Help Wanted: In Search of Back to Back Wins; Bengals vs Chiefs Preview
By Mel Payne
Nov 11, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) is congratulated by quarterback Andy Dalton (14) after scoring during the second half against the New York Giants at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Giants 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE
The Bengals are slated to kick off week 11 action in Kansas City against a distressed Chiefs team that pushed the panic button weeks ago. Kansas City has dropped their past six games, with their last one coming in an overtime loss to the Steelers on a Matt Cassel turnover. With the rest of the league pulling away from them in wins, the Chiefs will have nothing to lose after the coin toss on Sunday afternoon.
The Bengals have had similar struggles, this season. They started their 2012 campaign strong, entering a week five showdown against the Dolphins with a 3-1 record. After the rookie Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins’ defense exposed the Bengals and handed them a loss on their own field, Cincinnati went on to drop four games in a row. However, their story was re-written last week when they got a decisive victory over the defending Super Bowl Champion, New York Giants 31-13.
Now the two teams are set to clash during Sunday afternoon NFL action. Kansas City has nothing lose and Cincinnati has everything to gain heading in to the game. If Cincinnati wins, they will have a fighting chance at a playoff appearance. If the Chiefs win, they will have damaged another team’s chances.
The Bengals will have to play the Chiefs like they are a winning team on Sunday. The keys to the game for the Bengals’ defense will be pressuring Matt Cassel and holding Jamaal Charles behind the line of scrimmage. Kansas City can have a break out run game if the Bengals are not careful up front. Charles has 734 rushing yards this season and the Chiefs are averaging 149 yards on the ground per game.
Much like the Bengals quarterback, the Chiefs field general Matt Cassel is known for throwing interceptions. In fact, his final interception of week 10’s overtime loss for the Chiefs, gave the Steelers the game. If Michael Johnson and the rest of Cincinnati’s big guys up front can keep pressure on the quarterback with the same intensity they played with last week, the team will be almost assured a second consecutive win.
It should be noted that Kansas City has not won a game at home yet this season. With over half of the season gone, the team will be looking to give the 12th man a win at Arrowhead Stadium. If you have seen the Chiefs play, you know that they are tough team. This will not be a give me for the Bengals. Their offense is also going to have to be focused on Sunday. Dalton’s passes will need to be sharp and the receivers should be aware of their surroundings on the field at all times. This game will also be a good time for a break out BenJarvus Green-Ellis appearance, as he has yet to show Cincinnati fans his wow factor.
The game should be a fun one to watch for Cincinnati fans. Their team is 2-2 on the road this season and this game holds a lot of post season implications for the team.