Aug 24, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) calls a play in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Preview
The Cincinnati Bengals head to the heart of the desert to take on the 7-2 Arizona Cardinals on Sunday Night Football this week. It finishes up a three game prime time run that the Bengals endured, so far going 1-1. Arizona will be, by far, the toughest team the Bengals have faced so far this season, outside off traditional division rivals. We have given you our
, now here is a preview of what to expect.
The Arizona Cardinals offense, led by former Bengals QB Carson Palmer, is 0-1 against his former team and will look to his well balanced offense, run by former Steelers offensive coordinator, now Arizona’s head coach, Bruce Arians. Palmer will also look to Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd to cause havoc in the secondary and running back Chris Johnson to balance out the third best offensive attacks in the NFL.
The Bengals defense has been nothing short of spectacular in many aspect this season. They will need to have another clutch game as they go against the second best points per game offense in the NFL. They will need to force pressure on Carson Palmer, contain Chris Johnson, and stick to the NFC’s best wide receiving duo. If they can limit the penalties and execute shutting down the offense, like they did to the Seahawks in the fourth quarter, this team has a legitimate chance.
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The Bengals, led by Andy Dalton, suffered their first loss of the season last week against the Texans and although Dalton had a good game himself, Tyler Eifert dropped passes, and a key fumble by A.J. Green sealed their fate. They have a chance at redemption this week. In fact, Eifert has only had one game this season where he has not scored a touchdown after being blanked the week before. Andy Dalton will need better protection though if they expect to get better results.
The Cardinals defense is number three in yards allowed per game and eleventh in points allowed per game. They will look to improve both those numbers against an offensive line that has been struggling without Andre Smith, who is on pace to return this week. Led by a strong secondary, the Cardinals will look to shut down A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, and Tyler Eifert from doing what the Bengals have done well this season, move the ball.
If the Bengals can find a way to win, they will stop, what the Broncos and Packers both currently suffer from, a bad losing streak. It will also prove that their Monday night loss was just one bad game and that they still deserve to be talked about when it comes to a deep playoff caliber team.