Week 2: Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos

[jth1331]

The defense blew in the 2nd half. The Bengals were lighting up the Broncos in the passing game.
And its funny how McGahee has 1 start with the Broncos and runs for 100 yards while Moreno in 2+ years now still only has 2 100 yard games.

[Broncos86]

Quote: Originally Posted by jth1331

The defense blew in the 2nd half. The Bengals were lighting up the Broncos in the passing game. And its funny how McGahee has 1 start with the Broncos and runs for 100 yards while Moreno in 2+ years now still only has 2 100 yard games.

When your QB throws the ball 41 times in a game, he's probably going to have inflated stats. Dalton averaged 12 yards per completion, compared to Orton's 13 yards per completion. Combine the amount of passes thrown by Dalton with the fact that Denver was missing their top pass rusher, their top CB, and they had just signed another CB, and one might come to the conclusion that success was going to happen in the passing game.

That all being said, the Denver defense also made key stops on 3rd/4th and short, which (as commented before) was where the Bengals lost the game, and was able to come up with timely plays when it mattered. Big plays don't matter if you can't get off the field. Combine that with the fact that offensive penalties by Denver often ended in 3/outs, causing the Denver defense to hit the field quickly.

Despite everything, Denver was able to put up enough points and keep the Bengals from marching down the field one last time. I would hardly use the terms "blew" or anything else. They have a lot of room for improvement, but any real Denver fan would be happy with the improved run-defense and the overall performance considering the key injuries that were suffered.

[clerks37]

Was a big Dalton fan at TCU think he showed some good and some bad in this game but he might make Palmer extendable.

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Dalton looked really good. The Bengals may surprise some people this year. Not a playoff team, but not nearly as bad as many people thought.

[jth1331]

Quote: Originally Posted by Broncos86

When your QB throws the ball 41 times in a game, he's probably going to have inflated stats. Dalton averaged 12 yards per completion, compared to Orton's 13 yards per completion. Combine the amount of passes thrown by Dalton with the fact that Denver was missing their top pass rusher, their top CB, and they had just signed another CB, and one might come to the conclusion that success was going to happen in the passing game. That all being said, the Denver defense also made key stops on 3rd/4th and short, which (as commented before) was where the Bengals lost the game, and was able to come up with timely plays when it mattered. Big plays don't matter if you can't get off the field. Combine that with the fact that offensive penalties by Denver often ended in 3/outs, causing the Denver defense to hit the field quickly. Despite everything, Denver was able to put up enough points and keep the Bengals from marching down the field one last time. I would hardly use the terms "blew" or anything else. They have a lot of room for improvement, but any real Denver fan would be happy with the improved run-defense and the overall performance considering the key injuries that were suffered.

They gave up 19 points in the 2nd half and 280 passing yards. That is terrible.
And injuries happen, you need the depth to overcome them. We have crap depth at CB and on the DL.

[Jonsco28]

Quote: Originally Posted by jth1331

They gave up 19 points in the 2nd half and 280 passing yards. That is terrible. And injuries happen, you need the depth to overcome them. We have crap depth at CB and on the DL.

The game was as close as it was because of two plays: Orton's fumble and that long pass on 2nd and 23 (following Miller's first sack).

Denver was really hurt by injuries, and I thought they were in a lot of trouble going into that game with the number of starters that were out. Throw in the fact that they lost the turnover battle and their top two wide receivers were on the sidleline, I think they did well getting the victory. True, Denver is lacking in depth, but their reserves stepped up and made plays when they had to do so. Their defense was great on third down for the first time in a long time.

[Jonsco28]

Quote: Originally Posted by av7

How about that Robert Ayers, boy has he sure turned on that switch since they put him back on the line.

He actually won them the game with his play on that crucial fourth down.

[SlimKibbles]

Quote: Originally Posted by Buckeyes_Doc

Dalton looked really good. The Bengals may surprise some people this year. Not a playoff team, but not nearly as bad as many people thought.

If they do in fact surprise people, the weak schedule will definitely help make that happen.