Stripe Hype Roundtable: Bengals host Panthers

Jun 11, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals helmets sit in the end zone during minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

This week I had a chance to sit down with David, editor, and Tyler, staff writer, of stripehype.com on the Bengals upcoming matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Here is what they had to say:

The Bengals suffered their worst loss in years. What does this Bengals team need to do against the Panther to get back on the right side of the scoreboard?

David: The Bengals need to start having better situational awareness.  Of course having their field general, Vontaze Burfict, out was a big deal.  But some of these other defenders need to be aware of play recognition and calling.  If not, opposing teams may have just seen the Achilles’ heel of this usually stout defense.

Tyler: It is as simple as the Bengals just needing to play at home. They are an entirely different team at home. The stars just aligned in the New England game for the Bengals to get stomped. The Patriots record after a loss, their record at home against AFC teams, the Bengals track record on SNF, and the fact that Vontaze Burfict did not play. This week the tables are 100% turned.

Seeing the Bengals get their first loss, what are the weaknesses for both the offense and defense that will need to be fixed going forward in order for this team to compete against the elite?

Tyler: It is hard to take a lot away from that loss. Like I said before, there were just too many factors involved for it to be considered an ordinary loss. But I think the biggest weakness was that the Bengals could not defend the no-huddle, hurry up offense. They ran the same basic zone defense all night and had little time to adjust. The pass rush was not there, and Tom Brady found every single hole in every single zone.

David: See above for defense.  As far as offense goes, the Bengals really need to commit to the run. Relying on their ground attack will limit the amount of time the defense spends on the field, while also limiting offensive opportunities for the opposing team.  This team went down-the-field to often last week rather than “moving the chains.”  Jeremy Hill only played 11 snaps.  This needs to change quickly.