48 12
0
T.Hilton
7 107 46
0
M.Sanu
3
54 32
0
C.Fleener
4
64 26
0
G.Bernard
2
-1
0
0
T.Richardson
4
41 20
0
G.Little
1
13 13
0
R.Wayne
4
15
9
0
B.Tate
1
7
7
0
D.Allen
3
52 32t
1
C.Peerman
1
5
5
0
A.Bradshaw
3
36 18
1
J.Doyle
1
20 20
0
D.Moncrief
1
9
9
0
TOTALS
18 126 32
0
TOTALS
27 344 46
2
DEFENSE
Cincinnati (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: V.Rey 7-9-16, R.Nelson 5-4-9,
J.DiManche 4-3-7, G.Iloka 3-2-5, A.Jones 3-2-5, D.Peko 3-2-5, C.Dunlap 1-4-5, L.Hall 4-04, M.Flowers 2-2-4, V.Burfict 1-3-4, T.Newman 3-0-3, D.Dennard 2-1-3, W.Gilberry 0-3-3,
R.Geathers 1-0-1, D.Kirkpatrick 1-0-1, G.Atkins 0-1-1, M.Hunt 0-1-1, D.Still 0-1-1. SKS.YDS.: D.Peko 1-0, G.Atkins 0.5-4.5, C.Dunlap 0.5-4.5. INT.-YDS.: None. PD: A.Jones 2,
C.Dunlap 1, W.Gilberry 1, L.Hall 1. FF: C.Dunlap 1. FR-YDS.: C.Dunlap 1-0, A.Jones 1-0.
Indianapolis (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: D.Jackson 3-4-7, J.Freeman 4-2-6,
C.Redding 3-1-4, V.Davis 3-0-3, J.Gordy 3-0-3, R.Jean Francois 1-2-3, S.Brown 2-0-2,
G.Toler 2-0-2, E.Walden 1-1-2, M.Adams 1-0-1, Z.Kerr 1-0-1, J.McNary 1-0-1, J.Newsome
1-0-1, L.Purifoy 1-0-1, B.Werner 1-0-1, M.Hughes 0-1-1, A.Studebaker 0-1-1. SKS.-YDS.:
C.Redding 1-8, R.Jean Francois 1-6, B.Werner 1-5, Z.Kerr 1-4. INT.-YDS.: None. PD:
V.Davis 4, M.Adams 1, S.Brown 1, J.Freeman 1, Z.Kerr 1, G.Toler 1. FF: None. FR-YDS.:
None.
— 19 —
WEEK 9, GAME 8
Cincinnati Bengals 33, Jacksonville Jaguars 23
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium
(2014 game summaries, continued)
WEEK 8, GAME 7
Cincinnati Bengals 27, Baltimore Ravens 24
Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium
The Bengals completed a two-game sweep over their AFC North rival, and for the
second time on the season, they did it with a fourth-quarter comeback. After Baltimore had
erased a 17-6 Bengals lead to go ahead 24-20 in the final period, the Bengals mounted a
10-play, 80-yard march for the winning score. QB Andy Dalton kept the drive alive with two
key third-down passes — one of them 53 yards to WR Mohamed Sanu on a third-and-10
play — and Dalton scored the winning TD himself on a one-yard sneak on fourth down.
Playing for a third straight game without injured flagship WR A.J. Green, the Bengals
netted 266 passing yards, including a career-high 125 from Sanu on five catches. Sanu
had a spectacular one-handed catch to gain 48 yards on Cincinnati’s first TD drive, and he
also gained 27 rushing yards. The Bengals scored three TDs in five red-zone chances (60
percent) against a defense that entered the game with an NFL-best defensive TD
percentage of only 36.4. Cincinnati improved to 4-2-1 and took first place in the AFC North
Division by percentage points over the Ravens, who fell to 5-3.
SCORE BY PERIODS
1
2
3
4
OT
PTS.
Baltimore ................................................... 0
6
8
10
—
24
Cincinnati................................................... 7
0
10
10
—
27
TEAM — SCORING PLAY
QTR.-LEFT
Cin. — A.Dalton 1 run (M.Nugent kick) ................................................................... 1-10:01
Balt. — J.Tucker 45 field goal..................................................................................... 2-9:15
Balt. — J.Tucker 50 field goal..................................................................................... 2-1:02
Cin. — G.Bernard 1 run (M.Nugent kick)................................................................... 3-9:56
Cin. — M.Nugent 32 field goal ................................................................................... 3-6:29
Balt. — L.Taliaferro 10 run (J.Forsett run).................................................................. 3-1:58
Cin. — M.Nugent 33 field goal ................................................................................. 4-11:24
Balt. — L.Taliaferro 8 run (J.Tucker kick) ................................................................... 4-6:31
Balt. — J.Tucker 53 field goal..................................................................................... 4-3:59
Cin. — A.Dalton 1 run (M.Nugent kick) ..................................................................... 4-0:57
Missed FGs: None. Attendance: 55,711. Time: 2:59.
TEAM STATISTICS
BALT.
CIN.
First downs ..................................................................................................... 18
19
Third down conversions-attempts ............................................................... 5-13
8-14
Total net yards ............................................................................................. 294
350
Net yards rushing ......................................................................................... 107
111
Net yards passing ........................................................................................ 187
239
Pass attempts-completions-interceptions .............................................. 34-17-2
28-21-1
Sacks against-yards lost ............................................................................... 1-8
2-27
Punts-average .......................................................................................... 1-50.0
3-52.0
Punt returns-yards....................................................................................... 2-17
1-6
Kickoff returns-yards ................................................................................. 5-122
3-93
Penalties-yards ........................................................................................... 7-51
6-40
Fumbles-lost.................................................................................................. 1-0
2-1
Time of possession ................................................................................... 29:16
30:44
RUSHING
BALT.
ATT YDS LG TD
CIN.
ATT YDS LG TD
J.Forsett
17
68 12
0
G.Bernard
16
45
8
1
L.Taliaferro
7
27 10t
2
M.Sanu
2
27 26
0
J.Flacco
2
12 13
0
J.Hill
10
25
5
0
A.Dalton
6
14
5
2
TOTALS
26 107 13
2
TOTALS
34 111 26
3
PASSING
BALT.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
CIN.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
J.Flacco
34
17 195 0-2
A.Dalton
28
21 266 0-1
TOTALS
34
17 195 0-2
TOTALS
28
21 266 0-1
RECEIVING
BALT.
NO YDS LG TD
CIN.
NO YDS LG TD
M.Campanaro
3
40 19
0
M.Sanu
5 125 53
0
S.Smith
3
35 15
0
J.Gresham
4
34 16
0
J.Forsett
3
17
8
0
J.Hill
4
28 15
0
L.Taliaferro
2
42 29
0
G.Little
3
42 21
0
C.Gillmore
2
23 13
0
B.Tate
2
30 17
0
K.Aiken
2
15
8
0
G.Bernard
2
2
2
0
K.Juszczyk
1
21 21
0
R.Hewitt
1
5
5
0
M.Brown
1
2
2
0
TOTALS
17 195 29
0
TOTALS
21 266 53
0
DEFENSE
Baltimore (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: C.Mosley 8-5-13, D.Smith 3-10-13,
H.Ngata 5-3-8, B.Williams 4-2-6, T.Brooks 3-1-4, T.Suggs 2-2-4, C.Upshaw 2-2-4, L.Webb
1-3-4, D.Franks 3-0-3, D.Stewart 2-1-3, M.Elam 1-1-2, T.Jernigan 1-1-2, E.Dumervil 1-0-1,
W.Hill 1-0-1, A.McClellan 1-0-1, P.McPhee 0-1-1. SKS.-YDS.: H.Ngata 1-21, T.Suggs 1-6.
INT.-YDS.: C.Mosley 1-5. PD: D.Franks 3, M.Elam 1, C.Mosley 1. FF: H.Ngata 1, D.Smith
1. FR-YDS.: D.Smith 1-39.
Cincinnati (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: L.Hall 4-3-7, V.Burfict 1-6-7, R.Nelson
3-2-5, G.Iloka 2-3-5, E.Lamur 2-3-5, V.Rey 1-4-5, W.Gilberry 0-5-5, G.Atkins 3-1-4,
T.Newman 2-2-4, D.Still 3-0-3, C.Dunlap 2-1-3, D.Peko 1-2-3, R.Geathers 0-2-2, M.Hunt 10-1. SKS.-YDS.: G.Atkins 1-8. INT.-YDS.: A.Jones 1-12, E.Lamur 1-5. PD: M.Flowers 1,
A.Jones 1, D.Kirkpatrick 1, E.Lamur 1, T.Newman 1. FF: G.Atkins 1. FR-YDS.: None.
The Bengals rolled to leads of 19-3 in the third quarter and 26-10 in the fourth quarter,
but the Jaguars, coming in at 1-7, made it interesting, closing to within 26-23 with 8:13 left.
The Jaguars’ score to close within three was set up when LB J.T. Thomas III intercepted
an Andy Dalton pass and returned it 10 yards to the Bengals’ seven-yard line. But on the
Bengals’ first scrimmage play after that Jacksonville TD, rookie HB Jeremy Hill capped a
day to remember by rushing 60 yards for a TD and the eventual 33-23 final margin. Hill,
making his first NFL start due to an injury to HB Giovani Bernard, rushed 24 times for 154
yards and two TDs and also caught a nine-yard pass. The Bengals special teams got
hands on two Jaguars punts. HB Rex Burkhead tipped a second quarter punt to help set up
a FG drive, and S Taylor Mays blocked one out of the end zone in the second quarter for a
safety. The Bengals improved to 5-2-1 and remained in first place in the AFC North, by
percentage points over 6-3 Pittsburgh. The Jaguars fell to 1-8.
SCORE BY PERIODS
1
2
3
4
OT
PTS.
Jacksonville ............................................... 3
0
7
13
—
23
Cincinnati ................................................... 0
12
7
14
—
33
TEAM — SCORING PLAY
QTR.-LEFT
Jax. — J.Scobee 25 field goal.................................................................................... 1-1:21
Cin. — M.Sanu 19 pass from A.Dalton (M.Nugent kick) ......................................... 2-11:48
Cin. — M.Nugent 31 field goal ................................................................................... 2-4:25
Cin. — T.Mays blocks Jacksonville punt out of end zone for safety ......................... 2-2:58
Cin. — J.Hill 1 run (M.Nugent kick) .......................................................................... 3-10:33
Jax. — A.Hurns 40 pass from B.Bortles (J.Scobee kick) .......................................... 3-9:36
Cin. — A.Green 18 pass from A.Dalton (M.Nugent kick) ........................................ 4-13:54
Jax. — A.Hurns 18 pass from B.Bortles (pass failed)................................................ 4-9:55
Jax. — D.Robinson 5 run (J.Scobee kick) ................................................................. 4-8:13
Cin. — J.Hill 60 run (M.Nugent kick) .......................................................................... 4-8:04
Missed FGs: None. Attendance: 60,057. Time: 3:13.
TEAM STATISTICS
JAX.
CIN.
First downs ..................................................................................................... 19
23
Third down conversions-attempts ............................................................... 4-12
6-13
Total net yards.............................................................................................. 365
423
Net yards rushing ......................................................................................... 132
191
Net yards passing......................................................................................... 233
232
Pass attempts-completions-interceptions .............................................. 33-22-1
31-19-2
Sacks against-yards lost ............................................................................. 2-14
2-1
Punts-average .......................................................................................... 7-35.7
5-50.4
Punt returns-yards ....................................................................................... 2-10
5-60
Kickoff returns-yards ................................................................................. 6-173
5-98
Penalties-yards............................................................................................ 3-35
6-40
Fumbles-lost .................................................................................................. 0-0
1-0
Time of possession ................................................................................... 27:16
32:44
RUSHING
JAX.
ATT YDS LG TD
CIN.
ATT YDS LG TD
D.Robinson
17
94 39
1
J.Hill
24 154 60t
2
T.Gerhart
3
19 12
0
A.Dalton
2
11
8
0
B.Bortles
4
10
5
0
J.Wright
1
11 11
0
J.Todman
1
9
9
0
C.Peerman
5
9
4
0
M.Sanu
1
9
9
0
A.Green
1
-3
-3
0
TOTALS
25 132 39
1
TOTALS
34 191 60
2
PASSING
JAX.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
CIN.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
B.Bortles
33
22 247 2-1
A.Dalton
31
19 233 2-2
TOTALS
33
22 247 2-1
TOTALS
31
19 233 2-2
RECEIVING
JAX.
NO YDS LG TD
CIN.
NO YDS LG TD
A.Hurns
7 112 40t
2
J.Gresham
5
36 12
0
C.Shorts
5
40 20
0
M.Sanu
4
95 36
1
A.Robinson
4
35 13
0
A.Green
3
44 18t
1
T.Gerhart
3
49 19
0
C.Peerman
2
22 17
0
D.Robinson
2
10 12
0
R.Burkhead
2
10
6
0
J.Todman
1
1
1
0
B.Tate
1
10 10
0
J.Hill
1
9
9
0
R.Hewitt
1
7
7
0
TOTALS
22 247 40t
2
TOTALS
19 233 36
2
DEFENSE
Jacksonville (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: J.Cyprien 4-5-9, J.Thomas 2-6-8,
T.Smith 5-2-7, D.Gratz 3-3-6, J.Evans 2-4-6, S.Martin 2-2-4, D.McCray 2-2-4, T.Alualu 0-44, J.George 2-1-3, S.Marks 2-1-3, L.Reynolds 2-1-3, R.Davis 1-2-3, A.Jones 1-2-3,
C.Clemons 1-1-2, G.Hayes 1-1-2, E.Hood 1-1-2, R.Miller 1-0-1, R.Bryant 0-1-1, C.Smith 01-1. SKS.-YDS.: S.Marks 1-1, R.Davis 0.5-0, C.Smith 0.5-0. INT.-YDS.: J.Thomas 1-10,
S.Martin 1-0. PD: S.Martin 2, J.Thomas 2, D.Gratz 1, R.Miller 1. FF: R.Davis 1. FR-YDS.:
None.
Cincinnati (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: E.Lamur 3-5-8, G.Atkins 5-1-6,
T.Newman 4-2-6, G.Iloka 5-0-5, L.Hall 2-3-5, V.Rey 2-3-5, C.Dunlap 3-1-4, W.Gilberry 2-24, A.Jones 2-2-4, R.Nelson 2-1-3, B.Thompson 1-1-2, D.Still 0-2-2, R.Geathers 1-0-1,
M.Hunt 1-0-1, N.Johnson 1-0-1, D.Peko 0-1-1. SKS.-YDS.: C.Dunlap 1-8, M.Hunt 1-6.
INT.-YDS.: G.Iloka 1-16. PD: G.Iloka 2, E.Lamur 2, G.Atkins 1, T.Newman 1, V.Rey 1. FF:
None. FR-YDS.: None.
— 20 —
(2014 game summaries, continued)
WEEK 10, GAME 9
Cleveland Browns 24, Cincinnati Bengals 3
Sunday, Nov. 6, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium
The Bengals mustered only 165 net offensive yards and finished minus-three in
turnover differential as the visiting Browns posted their largest winning margin since 1994
in the Battle of Ohio. Cleveland nabbed its first of three INTs on the Bengals’ gameopening possession, when Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton and TE Jermain Gresham had an
apparent miscommunication on a route, and the Browns offense capitalized with an 18yard TD drive for a 7-0 lead. The Bengals closed the gap to 7-3 and had one possession
with a chance to take the lead, but Cincinnati could not move beyond its 34-yard line. The
Browns came back on their next possession with a 59-yard TD drive, and they tacked on a
FG for a 17-3 halftime lead. In the second half, the Bengals managed only 65 net yards as
the Browns did their best to run out the clock. The Bengals saw the end of a two-game win
streak, and Cleveland extended its win streak to three. The Bengals fell to 5-3-1, one-half
game behind the Browns, who improved to 6-3.
SCORE BY PERIODS
1
2
3
4
OT
PTS.
Cleveland .................................................. 7
10
7
0
—
24
Cincinnati................................................... 3
0
0
0
—
3
TEAM — SCORING PLAY
QTR.-LEFT
Cle. — B.Tate 4 run (B.Cundiff kick) ....................................................................... 1-10:40
Cin. — M.Nugent 43 field goal ................................................................................... 1-6:18
Cle. — I.Crowell 2 run (B.Cundiff kick) .................................................................... 2-12:57
Cle. — B.Cundiff 32 field goal.................................................................................... 2-3:59
Cle. — T.West 1 run (B.Cundiff kick) ......................................................................... 3-4:46
Missed FGs: B.Cundiff (44WR). Attendance: 65,871. Time: 3:14.
TEAM STATISTICS
CLE.
CIN.
First downs ..................................................................................................... 21
11
Third down conversions-attempts ............................................................... 7-16
3-17
Total net yards ............................................................................................. 368
165
Net yards rushing ......................................................................................... 170
86
Net yards passing ........................................................................................ 198
79
Pass attempts-completions-interceptions .............................................. 23-15-0
39-13-3
Sacks against-yards lost ............................................................................... 0-0
2-14
Punts-average .......................................................................................... 7-44.4
8-49.8
Punt returns-yards....................................................................................... 2-15
4-25
Kickoff returns-yards ................................................................................... 1-25
2-55
Penalties-yards ........................................................................................... 6-62
7-55
Fumbles-lost.................................................................................................. 1-1
1-1
Time of possession ................................................................................... 35:49
24:11
RUSHING
CLE.
ATT YDS LG TD
CIN.
ATT YDS LG TD
T.West
26
94 14
1
J.Hill
12
55 13
0
I.Crowell
12
41
6
1
J.Wright
1
13 13
0
B.Tate
10
34
8
1
R.Burkhead
4
12
7
0
B.Hoyer
4
1
3
0
A.Dalton
3
8
4
0
C.Peerman
2
-2
1
0
TOTALS
52 170 14
3
TOTALS
22
86 13
0
PASSING
CLE.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
CIN.
ATT CMP YDS TD-I
B.Hoyer
23
15 198 0-0
A.Dalton
33
10 86 0-3
J.Campbell
6
3
7 0-0
TOTALS
23
15 198 0-0
TOTALS
39
13 93 0-3
RECEIVING
CLE.
NO YDS LG TD
CIN.
NO YDS LG TD
M.Austin
5
48 16
0
J.Gresham
3
29 15
0
T.Benjamin
3
46 22
0
A.Green
3
23 11
0
T.Gabriel
3
31 18
0
M.Sanu
2
20 18
0
G.Barnidge
2
46 28
0
R.Burkhead
2
3
8
0
B.Tate
2
27 23
0
G.Little
1
8
8
0
J.Hill
1
6
6
0
K.Brock
1
4
4
0
TOTALS
15 198 28
0
TOTALS
13
93 18
0
DEFENSE
Cleveland (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: K.Dansby 1-7-8, D.Bryant 3-3-6,
J.Sheard 1-4-5, D.Whitner 2-2-4, K.Williams 1-3-4, C.Kirksey 2-1-3, J.Haden 2-1-3,
J.Leonhard 2-1-3, B.Skrine 2-1-3, P.Taylor 2-1-3, T.Gipson 1-2-3, C.Robertson 1-2-3,
P.Kruger 1-1-2, B.Winn 1-0-1. SKS.-YDS.: D.Bryant 2-14. INT.-YDS.: B.Skrine 2-30,
C.Robertson 1-15. PD: B.Skrine 3, J.Haden 2, K.Williams 2, T.Gipson 1, C.Kirksey 1,
P.Kruger 1, C.Robertson 1, P.Taylor 1, D.Whitner 1. FF: T.Gipson 1. FR-YDS.: J.Haden
1-0.
Cincinnati (press box stats) — ST-AT-TT: E.Lamur 5-6-11, N.Johnson 6-4-10,
V.Rey 1-9-10, G.Iloka 7-1-8, A.Jones 6-2-8, R.Nelson 3-5-8, B.Thompson 1-5-6, C.Dunlap
2-3-5, T.Newman 2-3-5, D.Peko 2-1-3, W.Gilberry 1-2-3, D.Kirkpatrick 1-2-3, D.Still 1-2-3,
M.Hunt 2-0-2, G.Atkins 1-0-1. SKS.-YDS.: None. INT.-YDS.: None. PD: R.Nelson 2,
G.Iloka 1, A.Jones 1. FF: None. FR-YDS.: None.
— 21 —
THE BENGALS ARE:
4-1-1
1-2-0
4-0-0
1-3-1
1-0-1
2-0-1
5-0-1
0-0-0
0-3-0
5-0-0
0-0-0
0-3-1
4-0-1
REGULAR SEASON
2-0-0
3-1-0
1-0-0
1-2-1
2-0-1
1-2-1
5-0-1
2-3-1
5-3-1
0-0-0
0-0-0
5-3-1
3-3-0
at home
on the road
when scoring first
when opponent scored first
in games decided by three points or fewer
in games decided by seven points or fewer
when leading at halftime
when tied at halftime
when trailing at halftime
when leading after three quarters
when tied after three quarters
when trailing after three quarters
when rushing for 100 net yards
when opponent rushed for less than 100 net yards
with plus turnover differential
with even turnover differential
with minus turnover differential
when passing for 250 net yards
when opponent passed for 250 net yards
when scoring 20 points or more
when opponent scored 20 points or more
when game was outdoors (open-air/open retractable roof)
when game was inside (dome/closed retractable roof)
on natural grass
on synthetic surface
with fewer penalty yards
UNDER MARVIN LEWIS, THE BENGALS ARE:
56-36-2
39-52-0
65-28-1
30-60-1
18-18-2
47-41-2
66-22-2
11-2-0
18-64-0
75-13-1
7-4-0
13-71-1
64-32-1
2003-PRESENT (REGULAR SEASON)
58-21-1
58-14-1
24-18-0
13-56-1
33-28-1
24-30-2
76-33-1
33-78-1
91-82-2
4-6-0
33-30-0
62-58-2
48-46-1
at home
on the road
when scoring first
when opponent scores first
in games decided by three points or fewer
in games decided by seven points or fewer
when leading at halftime
when tied at halftime
when trailing at halftime
when leading after three quarters
when tied after three quarters
when trailing after three quarters
when rushing for 100 net yards
— 22 —
when opponent rushes for less than 100 net yards
with plus turnover differential
with even turnover differential
with minus turnover differential
when passing for 250 net yards
when opponent passes for 250 net yards
when scoring 20 points or more
when opponent scores 20 points or more
when game is outdoors (open-air/open retractable roof)
when game is inside (dome/closed retractable roof)
on natural grass
on synthetic surface
with fewer penalty yards
BEST PERFORMANCES
REGULAR SEASON
RUSHING YARDS
154 — Jeremy Hill, Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville
137 — Giovani Bernard, Oct. 12 vs. Carolina
90 — Giovani Bernard, Sept. 14 vs. Atlanta
33
25
21
PASS COMPLETIONS
— Andy Dalton, Oct. 12 vs. Carolina
— Andy Dalton, Sept. 7 at Baltimore
— Andy Dalton, Oct. 26 vs. Baltimore
LONGEST PASSES
— Andy Dalton to A.J. Green, Sept. 7 at Baltimore (TD)
— Andy Dalton to Mohamed Sanu, Sept. 14 vs. Atlanta (TD)
— Andy Dalton to Mohamed Sanu, Oct. 26 vs. Baltimore
27
24
18
RUSHING ATTEMPTS
— Giovani Bernard, Sept. 14 vs. Atlanta
— Jeremy Hill, Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville
— Giovani Bernard, Oct. 12 vs. Carolina
77
76
53
89
60
26
LONGEST RUSHES
— Giovani Bernard, Oct. 12 vs. Carolina (TD)
— Jeremy Hill, Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville (TD)
— Mohamed Sanu, Oct. 26 vs. Baltimore
YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE
169 — Giovani Bernard, Sept. 14 vs. Atlanta
163 — Jeremy Hill, Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville
157 — Giovani Bernard, Oct. 12 vs. Carolina
10
10
6
RECEPTIONS
— Mohamed Sanu, Oct. 12 vs. Carolina
— Jermaine Gresham, Oct. 19 at Indianapolis
— (four times)
97
38
34
LONGEST KICKOFF RETURNS
— Adam Jones, Oct. 12 vs. Carolina
— Adam Jones, Oct. 19 at Indianapolis
— (two times)
RECEIVING YARDS
131 — A.J. Green, Sept. 7 at Baltimore
125 — Mohamed Sanu, Oct. 26 vs. Baltimore
120 — Mohamed Sanu, Oct. 12 vs. Carolina
47
45
31
LONGEST PUNT RETURNS
— Adam Jones, Oct. 5 at New England
— Adam Jones, Sept. 7 at Baltimore
— Adam Jones, Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville
PASSING YARDS
323 — Andy Dalton, Oct. 12 vs. Carolina
301 — Andy Dalton, Sept. 7 at Baltimore
266 — Andy Dalton, Oct. 26 vs. Baltimore
16
11
11
TOTAL TACKLES*
— Vincent Rey, Oct. 19 at Indianapolis
— Reggie Nelson, Oct. 12 vs. Carolina
— Emmanuel Lamur, Nov. 6 vs. Cleveland
9
7
SOLO TACKLES*
— Reggie Nelson, Oct. 12 vs. Carolina
— (six times)
43
38
38
PASS ATTEMPTS
— Andy Dalton, Oct. 12 vs. Carolina
— Andy Dalton, Sept. 7 at Baltimore
— Andy Dalton, Oct. 19 at Indianapolis
*NOTE: The defensive statistics above are press box statistics produced at the games.
— 23 —
GAME-BY-GAME TEAM STATISTICS
DATE
OPPONENT
Sept. 7 at Baltimore
Sept. 14 ATLANTA
Sept. 21 TENNESSEE
Sept. 28 — BYE —
Oct. 5
at New England
Oct. 12 CAROLINA
Oct. 19 at Indianapolis
Oct. 26 BALTIMORE
Nov. 2
JACKSONVILLE
Nov. 6
CLEVELAND
Nov. 16 at New Orleans
Nov. 23 at Houston
Nov. 30 at Tampa Bay
Dec. 7
PITTSBURGH
Dec. 14 at Cleveland
Dec. 22 DENVER
Dec. 28 at Pittsburgh
2014 TOTALS
DATE
OPPONENT
Sept. 7 at Baltimore
Sept. 14 ATLANTA
Sept. 21 TENNESSEE
Sept. 28 — BYE —
Oct. 5
at New England
Oct. 12 CAROLINA
Oct. 19 at Indianapolis
Oct. 26 BALTIMORE
Nov. 2
JACKSONVILLE
Nov. 6
CLEVELAND
Nov. 16 at New Orleans
Nov. 23 at Houston
Nov. 30 at Tampa Bay
Dec. 7
PITTSBURGH
Dec. 14 at Cleveland
Dec. 22 DENVER
Dec. 28 at Pittsburgh
2014 TOTALS
OFFENSE
PASS YDS COMP-ATT
YDS
RUSH-YDS
TD-P/INT
SKD-YDS
1D
3D-CONV
F-FL
POSS
380
472
300
26-79
45-170
31-116
301
302
184
25-38
16-24
17-26
1/0
1/0
1/1
0-0
0-0
0-0
16
21
25
4-14
6-14
3-9
0-0
0-0
0-0
30:30
32:59
28:44
320
513
135
350
423
165
18-79
31-193
12-32
34-111
34-191
22-86
241
320
103
239
232
79
18-29
33-43
18-38
21-28
19-31
13-39
2/0
2/2
0/0
0/1
2/2
0/3
1-8
1-3
4-23
2-27
2-1
2-14
17
29
8
19
23
11
0-7
10-16
1-13
8-14
6-13
3-17
3-3
0-0
1-0
2-1
1-0
1-1
21:04
35:30
20:17
30:44
32:44
24:11
3058
253-1057
2001
180-296
9/9
12-76
169
41-117
8-5
27:45
DEFENSE
PASS YDS COMP-ATT
YDS
RUSH-YDS
TD-P/INT
SKD-YDS
1D
3D-CONV
F-FL
POSS
423
309
326
20-94
19-97
28-149
329
212
177
35-62
24-44
17-34
1/1
1/3
0/2
3-16
2-19
2-8
26
19
22
8-17
3-12
2-12
2-1
0-0
2-0
29:30
27:01
31:16
505
431
506
294
365
368
46-220
34-147
34-171
26-107
25-132
52-170
285
284
335
187
233
198
23-35
29-46
27-42
17-34
22-33
15-23
2/0
2/1
2/0
0/2
2/1
0/0
1-7
0-0
2-9
1-8
2-14
0-0
30
29
27
18
19
21
6-16
8-17
5-13
5-13
4-12
7-16
1-0
0-0
2-2
1-0
0-0
1-1
38:56
39:30
39:43
29:16
27:16
35:49
3527
284-1287
2240
209-353
10/10
13-81
211
48-128
9-4
32:15
— 24 —
TRANSACTIONS
(TRANSACTIONS FROM 6-12-13 THROUGH 6-18-14 ARE IN BENGALS 2014 MEDIA GUIDE)
June 18, 2014 — Waived HB Jeff Scott.
July 21, 2014 — Signed DT LaKendrick Ross (FA); Waived WR Alex
Neutz.
July 24, 2014 — Acquired WR Conner Vernon on waivers from Cleveland;
Signed WR Jeremy Johnson (FA); Waived P T.J. Conley.
July 26, 2014 — Waived OT Curtis Feigt (left squad).
Aug. 4, 2014 — Signed QB Andy Dalton* to a contract extension.
Aug. 8, 2014 — Waived WR Jeremy Johnson, DT Zach Minter and
WR Conner Vernon.
Aug. 9, 2014 — Signed QB Tyler Wilson (FA).
Aug. 17, 2014 — Waived G Chandler Burden.
Aug. 25, 2014 — Terminated the contract of CB R.J. Stanford; Waived
DT Larry Black, S Isaiah Lewis, K Quinn Sharp and
WR Ryan Whalen.
Aug. 26, 2014 — Waived TE Kevin Brock, WR Jasper Collins, LB James
Davidson, LB J.K. Schaffer (injured), QB Matt Scott and
CB Lavelle Westbrooks (injured).
Aug. 27, 2014 — Signed LB Vontaze Burfict* to a contract extension;
LB J.K. Schaffer and CB Lavelle Westbrooks cleared
waivers and reverted to the Reserve/Injured list.
Aug. 29, 2014 — Terminated the contract of HB BenJarvus Green-Ellis;
Waived LB Brandon Joiner, DT LaKendrick Ross and
QB Tyler Wilson.
Aug. 30, 2014 — Placed G Trey Hopkins on the Reserve/Injured list; Placed
QB AJ McCarron on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list;
Placed CB Chris Lewis-Harris on the Reserve/Suspended
by Commissioner list; Terminated the contracts of S Danieal
Manning and OT Will Svitek; Waived CB Lavelle
Westbrooks from the Reserve/Injured list (injury
settlement); Waived the following 13 players: H-B Orson
Charles, OT Dan France, WR Cobi Hamilton, CB Victor
Hampton, DT David King, WR Colin Lockett, CB Onterio
McCalebb, DE Dontay Moch, DE Sam Montgomery,
C Trevor Robinson, DT Devon Still, FB Nikita Whitlock
and HB James Wilder Jr..
Aug. 31, 2014 — Signed the following nine players to the practice squad:
OT Dan France, TE Kevin Greene (FA), DT David King,
WR Colin Lockett, CB Onterio McCalebb, DE Sam
Sept. 3, 2014
Sept. 6, 2014
—
—
Sept. 9, 2014 —
Sept. 10, 2014 —
Sept. 15, 2014 —
Sept. 16, 2014 —
Sept. 17, 2014 —
Oct. 7, 2014
—
Oct. 8, 2014
Oct. 14, 2014
—
—
Oct. 15, 2014
Oct. 16, 2014
—
—
Nov. 3, 2014
—
Montgomery, C Trevor Robinson, DT Devon Still, and
HB James Wilder Jr..
Signed WR Tevin Reese to the practice squad.
Signed CB Onterio McCalebb from the practice squad;
Waived DT Christo Bilukidi.
Waived CB Onterio McCalebb.
Signed DT Devon Still from practice squad; Placed
TE Tyler Eifert on the Reserve/Injured list (designated for
possible return); Signed CB Onterio McCalebb and
TE Ryan Otten (FA) to practice squad.
Announced that the NFL granted CB Chris Lewis-Harris
(Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner list) a two-day roster
exemption to participate in team activities.
Signed TE Kevin Brock (FA); Placed TE Alex Smith on the
Reserve/Injured list; Signed OT/G Emmett Cleary (FA) to
the practice squad; Released TE Ryan Otten from the
practice squad.
Activated CB Chris Lewis-Harris from exemption status to
the 53-player roster.
Acquired LB Khairi Fortt on waivers from New Orleans;
Placed LB Sean Porter on the Reserve/Injured list; C
Trevor Robinson (practice squad) signed with San Diego.
Signed G/C Jeff Baca (FA) to the practice squad.
Signed WR Greg Little (FA); Placed WR Marvin Jones on
the Reserve/Injured list; Waived LB Khairi Fortt; Signed
WR Cobi Hamilton (FA) to practice squad; Released WR
Colin Lockett from the practice squad.
Signed LB Nico Johnson off Kansas City practice squad.
Signed LB Khairi Fortt to the practice squad; Released
G/C Jeff Baca from the practice squad.
Signed LB Justin Jackson and TE Jake Murphy to the
practice squad; Released TE Kevin Greene from the
practice squad; LB Khairi Fortt (practice squad) signed with
Jacksonville.
* NOTE: Signed a new contract before finishing the final season(s) of existing
contract.
— 25 —
PARTICIPATION CHART
LEGEND
(NOTE: Position designation indicates start.)
P
— played as a substitute
DNP
— did not play
IL
— inactive list
PS
— practice squad
Cin.
1
2
NAME
G-S
@Balt. ATL.
Atkins, Geno .......................... 9-9
DT
DT
Baca, Jeff .............................. 0-0
NWT
NWT
Bernard, Giovani ................... 7-7
HB
HB
Bodine, Russell ..................... 9-9
C
C
Boling, Clint ........................... 9-9
LG
LG
Brock, Kevin .......................... 7-0
NWT
NWT
Burfict, Vontaze ..................... 5-5
WLB
WLB
Burkhead, Rex ...................... 4-0
IL
IL
Campbell, Jason ................... 3-0
DNP
DNP
Clarke, Will ............................ 1-0
IL
IL
Cleary, Emmett ..................... 0-0
NWT
NWT
Dalton, Andy .......................... 9-9
QB
QB
Dennard, Darqueze ............... 7-0
IL
P
DiManche, Jayson................. 9-1
P
P
Dunlap, Carlos ...................... 9-9
LDE
LDE
Eifert, Tyler ............................ 1-1
2ndTE RI^
Flowers, Marquis ................... 9-0
P
P
Fortt, Khairi ............................ 0-0
NWT
NWT
France, Dan .......................... 0-0
PS
PS
Geathers, Robert................... 9-0
P
P
Gilberry, Wallace ................... 9-9
RDE
RDE
Green, A.J. ............................ 6-6
WR
WR
Greene, Kevin ....................... 0-0
PS
PS
Gresham, Jermaine............... 9-9
TE
TE
Hall, Leon .............................. 8-8
RCB
RCB
Hamilton, Cobi....................... 0-0
NWT
NWT
Harris, Clark .......................... 9-0
P
P
Hawkinson, Tanner ............... 3-0
DNP
IL
Hewitt, Ryan .......................... 9-5
H-B
H-B
Hill, Jeremy ........................... 9-3
P
P
Hopkins, Trey ........................ 0-0
RI
RI
Huber, Kevin ......................... 9-0
P
P
Hunt, Margus ......................... 9-0
P
P
Iloka, George ......................... 9-9
SS
SS
Jackson, Justin...................... 0-0
NWT
NWT
Johnson, Nico ....................... 4-2
NWT
NWT
Johnson, T.J. ......................... 1-0
IL
IL
Jones, Adam ......................... 9-1
P
P
Jones, Marvin ........................ 0-0
IL
IL
King, David ............................ 0-0
PS
PS
Kirkpatrick, Dre ...................... 9-0
P
P
Lamur, Emmanuel ................. 8-8
SLB
SLB
Lewis-Harris, Chris ................ 1-0
RSBC RSBC
Little, Greg ............................. 4-1
NWT
NWT
Lockett, Colin ........................ 0-0
PS
PS
Maualuga, Rey ...................... 5-5
MLB
MLB
Mays, Taylor.......................... 9-0
P
P
McCalebb, Onterio ................ 1-0
P
PS
McCarron, AJ ........................ 0-0
RNFI RNFI
Montgomery, Sam ................. 0-0
PS
PS
Murphy, Jake......................... 0-0
NWT
NWT
Nelson, Reggie...................... 9-9
FS
FS
Newhouse, Marshall.............. 8-2
P
P
Newman, Terence ................. 9-9
LCB
LCB
Nugent, Mike ......................... 9-0
P
P
Otten, Ryan ........................... 0-0
NWT
PS
Peerman, Cedric ................... 9-0
P
P
Peko, Domata ....................... 9-9
NT
NT
Pollak, Mike ........................... 7-4
DNP
P
Porter, Sean .......................... 1-0
IL
IL
Reese, Tevin ......................... 0-0
PS
PS
Rey, Vincent .......................... 9-6
P
P
Robinson, Trevor................... 0-0
PS
PS
Sanu, Mohamed .................... 9-8
P
WR
Sanzenbacher, Dane ............ 7-1
P
P
Schaffer, J.K. ......................... 0-0
RI
RI
Smith, Alex ............................ 2-0
P
P
Smith, Andre ......................... 8-8
ROT
ROT
Still, Devon ............................ 8-0
PS
P
Tate, Brandon ....................... 9-3
P
P
Thompson, Brandon ............. 4-0
P
P
Whitworth, Andrew ................ 9-9
LOT
LOT
Wilder, James Jr. .................. 0-0
PS
PS
Williams, Shawn .................... 9-0
P
P
Wright, James ....................... 8-0
IL
P
Zeitler, Kevin ......................... 5-5
RG
RG
RI
— reserve/injured list
RPUP — reserve/physically unable to perform list
RNFI — reserve/non-football injury list
RNF-I — reserve/non-football illness list
RSBC — reserve/suspended by commissioner list
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
TENN. @N.E. CAR
@Ind. BALT. JAX.
CLE.
DT
DT
DT
DT
DT
DT
DT
NWT
NWT
PS
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
HB
HB
HB
HB
HB
IL
IL
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
LG
LG
LG
LG
LG
LG
LG
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
IL
IL
WLB
WLB
WLB
IL
IL
IL
IL
P
P
IL
P
P
P
P
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
P
P
IL
IL
IL
IL
IL
IL
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
QB
QB
QB
QB
QB
QB
QB
P
P
P
P
P
IL
P
P
P
P
SLB
P
P
P
LDE
LDE
LDE
LDE
LDE
LDE
LDE
RI^
RI^
RI^
RI^
RI^
RI^
RI^
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
NWT
NWT
IL
PS
PS
PS
NWT
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
RDE
RDE
RDE
RDE
RDE
RDE
RDE
WR
WR
IL
IL
IL
WR
WR
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
NWT
TE
TE
TE
TE
TE
TE
TE
RCB
RCB
RCB
RCB
RCB
RCB
IL
NWT
NWT
NWT
PS
PS
PS
PS
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
DNP
DNP
IL
IL
P
P
P
H-B
P
P
H-B
P
H-B
P
P
2ndHB P
P
HB
HB
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
PS
NWT
NWT
NWT
P
P
MLB
MLB
P
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
P
P
P
P
P
P
RCB
IL
IL
IL
RI
RI
RI
RI
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
SLB
SLB
SLB
IL
SLB
SLB
SLB
IL
IL
IL
IL
IL
P
DNP
NWT
NWT
NWT
P
P
3rdWR P
PS
PS
PS
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
MLB
MLB
MLB
IL
IL
IL
IL
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
RNFI RNFI RNFI RNFI RNFI RNFI RNFI
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
PS
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
2ndTE P
P
DNP
P
P
ROT
LCB
LCB
LCB
LCB
LCB
LCB
LCB
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
NT
NT
NT
NT
NT
NT
NT
RG
RG
RG
DNP
P
RG
P
IL
P
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
WLB
WLB
P
MLB
MLB
WLB
WLB
PS
PS
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
NWT
WR
WR
WR
WR
WR
WR
WR
P
P
P
3rdWR P
IL
IL
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
RI
ROT
ROT
ROT
ROT
ROT
ROT
IL
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
WR
WR
WR
P
P
IL
IL
IL
IL
IL
P
P
LOT
LOT
LOT
LOT
LOT
LOT
LOT
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
PS
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
IL
IL
IL
RG
RG
IL
RG
— 26 —
RF
—
REX
—
^
—
*
—
NWT —
10
11
@N.O. @Hou.
reserve/future list
roster exemption
reserve/injured player designated for return
eligible to practice with a roster exemption
not with team
12
13
14
15
16
@T.B. PITT. @Cle. DEN. @Pitt.
STARTING LINEUPS
DATE
OPPONENT
WR
LOT
LG
C
OFFENSE
RG
ROT
TE
H-B
WR
QB
HB
Sept. 7
Sept. 14
Sept. 21
Sept. 28
Oct. 5
Oct. 12
Oct. 19
Oct. 26
Nov. 2
Nov. 6
Nov. 16
Nov. 23
Nov. 30
Dec. 7
Dec. 14
Dec. 22
at Baltimore
ATLANTA
TENNESSEE
— BYE —
at New England
CAROLINA
at Indianapolis
BALTIMORE
JACKSONVILLE
CLEVELAND
at New Orleans
at Houston
at Tampa Bay
PITTSBURGH
at Cleveland
DENVER
Green
Green
Green
Whitworth
Whitworth
Whitworth
Boling
Boling
Boling
Bodine
Bodine
Bodine
Zeitler
Zeitler
Pollak
An.Smith
An.Smith
An.Smith
Gresham
Gresham
Gresham
Hewitt
Hewitt
Newhouse(2ndTE)
Eifert(2ndTE)
Sanu
Sanu
Dalton
Dalton
Dalton
Bernard
Bernard
Bernard
Green
Tate
Tate
Tate
Green
Green
Whitworth
Whitworth
Whitworth
Whitworth
Whitworth
Whitworth
Boling
Boling
Boling
Boling
Boling
Boling
Bodine
Bodine
Bodine
Bodine
Bodine
Bodine
Pollak
Pollak
Zeitler
Zeitler
Pollak
Zeitler
An.Smith
An.Smith
An.Smith
An.Smith
An.Smith
Newhouse
Gresham
Gresham
Gresham
Gresham
Gresham
Gresham
Hewitt
Hill(2ndHB)
Sanzenbacher(3rdWR)
Hewitt
Little(3rdWR)
Hewitt
Sanu
Sanu
Sanu
Sanu
Sanu
Sanu
Dalton
Dalton
Dalton
Dalton
Dalton
Dalton
Bernard
Bernard
Bernard
Bernard
Hill
Hill
Dec. 28
at Pittsburgh
DEFENSE
SLB
MLB
DATE
OPPONENT
LDE
NT
DT
RDE
WLB
LCB
RCB
SS
FS
Sept. 7
Sept. 14
Sept. 21
Sept. 28
Oct. 5
Oct. 12
Oct. 19
Oct. 26
Nov. 2
Nov. 6
Nov. 16
Nov. 23
Nov. 30
Dec. 7
Dec. 14
Dec. 22
Dec. 28
at Baltimore
ATLANTA
TENNESSEE
— BYE —
at New England
CAROLINA
at Indianapolis
BALTIMORE
JACKSONVILLE
CLEVELAND
at New Orleans
at Houston
at Tampa Bay
PITTSBURGH
at Cleveland
DENVER
at Pittsburgh
Dunlap
Dunlap
Dunlap
Peko
Peko
Peko
Atkins
Atkins
Atkins
Gilberry
Gilberry
Gilberry
Lamur
Lamur
Lamur
Maualuga
Maualuga
Maualuga
Burfict
Burfict
Rey
Newman
Newman
Newman
Hall
Hall
Hall
Iloka
Iloka
Iloka
Nelson
Nelson
Nelson
Dunlap
Dunlap
Dunlap
Dunlap
Dunlap
Dunlap
Peko
Peko
Peko
Peko
Peko
Peko
Atkins
Atkins
Atkins
Atkins
Atkins
Atkins
Gilberry
Gilberry
Gilberry
Gilberry
Gilberry
Gilberry
Lamur
Lamur
DiManche
Lamur
Lamur
Lamur
Maualuga
Maualuga
Rey
Rey
N.Johnson
N.Johnson
Rey
Burfict
Burfict
Burfict
Rey
Rey
Newman
Newman
Newman
Newman
Newman
Newman
Hall
Hall
Hall
Hall
Hall
A.Jones
Iloka
Iloka
Iloka
Iloka
Iloka
Iloka
Nelson
Nelson
Nelson
Nelson
Nelson
Nelson
— 27 —
DEPTH CHART
NOV. 11, 2014
OFFENSE
WR
LOT
LG
C
RG
ROT
TE
H-B/TE
WR
QB
HB
18 A.J. GREEN
77 ANDREW WHITWORTH
65 CLINT BOLING
61 RUSSELL BODINE
68 KEVIN ZEITLER
71 ANDRE SMITH
84 JERMAINE GRESHAM
89 RYAN HEWITT (H-back)
12 MOHAMED SANU
14 ANDY DALTON
25 GIOVANI BERNARD
19
74
67
67
60
72
83
83
11
17
32
LDE
NT
DT
RDE
SLB
MLB
WLB
LCB
RCB
SS
FS
96 CARLOS DUNLAP
94 DOMATA PEKO
97 GENO ATKINS
95 WALLACE GILBERRY
59 EMMANUEL LAMUR
58 REY MAUALUGA
55 VONTAZE BURFICT
23 TERENCE NEWMAN
29 LEON HALL
43 GEORGE ILOKA
20 REGGIE NELSON
99
98
75
91
51
52
57
27
24
36
26
P
K
LS
H
PR
KOR
10
2
46
10
19
19
Brandon Tate
Marshall Newhouse
Mike Pollak
Mike Pollak
T.J. Johnson
Tanner Hawkinson
Kevin Brock
Kevin Brock (TE)
Dane Sanzenbacher
Jason Campbell
Jeremy Hill
86
James Wright
60
T.J. Johnson
88
Greg Little
30 Cedric Peerman
33 Rex Burkhead
DEFENSE
Margus Hunt
Brandon Thompson
Devon Still
Robert Geathers
Jayson DiManche
Nico Johnson
Vincent Rey
Dre Kirkpatrick
Adam Jones
Shawn Williams
Taylor Mays
93
Will Clarke
53
37
21
Marquis Flowers
Chris Lewis-Harris
Darqueze Dennard
11
24
30
Dane Sanzenbacher
Adam Jones
Cedric Peerman
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kevin Huber
Mike Nugent
Clark Harris
Kevin Huber
Brandon Tate
Brandon Tate
24
11
Adam Jones
Dane Sanzenbacher
NOTE: Players whose names are CAPITALIZED are projected starters in the team’s base units. Rookies are underlined.
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Geno Atkins ................................................................................................. JEE-no
Giovani Bernard ..............................................................................jee-o-VAHN-ee
Russell Bodine ........................................................................................... BO-dine
Vontaze Burfict ................................... VONN-tez BER-fict(rhymes with “perfect”)
Darqueze Dennard .............................................................. dar-KWEZ deh-NARD
Jayson DiManche ............................................................................. dih-MAHNCH
Tyler Eifert (Reserve/Injured) ........................................... IE(rhymes with “tie”)-fert
Marquis Flowers .............................................. mar-KEECE(rhymes with “peace”)
Robert Geathers ........................................................... (pronounced as “gathers”)
Jermaine Gresham .............................................................. jer-MAIN GRESH-em
Paul Guenther (defensive coordinator)....................................................GUN-thur
Cobi Hamilton (practice squad)...................................................................KO-bee
Ryan Hewitt.................................................................................................. HUE-it
Margus Hunt .......................................................................................... MAR-guss
George Iloka ............................................................... ie(rhymes with “tie”)-LO-kuh
Nico Johnson.............................................................................................. NEE-ko
Dre Kirkpatrick ............................................................................................... DRAY
Emmanuel Lamur ...................................................................................... luh-MER
Rey Maualuga .................................... RAY mow(rhymes with “now”)-uh-LOO-guh
Onterio McCalebb (practice squad) ...................................................mc-KAY-lebb
Domata Peko ..................................................................... DOE-mah-tah PECK-o
Vincent Rey ..................................................................................................... RAY
Mohamed Sanu ........................................................................................suh-NOO
Dane Sanzenbacher ................................................................ SAHNZ-en-bock-er
Devon Still .................................................................................................. DEV-un
Ken Zampese (quarterbacks coach) .................................................zam-PEE-zee
Kevin Zeitler ............................................................................................... ZITE-ler
— 28 —
ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
NO. NAME
POS.
HT.
WT.
NOV. 11, 2014
BORN EXP.
COLLEGE
HOMETOWN
HOW ACQ.
97
Atkins, Geno ...................................................DT
6-1
303
3-28-88
5
Georgia
Pembroke Pines, Fla.
D4a’10
25
Bernard, Giovani ............................................ HB
5-9
208
11-22-91
2
North Carolina
Boca Raton, Fla.
D2a’13
61
Bodine, Russell ................................................. C
6-3
306
6-30-92
R
North Carolina
Scottsville, Va.
D4’14
65
Boling, Clint....................................................... G
6-5
310
5-9-89
4
Georgia
Alpharetta, Ga.
D4’11
83
Brock, Kevin.................................................... TE
6-5
264
4-9-86
2
Rutgers
Hackensack, N.J.
FA’13
55
Burfict, Vontaze .............................................. LB
6-1
248
9-24-90
3
Arizona State
Corona, Calif.
CFA’12
33
Burkhead, Rex ............................................... HB
5-10
215
7-2-90
2
Nebraska
Plano, Texas
D6a’13
17
Campbell, Jason ............................................ QB
6-5
235
12-31-81
10
Auburn
Laurel, Miss.
FA’14
93
Clarke, Will..................................................... DE
6-6
271
5-4-91
R
West Virginia
Pittsburgh, Pa.
D3’14
14
Dalton, Andy .................................................. QB
6-2
220
10-29-87
4
Texas Christian
Katy, Texas
D2’11
21
Dennard, Darqueze ....................................... CB
5-11
202
10-10-91
R
Michigan State
Dry Branch, Ga.
D1’14
51
DiManche, Jayson .......................................... LB
6-1
244
9-22-90
2
Southern Illinois
Hamilton, N.J.
CFA’13
96
Dunlap, Carlos ............................................... DE
6-6
280
2-28-89
5
Florida
North Charleston, S.C.
D2’10
53
Flowers, Marquis ............................................ LB
6-3
240
2-16-92
R
Arizona
Phoenix, Ariz.
D6’14
91
Geathers, Robert ........................................... DE
6-3
286
8-11-83
11
Georgia
Georgetown, S.C.
D4b’04
95
Gilberry, Wallace ........................................... DE
6-2
275
12-5-84
7
Alabama
Bay Minette, Ala.
FA’12
18
Green, A.J..................................................... WR
6-4
207
7-31-88
4
Georgia
Summerville, S.C.
D1’11
84
Gresham, Jermaine ........................................ TE
6-5
260
6-16-88
5
Oklahoma
Ardmore, Okla.
D1’10
29
Hall, Leon....................................................... CB
5-11
195
12-9-84
8
Michigan
Vista, Calif.
D1’07
46
Harris, Clark .................................................... LS
6-5
245
7-10-84
6
Rutgers
Manahawkin, N.J.
FA’09
72
Hawkinson, Tanner........................................ OT
6-5
300
5-14-90
2
Kansas
McPherson, Kan.
D5’13
89
Hewitt, Ryan ................................................. H-B
6-4
254
1-24-91
R
Stanford
Denver, Colo.
CFA’14
32
Hill, Jeremy .................................................... HB
6-1
235
10-20-92
R
Louisiana State
Baton Rouge, La.
D2’14
10
Huber, Kevin ..................................................... P
6-1
214
7-16-85
6
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
D5’09
99
Hunt, Margus ................................................. DE
6-8
290
7-14-87
2
Southern Methodist
Karksi-Nuia (Estonia)
D2b’13
43
Iloka, George .................................................... S
6-4
220
3-31-90
3
Boise State
Houston, Texas
D5c’12
52
Johnson, Nico ................................................. LB
6-2
249
6-19-90
2
Alabama
Andalusia, Ala.
PS(K.C.)’14
60
Johnson, T.J. ................................................ G/C
6-4
310
7-17-90
1
South Carolina
Aynor, S.C.
D7b’13
24
Jones, Adam .................................................. CB
5-10
186
9-30-83
8
West Virginia
Atlanta, Ga.
FA’10
27
Kirkpatrick, Dre .............................................. CB
6-2
190
10-26-89
3
Alabama
Gadsden, Ala.
D1a’12
59
Lamur, Emmanuel .......................................... LB
6-4
240
6-8-89
3
Kansas State
West Palm Beach, Fla.
CFA’12
37
Lewis-Harris, Chris ........................................ CB
5-10
186
2-11-89
2
Tennessee-Chattanooga Smyrna, Ga.
CFA’12
88
Little, Greg .................................................... WR
6-2
220
5-30-89
4
North Carolina
Durham, N.C.
FA’14
58
Maualuga, Rey................................................ LB
6-2
255
1-20-87
6
Southern California
Eureka, Calif.
D2’09
26
Mays, Taylor ..................................................... S
6-3
225
2-7-88
5
Southern California
Seattle, Wash.
T(S.F.)’11
20
Nelson, Reggie ................................................. S
5-11
210
9-21-83
8
Florida
Melbourne, Fla.
T(Jax.)’10
74
Newhouse, Marshall ...................................... OT
6-4
328
9-29-88
5
Texas Christian
Dallas, Texas
UFA(G.B.)’14
23
Newman, Terence ......................................... CB
5-10
197
9-4-78
12
Kansas State
Salina, Kan.
FA’12
2
Nugent, Mike..................................................... K
5-10
190
3-2-82
10
Ohio State
Centerville, Ohio
FA’10
30
Peerman, Cedric ............................................ HB
5-10
214
10-10-86
5
Virginia
Gladys, Va.
W(Det.)’10
94
Peko, Domata .................................................DT
6-3
322
11-27-84
9
Michigan State
Pago Pago (American Samoa)
D4’06
67
Pollak, Mike .................................................. G/C
6-3
300
2-16-85
7
Arizona State
Chandler, Ariz.
UFA(Car.)’13
57
Rey, Vincent ................................................... LB
6-0
255
9-6-87
4
Duke
Far Rockaway, N.Y.
CFA’10
12
Sanu, Mohamed ........................................... WR
6-2
210
8-22-89
3
Rutgers
South Brunswick, N.J.
D3a’12
11
Sanzenbacher, Dane .................................... WR
5-11
184
10-13-88
4
Ohio State
Toledo, Ohio
W(Chi.)’12
71
Smith, Andre .................................................. OT
6-4
340
1-25-87
6
Alabama
Birmingham, Ala.
D1’09
75
Still, Devon......................................................DT
6-5
310
7-11-89
3
Penn State
Wilmington, Del.
D2’12
19
Tate, Brandon ............................................... WR
6-1
195
10-5-87
6
North Carolina
Burlington, N.C.
W(N.E.)’11
98
Thompson, Brandon .......................................DT
6-2
315
10-19-89
3
Clemson
Thomasville, Ga.
D3b’12
77
Whitworth, Andrew ........................................ OT
6-7
330
12-12-81
9
Louisiana State
West Monroe, La.
D2’06
36
Williams, Shawn ............................................... S
6-0
216
5-13-91
2
Georgia
Damascus, Ga.
D3’13
86
Wright, James ............................................... WR
6-1
201
12-31-91
R
Louisiana State
Buras, La.
D7a’14
68
Zeitler, Kevin ..................................................... G
6-4
315
3-8-90
3
Wisconsin
Waukesha, Wis.
D1b’12
PRACTICE SQUAD (date assigned)
63
Cleary, Emmett (9-16-14) ...........................OT/G
6-7
324
4-27-90
1
Boston College
Arlington Heights, Ill.
FA’14
64
France, Dan (8-31-14) ................................... OT
6-5
315
4-1-91
R
Michigan State
North Royalton, Ohio
CFA’14
87
Hamilton, Cobi (10-14-14) ............................ WR
6-2
197
11-13-90
1
Arkansas
Texarkana, Texas
FA’14
50
Jackson, Justin (11-3-14) ............................... LB
6-0
232
8-24-91
R
Wake Forest
Rockingham, N.C.
FA’14
76
King, David (8-31-14) .....................................DT
6-4
300
12-27-89
1
Oklahoma
Houston, Texas
FA’13
39
McCalebb, Onterio (9-10-14)......................... CB
5-10
175
8-10-89
1
Auburn
Fort Meade, Fla.
CFA’13
70
Montgomery, Sam (8-31-14) ......................... DE
6-3
270
5-25-90
2
Louisiana State
Greenwood, S.C.
FA’14
80
Murphy, Jake (11-3-14) .................................. TE
6-4
252
9-21-89
R
Utah
Alpine, Utah
FA’14
16
Reese, Tevin (9-3-14)................................... WR
5-10
170
1-2-91
R
Baylor
Temple, Texas
FA’14
34
Wilder, James Jr. (8-31-14) ........................... HB
6-3
232
4-14-92
R
Florida State
Tampa, Fla.
CFA’14
RESERVE/NON-FOOTBALL INJURY (date assigned; injury)
5
McCarron, AJ (8-30-14; shoulder) ................. QB
6-3
220
9-13-90
R
Alabama
Mobile, Ala.
D5’14
RESERVE/INJURED (date assigned; injury)
85 + Eifert, Tyler (9-10-14; elbow) .......................... TE
6-6
250
9-8-90
2
Notre Dame
Fort Wayne, Ind.
D1’13
73
Hopkins, Trey (8-30-14; leg) ............................. G
6-3
310
7-6-92
R
Texas
Houston, Texas
CFA’14
82
Jones, Marvin (10-14-14; ankle)................... WR
6-2
198
3-12-90
3
California
Fontana, Calif.
D5b’12
56
Porter, Sean (10-7-14; knee).......................... LB
6-1
242
1-12-91
2
Texas A&M
Schertz, Texas
D4’13
50
Schaffer, J.K. (8-27-14; concussion) .............. LB
6-0
232
6-10-90
2
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
FA’12
81
Smith, Alex (9-16-14; biceps) ......................... TE
6-4
250
5-22-82
10
Stanford
Denver, Colo.
UFA(Cle.)’13
COACHING STAFF: Head coach: Marvin Lewis. Assistants: Paul Alexander (assistant head coach/offensive line), Brian Braswell (offensive assistant/quality control), Matt Burke
(linebackers), Mark Carrier (defensive backs), Kyle Caskey (running backs), Brayden Coombs (assistant special teams/quality control), Jeff Friday (assistant strength and conditioning),
Paul Guenther (defensive coordinator), Jay Hayes (defensive line), Jonathan Hayes (tight ends), Hue Jackson (offensive coordinator), Vance Joseph (defensive backs), Marcus Lewis
(defensive assistant/quality control), David Lippincott (assistant linebackers/quality control), Chip Morton (strength and conditioning), Darrin Simmons (special teams coordinator), James
Urban (wide receivers), Ken Zampese (quarterbacks).
NOTE: A plus sign (+) indicates a player on the Reserve/Injured list who is designated for possible return to the active roster in 2014.
— 29 —
NUMERICAL ROSTER
NO. NAME
POS.
HT.
WT.
NOV. 11, 2014
BORN EXP.
COLLEGE
HOMETOWN
HOW ACQ.
2
Mike Nugent...................................................... K
5-10
190
3-2-82
10
Ohio State
Centerville, Ohio
FA’10
10
Kevin Huber ...................................................... P
6-1
214
7-16-85
6
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
D5’09
11
Dane Sanzenbacher ..................................... WR
5-11
184
10-13-88
4
Ohio State
Toledo, Ohio
W(Chi.)’12
12
Mohamed Sanu ............................................ WR
6-2
210
8-22-89
3
Rutgers
South Brunswick, N.J.
D3a’12
14
Andy Dalton ................................................... QB
6-2
220
10-29-87
4
Texas Christian
Katy, Texas
D2’11
17
Jason Campbell ............................................. QB
6-5
235
12-31-81
10
Auburn
Laurel, Miss.
FA’14
18
A.J. Green..................................................... WR
6-4
207
7-31-88
4
Georgia
Summerville, S.C.
D1’11
19
Brandon Tate ................................................ WR
6-1
195
10-5-87
6
North Carolina
Burlington, N.C.
W(N.E.)’11
20
Reggie Nelson .................................................. S
5-11
210
9-21-83
8
Florida
Melbourne, Fla.
T(Jax.)’10
21
Darqueze Dennard ........................................ CB
5-11
202
10-10-91
R
Michigan State
Dry Branch, Ga.
D1’14
23
Terence Newman .......................................... CB
5-10
197
9-4-78
12
Kansas State
Salina, Kan.
FA’12
24
Adam Jones ................................................... CB
5-10
186
9-30-83
8
West Virginia
Atlanta, Ga.
FA’10
25
Giovani Bernard ............................................. HB
5-9
208
11-22-91
2
North Carolina
Boca Raton, Fla.
D2a’13
26
Taylor Mays ...................................................... S
6-3
225
2-7-88
5
Southern California
Seattle, Wash.
T(S.F.)’11
27
Dre Kirkpatrick ............................................... CB
6-2
190
10-26-89
3
Alabama
Gadsden, Ala.
D1a’12
29
Leon Hall........................................................ CB
5-11
195
12-9-84
8
Michigan
Vista, Calif.
D1’07
30
Cedric Peerman ............................................. HB
5-10
214
10-10-86
5
Virginia
Gladys, Va.
W(Det.)’10
32
Jeremy Hill ..................................................... HB
6-1
235
10-20-92
R
Louisiana State
Baton Rouge, La.
D2’14
33
Rex Burkhead ................................................ HB
5-10
215
7-2-90
2
Nebraska
Plano, Texas
D6a’13
36
Shawn Williams ................................................ S
6-0
216
5-13-91
2
Georgia
Damascus, Ga.
D3’13
37
Chris Lewis-Harris ......................................... CB
5-10
186
2-11-89
2
Tennessee-Chattanooga Smyrna, Ga.
CFA’12
43
George Iloka ..................................................... S
6-4
220
3-31-90
3
Boise State
Houston, Texas
D5c’12
46
Clark Harris ..................................................... LS
6-5
245
7-10-84
6
Rutgers
Manahawkin, N.J.
FA’09
51
Jayson DiManche ........................................... LB
6-1
244
9-22-90
2
Southern Illinois
Hamilton, N.J.
CFA’13
52
Nico Johnson .................................................. LB
6-2
249
6-19-90
2
Alabama
Andalusia, Ala.
PS(K.C.)’14
53
Marquis Flowers ............................................. LB
6-3
240
2-16-92
R
Arizona
Phoenix, Ariz.
D6’14
55
Vontaze Burfict ............................................... LB
6-1
248
9-24-90
3
Arizona State
Corona, Calif.
CFA’12
57
Vincent Rey .................................................... LB
6-0
255
9-6-87
4
Duke
Far Rockaway, N.Y.
CFA’10
58
Rey Maualuga................................................. LB
6-2
255
1-20-87
6
Southern California
Eureka, Calif.
D2’09
59
Emmanuel Lamur ........................................... LB
6-4
240
6-8-89
3
Kansas State
West Palm Beach, Fla.
CFA’12
60
T.J. Johnson ................................................. G/C
6-4
310
7-17-90
1
South Carolina
Aynor, S.C.
D7b’13
61
Russell Bodine .................................................. C
6-3
306
6-30-92
R
North Carolina
Scottsville, Va.
D4’14
65
Clint Boling........................................................ G
6-5
310
5-9-89
4
Georgia
Alpharetta, Ga.
D4’11
67
Mike Pollak ................................................... G/C
6-3
300
2-16-85
7
Arizona State
Chandler, Ariz.
UFA(Car.)’13
68
Kevin Zeitler ...................................................... G
6-4
315
3-8-90
3
Wisconsin
Waukesha, Wis.
D1b’12
71
Andre Smith ................................................... OT
6-4
340
1-25-87
6
Alabama
Birmingham, Ala.
D1’09
72
Tanner Hawkinson ......................................... OT
6-5
300
5-14-90
2
Kansas
McPherson, Kan.
D5’13
74
Marshall Newhouse ....................................... OT
6-4
328
9-29-88
5
Texas Christian
Dallas, Texas
UFA(G.B.)’14
75
Devon Still.......................................................DT
6-5
310
7-11-89
3
Penn State
Wilmington, Del.
D2’12
77
Andrew Whitworth ......................................... OT
6-7
330
12-12-81
9
Louisiana State
West Monroe, La.
D2’06
83
Kevin Brock..................................................... TE
6-5
264
4-9-86
2
Rutgers
Hackensack, N.J.
FA’13
84
Jermaine Gresham ......................................... TE
6-5
260
6-16-88
5
Oklahoma
Ardmore, Okla.
D1’10
86
James Wright ................................................ WR
6-1
201
12-31-91
R
Louisiana State
Buras, La.
D7a’14
88
Greg Little ..................................................... WR
6-2
220
5-30-89
4
North Carolina
Durham, N.C.
FA’14
89
Ryan Hewitt .................................................. H-B
6-4
254
1-24-91
R
Stanford
Denver, Colo.
CFA’14
91
Robert Geathers ............................................ DE
6-3
286
8-11-83
11
Georgia
Georgetown, S.C.
D4b’04
93
Will Clarke...................................................... DE
6-6
271
5-4-91
R
West Virginia
Pittsburgh, Pa.
D3’14
94
Domata Peko ..................................................DT
6-3
322
11-27-84
9
Michigan State
Pago Pago (American Samoa)
D4’06
95
Wallace Gilberry ............................................ DE
6-2
275
12-5-84
7
Alabama
Bay Minette, Ala.
FA’12
96
Carlos Dunlap ................................................ DE
6-6
280
2-28-89
5
Florida
North Charleston, S.C.
D2’10
97
Geno Atkins ....................................................DT
6-1
303
3-28-88
5
Georgia
Pembroke Pines, Fla.
D4a’10
98
Brandon Thompson ........................................DT
6-2
315
10-19-89
3
Clemson
Thomasville, Ga.
D3b’12
99
Margus Hunt .................................................. DE
6-8
290
7-14-87
2
Southern Methodist
Karksi-Nuia (Estonia)
D2b’13
PRACTICE SQUAD (date assigned)
16
Tevin Reese (9-3-14).................................... WR
5-10
170
1-2-91
R
Baylor
Temple, Texas
FA’14
34
James Wilder Jr. (8-31-14) ............................ HB
6-3
232
4-14-92
R
Florida State
Tampa, Fla.
CFA’14
39
Onterio McCalebb (9-10-14).......................... CB
5-10
175
8-10-89
1
Auburn
Fort Meade, Fla.
CFA’13
50
Justin Jackson (11-3-14) ................................ LB
6-0
232
8-24-91
R
Wake Forest
Rockingham, N.C.
FA’14
63
Emmett Cleary (9-16-14) ............................OT/G
6-7
324
4-27-90
1
Boston College
Arlington Heights, Ill.
FA’14
64
Dan France (8-31-14) .................................... OT
6-5
315
4-1-91
R
Michigan State
North Royalton, Ohio
CFA’14
70
Sam Montgomery (8-31-14) .......................... DE
6-3
270
5-25-90
2
Louisiana State
Greenwood, S.C.
FA’14
76
David King (8-31-14) ......................................DT
6-4
300
12-27-89
1
Oklahoma
Houston, Texas
FA’13
80
Jake Murphy (11-3-14) ................................... TE
6-4
252
9-21-89
R
Utah
Alpine, Utah
FA’14
87
Cobi Hamilton (10-14-14) ............................. WR
6-2
197
11-13-90
1
Arkansas
Texarkana, Texas
FA’14
RESERVE/NON-FOOTBALL INJURY (date assigned; injury)
5
AJ McCarron (8-30-14; shoulder) .................. QB
6-3
220
9-13-90
R
Alabama
Mobile, Ala.
D5’14
RESERVE/INJURED (date assigned; injury)
50
J.K. Schaffer (8-27-14; concussion) ............... LB
6-0
232
6-10-90
2
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
FA’12
56
Sean Porter (10-7-14; knee)........................... LB
6-1
242
1-12-91
2
Texas A&M
Schertz, Texas
D4’13
73
Trey Hopkins (8-30-14; leg) .............................. G
6-3
310
7-6-92
R
Texas
Houston, Texas
CFA’14
81
Alex Smith (9-16-14; biceps) .......................... TE
6-4
250
5-22-82
10
Stanford
Denver, Colo.
UFA(Cle.)’13
82
Marvin Jones (10-14-14; ankle).................... WR
6-2
198
3-12-90
3
California
Fontana, Calif.
D5b’12
85 + Tyler Eifert (9-10-14; elbow) ........................... TE
6-6
250
9-8-90
2
Notre Dame
Fort Wayne, Ind.
D1’13
COACHING STAFF: Head coach: Marvin Lewis. Assistants: Paul Alexander (assistant head coach/offensive line), Brian Braswell (offensive assistant/quality control), Matt Burke
(linebackers), Mark Carrier (defensive backs), Kyle Caskey (running backs), Brayden Coombs (assistant special teams/quality control), Jeff Friday (assistant strength and conditioning),
Paul Guenther (defensive coordinator), Jay Hayes (defensive line), Jonathan Hayes (tight ends), Hue Jackson (offensive coordinator), Vance Joseph (defensive backs), Marcus Lewis
(defensive assistant/quality control), David Lippincott (assistant linebackers/quality control), Chip Morton (strength and conditioning), Darrin Simmons (special teams coordinator), James
Urban (wide receivers), Ken Zampese (quarterbacks).
NOTE: A plus sign (+) indicates a player on the Reserve/Injured list who is designated for possible return to the active roster in 2014.
— 30 —
STATISTICS
RECORD: 5-3-1
DATE
9-7
9-14
9-21
9-28
10-5
10-12
10-19
10-26
11-2
11-6
11-16
11-23
11-30
12-7
12-14
12-22
12-28
W-L
W
W
W
SCORE
23-16
24-10
33-7
L
T
L
W
W
L
17-43
37-37
0-27
27-24
33-23
3-24
OPPONENT
ATTENDANCE
at Baltimore
70,925
ATLANTA
58,574
TENNESSEE
56,743
— BYE —
at New England
68,756
CAROLINA
57,053
at Indianapolis
66,539
BALTIMORE
55,711
JACKSONVILLE
60,057
CLEVELAND
65,871
at New Orleans
at Houston
at Tampa Bay
PITTSBURGH
at Cleveland
DENVER
at Pittsburgh
TEAM STATISTICS
BENGALS
TOTAL FIRST DOWNS ...........................................169
Rushing ...............................................................63
Passing ................................................................88
Penalty .................................................................18
3rd Down: Made-Att. .................................... 41-117
3rd Down Pct. ...................................................35.0
4th Down: Made-Att. .......................................... 2-5
4th Down Pct. ...................................................40.0
POSSESSION AVG. ............................................. 27:45
TOTAL NET YARDS ..............................................3058
Avg. Per Game ............................................... 339.8
Total Plays .........................................................561
Avg. Per Play ......................................................5.5
NET YARDS RUSHING .........................................1057
Avg. Per Game ............................................... 117.4
Total Rushes......................................................253
NET YARDS PASSING .........................................2001
Avg. Per Game ............................................... 222.3
Sacked-Yards Lost ........................................ 12-76
Gross Yards .....................................................2077
Att.-Completions ........................................ 296-180
Completion Pct. ................................................60.8
Had Intercepted .....................................................9
PUNTS-AVG. .................................................... 44-47.5
Net Punting Avg. ......................................... 44-44.3
PENALTIES-YARDS.......................................... 58-461
FUMBLES-BALLS LOST ......................................... 8-5
TOUCHDOWNS ........................................................21
Rushing ...............................................................12
Passing ..................................................................9
Returns ..................................................................0
SCORE BY PERIODS
1
BENGALS .............................................29
OPPONENTS .......................................37
2
57
32
3
52
64
OPPONENTS
211
78
114
19
48-128
37.5
7-12
58.3
32:15
3527
391.9
650
5.4
1287
143.0
284
2240
248.9
13-81
2321
353-209
59.2
10
39-41.9
39-33.8
65-563
9-4
23
12
10
1
4
56
75
OT
3
3
PTS
197
211
SCORING
TD TD-R TD-P TD-Rt K-PAT
FG S PTS
Mike Nugent................... 0
0
0
0 20-20 15-21 0 65
Giovani Bernard ............. 5
5
0
0
—
— 0 30
Jeremy Hill ..................... 5
5
0
0
—
— 0 30
Mohamed Sanu ............. 4
0
4
0
—
— 0 26
Andy Dalton ................... 3
2
1
0
—
— 0 18
A.J. Green...................... 3
0
3
0
—
— 0 18
Brandon Tate ................. 1
0
1
0
—
— 0
6
Taylor Mays ................... 0
0
0
0
—
— 1
2
BENGALS .................... 21
12
9
0 20-20 15-21 2 197
OPPONENTS .............. 23
12
10
1 20-20 17-22 0 211
Two-point conversions: Sanu 1 (1 P). BENGALS 1-1 (0-0 R,
1-1 P), OPPONENTS 1-3 (1-2 R, 0-1 P).
Sacks-yards: Carlos Dunlap 4.5-31.5, Geno Atkins 1.5-12.5,
Reggie Nelson 1.5-12.5, Wallace Gilberry 1.5-8.5, Robert Geathers 1-7,
Margus Hunt 1-6, Darqueze Dennard 1-3, Domata Peko 1-0. BENGALS
13-81, OPPONENTS 12-76.
Fumbles-lost: A.J. Green 2-1, Andy Dalton 1-1, Jeremy Hill 1-1,
Dane Sanzenbacher 1-1, Brandon Tate 1-1, Jermaine Gresham 1-0,
Adam Jones 1-0. BENGALS 8-5, OPPONENTS 9-4.
PASSING
ATT
Andy Dalton ................................... 281
Jason Campbell ............................... 13
Mohamed Sanu ................................. 2
BENGALS ...................................... 296
OPPONENTS ................................ 353
*
CMP
171
7
2
180
209
YDS
1960
49
68
2077
2321
CMP%
60.9
53.8
100.0
60.8
59.2
RUSHING
ATT
Giovani Bernard............................... 109
Jeremy Hill ......................................... 86
Andy Dalton ....................................... 30
Mohamed Sanu ................................... 4
James Wright....................................... 2
Cedric Peerman................................. 12
Brandon Tate ....................................... 3
Rex Burkhead ...................................... 4
A.J. Green ........................................... 2
Ryan Hewitt ......................................... 1
BENGALS ....................................... 253
OPPONENTS .................................. 284
YDS
446
404
86
40
24
22
21
12
2
0
1057
1287
AVG
4.1
4.7
2.9
10.0
12.0
1.8
7.0
3.0
1.0
0.0
4.2
4.5
LG
89t
60t
20
26
13
4
12
7
5
0
89t
43
TD
5
5
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
12
RECEIVING
REC
Mohamed Sanu ................................. 41
Jermaine Gresham ............................ 36
A.J. Green ......................................... 23
Giovani Bernard................................. 22
Jeremy Hill ......................................... 15
Brandon Tate ..................................... 14
Dane Sanzenbacher ............................ 7
Greg Little ............................................ 5
Rex Burkhead ...................................... 4
Tyler Eifert ........................................... 3
Cedric Peerman................................... 3
Ryan Hewitt ......................................... 3
Kevin Brock ......................................... 2
James Wright....................................... 1
Andy Dalton ......................................... 1
BENGALS ....................................... 180
OPPONENTS .................................. 209
YDS
648
276
381
179
146
159
87
63
13
37
27
18
1
24
18
2077
2321
AVG
15.8
7.7
16.6
8.1
9.7
11.4
12.4
12.6
3.3
12.3
9.0
6.0
0.5
24.0
18.0
11.5
11.1
LG
76t
23
77t
46
38
50
26
21
8
20
17
7
4
24
18t
77t
80t
TD
4
0
3
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
9
10
INTERCEPTIONS
NO
George Iloka ........................................ 3
Reggie Nelson ..................................... 2
Emmanuel Lamur ................................ 2
Adam Jones......................................... 1
Robert Geathers .................................. 1
Leon Hall ............................................. 1
BENGALS ......................................... 10
OPPONENTS ...................................... 9
YDS
58
31
6
12
2
-3
106
148
AVG
19.3
15.5
3.0
12.0
2.0
-3.0
10.6
16.4
LG
28
31
5
12
2
-3
31
80
TD
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
PUNTING
NO
Kevin Huber ................ 44
BENGALS .................. 44
OPPONENTS ............. 39
YDS AVG NET TB IN-20 LG BLK.
2091 47.5 44.3 3
18 69
0
2091 47.5 44.3 3
18 69
0
1634 41.9 33.8 4
7 59
1
PUNT RETURNS
NO
Adam Jones..............................13
Brandon Tate ..............................7
BENGALS ................................20
OPPONENTS ...........................16
FC
0
10
10
10
YDS
193
42
235
82
AVG
14.8
6.0
11.8
5.1
LG
47
11
47
11
TD
0
0
0
0
KICKOFF RETURNS
NO
Adam Jones....................................... 12
Brandon Tate ..................................... 12
BENGALS ......................................... 24
OPPONENTS .................................... 30
YDS
383
257
640
780
AVG
31.9
21.4
26.7
26.0
LG
97
31
97
47
TD
0
0
0
0
FIELD GOALS
1-19
20-29 30-39
40-49 50+
Mike Nugent .............................. 0-0
4-4
6-8
5-7
0-2
BENGALS ................................. 0-0
4-4
6-8
5-7
0-2
OPPONENTS ............................ 1-1
3-3
5-6
5-8
3-4
Mike Nugent: (49G, 22G, 28G, 46G, 38G, 45B), (31G, 38WR,
49WL, 55SH), (29G), (52SH, 23G), (44G, 38G, 42G, 36WR), (—), (32G,
33G), (31G), (43G).
Opponents: (55WR, 38G), (46G), (40WR, 44WR), (48G, 19G, 23G,
47G, 35G), (39G, 38WR, 44G, 36G), (23G, 50G), (45G, 50G, 53G),
(25G), (32G, 44WR).
YDS/ATT
6.98
3.77
34.00
7.02
6.58
TD
8
0
1
9
10
TD%
2.8
0.0
50.0
3.0
2.8
INT
9
0
0
9
10
INT%
3.2
0.0
0.0
3.0
2.8
NOTE: All defensive statistics above are press box statistics produced at the games.
— 31 —
LG
77t
38
50
77t
80t
SKD-YDS
11-70
0-0
1-6
12-76
13-81
RAT
78.0
62.7
158.3
79.5
76.5
DEFENSE*
ST
Emmanuel Lamur ..... 31
Reggie Nelson .......... 35
Vincent Rey .............. 22
Terence Newman ..... 33
George Iloka ............. 34
Adam Jones ............. 31
Leon Hall .................. 27
Carlos Dunlap........... 23
Wallace Gilberry ....... 13
Domata Peko............ 16
Vontaze Burfict ......... 15
Geno Atkins .............. 12
Rey Maualuga ............ 9
Devon Still .................. 9
Robert Geathers ......... 6
Brandon Thompson .... 5
Nico Johnson.............. 7
Dre Kirkpatrick ............ 6
Jayson DiManche ....... 4
Margus Hunt ............... 4
Darqueze Dennard ..... 4
Marquis Flowers ......... 2
AT
29
24
31
17
13
11
12
15
21
17
14
7
10
8
7
7
4
2
3
2
1
2
TT SKS-YDS INT-YDS PD
60
0-0
2-6 7
59 1.5-12.5
2-31 6
53
0-0
0-0 3
50
0-0
0-0 8
47
0-0
3-58 8
42
0-0
1-12 9
39
0-0
1-(-3) 4
38 4.5-31.5
0-0 1
34
1.5-8.5
0-0 2
33
1-0
0-0 0
29
0-0
0-0 2
19 1.5-12.5
0-0 1
19
0-0
0-0 0
17
0-0
0-0 0
13
1-7
1-2 2
12
0-0
0-0 0
11
0-0
0-0 0
8
0-0
0-0 1
7
0-0
0-0 0
6
1-6
0-0 1
5
1-3
0-0 0
4
0-0
0-0 1
FF FR-YDS
0
0-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
0
1-0
0
0-0
1
1-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
1
1-0
1
0-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
0
0-0
SPECIAL TEAMS* ST AT TT FF FR-YDS BP BFG BXP
Dre Kirkpatrick ....................... 6 1 7 0
0-0 0
0
0
Cedric Peerman .................... 6 1 7 0
0-0 0
0
0
Shawn Williams ..................... 4 2 6 0
1-0 0
0
0
James Wright ........................ 5 0 5 1
0-0 0
0
0
Darqueze Dennard ................ 4 1 5 0
0-0 0
0
0
Taylor Mays ........................... 4 0 4 0
0-0 1
0
0
Nico Johnson......................... 1 2 3 0
0-0 0
0
0
Jayson DiManche .................. 2 0 2 0
0-0 0
0
0
Marquis Flowers .................... 1 1 2 0
0-0 0
0
0
Reggie Nelson ....................... 1 1 2 0
0-0 0
0
0
Rex Burkhead........................ 1 0 1 0
0-0 0
0
0
Clark Harris ........................... 1 0 1 0
0-0 0
0
0
Margus Hunt .......................... 1 0 1 0
0-0 0
0
0
Emmanuel Lamur .................. 1 0 1 0
0-0 0
0
0
Terence Newman .................. 1 0 1 0
0-0 0
0
0
Mike Nugent .......................... 1 0 1 0
0-0 0
0
0
Ryan Hewitt ........................... 0 1 1 0
0-0 0
0
0