BLUE 1,026 Posted October 14, 2011 TIME: 01:00 P.M. ESTVENUE: Paul Brown Stadium The Cincinnati Bengals are finding surprising success with a young offense, led by increasingly confident rookie quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton and the Bengals will be looking to match last season's victory total when they host the winless Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. After being somewhat surprisingly handed the keys to Cincinnati's offense, Dalton has made impressive strides, leading the Bengals (3-2) on consecutive game-winning drives in the fourth quarter. The Bengals trailed Jacksonville 20-16 last Sunday when they got the ball at the Jaguars' 23-yard line with 5:14 remaining. Dalton worked the short field, converting a fourth-and-6 along the way, before Bernard Scott ran it in from two yards out for the go-ahead score in a 30-20 victory. "The more experience I have going out and seeing different looks, I feel like I'm becoming comfortable," said Dalton, who completed 21 of 33 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. "Definitely getting easier." Dalton's development has been aided by fellow rookie A.J. Green, the fourth overall pick in this year's draft. He's caught nine passes for 208 yards the last two games and scored his third touchdown of the season on a 37-yard pass from Dalton on Sunday. "He's got the rare athletic ability to make the big plays despite not being polished yet," offensive coordinator Jay Gruden told the Bengals' official website. "But when he gets the routes down and knows how to run against certain looks, he's going to be really good." While Dalton and Green's emergence has garnered attention, much of the Bengals' early success is because of their top-ranked defense, which is surrendering 279.6 yards per game. That defense could have another good day facing an Indianapolis offense in flux without Peyton Manning and running back Joseph Addai, who is unlikely to play. With a young, talented offense and a solid defense, Cincinnati is excited about the possibilities as it tries to shed its reputation as a bumbling franchise unable to sustain any success. The Bengals think the last two come-from-behind wins are evidence of that. "We were relentless," defensive tackle Domata Peko said. "Even though they made some good plays, I think our old team would have folded. But this is a new squad and we have a lot of heart on this team." The Colts (0-5), meanwhile, are giving fans little reason for optimism after a 28-24 loss to Kansas City on Sunday cemented their worst start since beginning 0-10 in 1997. "It's a place we've not been before," right guard Ryan Diem said. "At the same time, we're focused on the most important game, which is the next game." Indianapolis has failed to protect double-digit leads the last two games. The Colts were ahead by 17 against the Chiefs, but Curtis Painter struggled in the second half and the defense couldn't hold up as it gave up more than 400 yards of offense for a third straight game. Painter was 12 of 17 for 237 yards with two touchdowns in the first half, but he went 3 of 15 for 40 yards the rest of the day. His first-half passer rating this season is a league-best 133.0, but after halftime it drops to 72.4 - 27th among QBs with at least 30 attempts. He continues to get little support from the running game, which ranks 30th in the league at 82.0 yards per game. The Colts finished with 78 last Sunday and could be in line for an even lower number this week after Addai suffered a strained hamstring against the Chiefs. Addai says he is a "long shot" to play Sunday. Delone Carter and Donald Brown would get most of Addai's work, and the Colts activated Darren Evans from the practice squad this week. The Colts' increasingly crowded injured list also now includes cornerback Jerraud Powers, who left Sunday with a hamstring injury and is uncertain. His absence further depletes a secondary that is giving up 254.2 passing yards per game. Despite the many reasons for doubt, the Colts are feeling perhaps more optimistic than their fans as their last four losses have been by an average of 5.5 points. "I think whatever we call, we just need to execute that better," coach Jim Caldwell said. "That's my job to get them to play better." The Colts have won seven in a row over the Bengals - all with Manning starting - including a 23-17 victory on Nov. 14 as Cincinnati turned it over five times. Source: CBSSports.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBen07 285 Posted October 15, 2011 I feel that this one will be close. The Colts haven't folded up like many people thought they would and are staying in games to the end. Despite this however, I think they will lose again this week. 24 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BGColtFreak 3 Posted October 15, 2011 24 13 The Bengals will only score 24 if we're lucky. Our best corner (which isn't saying much) Powers will probably not play, leaving A.J. Green to dominate Lacey or any of the other undrafted players all game long. The Colts defense is built to play with a lead, really? Ok. Painter gives you a 17-point lead last week and what happens? The Colts may get one win this year at home vs the Jags, but that's it. We have the worst coach in the NFL. Never makes adjustments, no killer instinct, no time management at all, never changes up the scheme. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted October 15, 2011 21 27 Think this should be a pretty good game, but the Bengals D gives them the advantage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted October 16, 2011 The Colts haven't been able to win when it counts, and I still think they face that issue. Too much reliance on Peyton without focusing on the rest of the team will do that to you. Meanwhile Andy Dalton seems to have some actual confidence, and while he's not playing great, if he keeps avoiding turnovers and finds his weapons, it'll be enough to win for sure. 23 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 16, 2011 Colts declared Kerry Collins (concussion) inactive for Sunday's game against the Bengals. Dan Orlovsky will back up Curtis Painter today. Also inactive for the Colts is Joseph Addai (hamstring), who didn't even make the trip to Cincy. And with LT Anthony Castonzo (ankle) still out, Indy is shuffling their offensive line again. Jeff Linkenbach starts at left tackle, Ryan Diem returns at right tackle and Mike Pollak fills in at right guard. Other Colts inactives: QB Peyton Manning, DT Drake Nevis, DE Jerry Hughes and CB Kevin Thomas. Bengals declared MLB Rey Maualuga (ankle), WR Ryan Whalen, TE Colin Cochart, G Clint Boling, LB Dontay Moch, CB Kelly Jennings and S Robert Sands inactive for Sunday's game against the Colts. No surprises here. Maualuga was injured in practice Thursday and is expected to miss a couple weeks, with Dan Skuta taking over in the middle. Other than that, the Bengals are as healthy as it gets at this point in the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 16, 2011 Woo Nate Clements. Maybe you aren't worthless after all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
