Cincinnati Bengals Defense Leads The Way

Dec 29, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass and running for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals defense finished the regular season third in the NFL. It lead the way big yesterday in the team’s 34-17 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Just 18 seconds into the game yesterday afternoon, Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones had a pass snatched from a Ravens defender as quarterback Andy Dalton tried to thread needle on the first play “go route” down the sidelines. Obviously, it wasn’t the start fans and team wanted. But, the defense rise up and saved Dalton.

The Ravens began the drive at the Cincinnati 21 and came within yards of going up 7-0, but Zimmer’s unit came up big just like has it done all season. It was the sixth time in 12 redzone tries at Paul Brown Stadium, the defense didn’t let the opponent cross the end zone.

The defense has helped get the offense going all season. It will be vital in the team wild card game against the San Diego Chargers next weekend at home. The strength of this team is their defense period.

The back-to-back red zone drives that ended in Justin Tucker field goals were examples of how this defense has rise up in any situation since losing two of their best players to season ending injuries (Geno Atkins and Leon Hall).

This game could have very well been 14-0 Ravens in the first quarter. But the defense would not allow that to happen, and then AJ Green 53 yard touchdown catch gave Cincinnati a 7-6 lead at the end of first quarter.

Defenses wins championships right? This team has it.