Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 23, 2011 TIME: 01:00 P.M. ESTVENUE: Paul Brown Stadium Winning consistently has never been the Cincinnati Bengals' strong suit, but they're hoping a pair of talented rookies could begin to change that. After performing well in a close loss, quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green make their home debuts Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. The Bengals have registered two winning seasons since 1990, including a 10-6 finish two years ago. They followed that by going 4-12 in 2010, but that gave them a chance to snap up Green with the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft and grab Dalton early in the second round. With Carson Palmer embroiled in a dispute with the franchise, Dalton has been given the chance to jump into the starting lineup immediately. After throwing for 81 yards before leaving with a wrist injury in pro debut at Cleveland, the former TCU quarterback nearly led his team to a comeback victory at Denver last Sunday. Cincinnati (1-1) fell behind 17-3 early in the third quarter, but Dalton threw a pair of touchdown passes to pull the Bengals within two points with 11:17 left in the game. That's as close as they got, though, failing to get inside the Broncos' 35-yard line on their final three possessions in a 24-22 defeat. Dalton finished with 332 yards while completing 27 of 41 passes. Green caught 10 of those for 124 yards and a TD. The former University of Georgia star scored a 41-yard touchdown on his first NFL reception during a season-opening victory in Cleveland. "They're showing they've grown quite a bit in the short training camp we had and the last couple of games," running back Cedric Benson said. The rookie duo will try to continue that growth against a San Francisco team that blew a chance to remain unbeaten under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh. The 49ers (1-1) held a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter Sunday against visiting Dallas, but gave up the final 13 points in a 27-24 overtime defeat. "We have to be mentally tough. We have to keep looking each other in the eye, keep preparing," Harbaugh said. "This is not going to defeat us." Harbaugh's team will try to bounce back without receiver Braylon Edwards, who needed surgery after injuring his right knee in the loss to the Cowboys. His timetable for returning is unknown. "He's going to be out for a little bit," Harbaugh said. Michael Crabtree, however, should be back after sitting out last week's game. The third-year receiver aggravated his surgically repaired left foot in a 33-17 Week 1 win over Seattle. The Bengals, meanwhile, have lost slot receiver Jordan Shipley for the season with a torn left ACL. Shipley, a third-round pick out of Texas in 2010, led all AFC rookie receivers with 600 yards on 52 receptions and scored three touchdowns last season. His injury could mean more playing time for Andre Caldwell, who caught a 10-yard touchdown pass - his first since 2009 - last Sunday. "You saw once Jordan was out of the game, (Andre) stepped in and caught a couple passes, caught a touchdown. So the play didn't really drop off," Dalton said. "He came in and played well. So he does have the experience and he understands what's going on. We're sad to see what happened to Jordan, but you have to have guys step up." The 49ers have won eight of 11 regular-season matchups - including a 20-13 home victory in 2007 - against the Bengals, their opponent in two of their five Super Bowl victories. San Francisco, though, has dropped its last two games in Cincinnati and is making its first visit there since Dec. 14, 2003. The 49ers have also dropped five straight road games against AFC opponents. To end that drought, they could use a better performance from Frank Gore, who is gaining just 2.5 yards per carry - the second-lowest average among the 18 backs with at least 30 carries. In his only matchup with the Bengals, Gore rushed for 138 yards on 29 attempts. Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted September 25, 2011 This game will be fun to watch, but I don't think Carlos Rogers can shut down AJ Green. Give me the Bangalls. 21 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 25, 2011 Jerome Simpson is active for Sunday's game against the 49ers. Simpson, however, may be looking at a limited role after missing so much practice time following the police's discovery of marijuana at his home. The Bengals' official inactives are S Taylor Mays, WR Andrew Hawkins, S Robert Sands, LB Dontay Moch, G Otis Hudson, TE Colin Cochart, and DE Robert Geathers. 49ers declared WR Braylon Edwards, QB Scott Tolzien, FB Moran Norris, OLs Daniel Kilgore and Mike Person, and DLs Ian Williams and Demarcus Dobbs inactive for Week 3 against the Bengals. It appears Ted Ginn will draw the start at split end, rotating with Michael Crabtree. That's normally Edwards' position, but he's facing three weeks off after knee surgery. There are no surprises on the 49ers' Week 3 inactives list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted September 25, 2011 (edited) Not a lock at all. Still taking San Fran. 24 17 Jees. Both of these offenses have no rhythm. Edit: Didn't want to double post. Edited September 25, 2011 by BayAreaBomber Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted September 25, 2011 this game must be disgusting to watch.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted September 25, 2011 May be the two worst offenses in the league right here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted September 25, 2011 this game must be disgusting to watch.... If you like defensive games Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
