3 Disturbing Thoughts After Bengals Loss To Dallas
By Emile Pierce
Another road loss is the result, after battling the Dallas Cowboys. Even with the return of Eifert, can the Bengals answer a few disturbing questions?
The Cincinnati Bengals were supposed to put some rumors to rest. Instead, they got handed a 28-14 thumping by the Dallas Cowboys. The much-anticipated battle at AT&T Stadium was out of control from the moment Dem Boys won the coin toss. The Bengals seemed to come out flat and uninspired. There were more than a few things exposed in the highly televised contest. Here’s what went through my mind.
What Happened To The D?
The Bengals were riddled by a Dallas offense that was supposed to be handicapped without a few key pieces. The Boys were without quarterback Tony Romo (back) and left guard La’el Collins (toe). Dez Bryant was also out with a knee injury. What happened? The D got shredded. A once proud Bengals defense gave up 180 yards on the ground.
Ezekiel Elliott touched the football a mere 15 times. He didn’t need to carry any more than that. Elliot led the Boys with 134 yards and an 8.9 average.
Bengals fans need to be “very” concerned. Week 6 is a trip to Foxboro. That means it’s time to battle Tom Brady and the Patriots. If the Bengals think Dak Prescott worked them over, wait until Brady cuts loose at home. The Browns got a taste of his Deflategate anger…it wasn’t pretty.
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Where Is The Running Game?
Yes, Jeremy Hill got hurt and sat most of the game. Giovani Bernard looked good…right? Bernard looked decent in spurts. But, the ground game is still invisible.
Looking at the box score can lead to unbalanced perceptions. At first glance, it looks like the Bengals had a decent day at the office. Rushing for 96 yards is a good day for any offense. But, when Andy Dalton has 34 of those yards because he was running for his life…that ain’t good.
Before the season gets way outta hand, Bengals brass, i.e., Marvin Lewis, needs to sit Ken Zampese down and decipher this offense. There’s no balance to keep opposing defenses honest. Even though the Cowboys allowed Dalton to pass for 269 yards, there was still no threat outside of A.J. Green.
Has The Offensive Line Wilted?
Another week, another episode of The Sacks of Our Lives. Last year, Dalton was given time to drop back and pass. He was sacked the least of any quarterback in the league. This season’s edition of the Bengals O-line has given up so many sacks it’s like a White Castles commercial.
If it wasn’t sacks, it was the inability to open holes for the running game. Cedric Ogbuehi was supposed to be the answer for Andre Smith. Right about now, the Bengals would probably take the inconsistent Smith over the youngster. Smith’s worst seems better than Ogbuehi’s best. The excuses for inexperience on the line have to stop. Either Ogbuehi starts to shine or he can be considered a bust.
Pro Bowl tackle Andrew Whitworth truly summed it up best. The Bengals need an overhaul…immediately.
"“We’ve got to execute better in a lot of different ways and then come up with some of those miraculous plays you see every year that just make a difference in a game. We just don’t quite have it yet. But the bottom line is in this game, at this level of play, the only way you get it is to put your head down and just keep banging. Hopefully, our resolve on this team will be to come back next week and play the best football game we can play since this was our worst this season.”"
It’s still early. But, time is running out.