Sigh.The Bengals dropped an important game against the Ravens yesterday, dropping to 4-4, two games behind Baltimore in the AFC North.
This just wasn't our game. Yeah, the non-call for pass interference on 4th down was bullshit, and there were a few other questionable calls in the game, but c'mon gang. We lost this game with a few very costly mistakes, and we couldn't capitalize on the few turnover opportunities we had.
Chris Perry's fumble on the first play of the game was a pretty big indicator of things to come. Palmer looked pretty damned rusty, throwing two picks on the day and only completing 12 of his 26 passes. Ugly game all around.
Never has our linebacker corps looked more sorry or depleted than against Todd Heap. We just cannot defend a good receiving tight end. Last week it was Alge Crumpler, this week it was Heap. But the story was the same. Every third down Heap was wide open, two yards ahead of the first down mark. I ran out of expletives in this game. I kept trying out new ones, seeing if one would stick, but without much success. But I do like the sound of "Butt Shit Ass Smoker," so I might toy around with that one for a while.
Where do we stand?
Well, we're at .500, which isn't great, but it's definitely not insurmountable. The bad news is that we're in the AFC, and with the Broncos, the Jaguars, the Chiefs, and a few other teams doing pretty well, it looks like our best shot of getting into the playoffs is to win the division. Against the team that beat the shit out of us on television yesterday. Tricky tricky.
Here are my other game/overall thoughts about the Bengals' season thus far:
- It pains me to say it, but Chad Johnson needs to shut up now. I love his spirit, I love his game. But when you aren't taking care of business on the field, you have no right to talk smack. You have no right to draw attention to yourself. I love you, Chad, but bring it for two games in a row, and then you can start flapping those gums again.
- Carson needs better protection, but he also needs to sack up a bit. How many passes sailed over their intended receivers yesterday because Palmer wasn't leaning into his throws? That's really the worst thing about a big injury: even after you've healed, the mental block hangs around for a bit, fucking up your game. You can tell just by watching that Palmer isn't comfortable in the pocket, and I can't really blame the guy. But he is an NFL quarterback, and he needs to find his confidence in order for this team to have any real success.
- TJ Houshmanzadeh is awesome. Probably one of the top 10 receivers in the league. Ok, maybe that's stretching it. But when he took off his helmet after the non-call, he really screwed over his team. Maybe that twenty yards wouldn't have mattered, but maybe they would have. We were given one last chance to win it, but we had to work from our own 30 yard line or something like that. Because of his (warranted) temper tantrum, our last chance was made that much more difficult.
- Rudi is the best. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about him or his game. He still only got the ball 18 times, but he averaged 4.3 per carry, which ain't too shabby. I still want to see Brat run the ball more on first down.
- Jonathan Joseph is a geniune stud. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Bench Tory James.
- The hole was too deep to dig out of. Yes, a 14 point lead isn't that big a deal, but when those 14 points completely demoralize the other team, they're pretty much done. First the fumble and then the interception, and it was basically game over in the 1st quarter.
The good news? Well, the game's over, and we can move on. The bad news? San Diego is coming to town next Sunday. Get the Pepto Bismal ready, gang.
Who Dey?
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