CINCINNATI -- There are a myriad of reasons why the Cincinnati Bengals are 3-6 and have lost three of four games to logically drop out of the playoff chase.
But, if you had to point to one aspect of their game that has been a contributing factor, it is a lack of execution on third down.
Sunday's 24-20 loss at the Tennessee Titans was a study in the Bengals' inability to make plays on third down on offense to extend drives and get off the field on third down on defense.
"Third down, again, is the difference in the football game," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. "We don't make enough on offense, convert there, and obviously on defense, we failed to get off the field and allowed them to drive the football."
The Bengals converted only one of 10 third-down plays on Sunday. A 70-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green that gave them the lead with five minutes left was a first-down pass play. So was the first touchdown of the day, a 37-yard pass to Brandon LaFell.
Needing one stop on third down to, at minimum send the game into overtime, the defense committed crucial penalties or missed tackles allowing the Titans to drive 73 yards in 12 plays for the winning score.
"The only way to get off the field is to take the ball away or win on third down," Lewis said. "Our execution is not of a winning standard."
Tennessee converted seven of its 15 third-down conversions on Sunday, a whopping 47 percent.
For the season, Cincinnati is tied with the Miami Dolphins for the second-worst third-down conversion rate in the NFL -- 31 percent. The only team worse is the Cleveland Browns who convert 30 percent of their third downs.
The Bengals' defense ranks in the lower half of the league, allowing a 41-percent third-down conversion rate.
Three times during Sunday's game, cornerback Josh Shaw was called for defensive holding resulting in a Titans first down. Each of those flags came on third down, after the Bengals had come up with a stop.
"A couple of double moves, we grabbed them," said Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. "We can't grab them. And it's third-and-10. If you just keep your leverage, there's help inside."
Of course, the third-down struggles on offense are part of larger issues. A patchwork offensive line has been unable to protect quarterback Andy Dalton or open holes for a paltry running game. This results in third-and-long situations, not desirable when you can't protect the quarterback. The rushing attack hasn't helped matters, averaging fewer than three yards per attempt this season.
The Bengals conclude a three-game trip at Denver on Sunday, hoping to find solutions to some of these season-long issues.
"The one thing about this team is that we're not going to give up no matter what our record is," said Green. "We're going to continue to fight. Things don't go your way all the time. That's why you have to stay level-headed and keep working."
--Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict is being provoked by NFL officials, according to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter who cited one of Burfict's teammates as the source. The unnamed Bengals player said he heard officials cursing at Burfict on multiple occasions.
With 5:12 left in the first half of Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Burfict was ejected from the game by referee Jeff Triplette after Burfict made contact with a game official. Burfict was involved in a pileup just to the left of the end zone after Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota scrambled to the 1-yard line. Burfict flashed the money sign to the crowd as he left the field.
On Monday, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said he was unaware of any official provoking Burfict during games. "The officials have a job to do," Lewis said. "We don't need to jaw with anyone after a play."
The NFL reportedly will not suspend Burfict for Sunday's ejection, but a fine is likely, adding to an already hefty total of fines during his career. Burfict was suspended for the first three games this season for an illegal hit during the preseason.
"I've been saying it before, he's going to be held to a different set of standards because of his past," said Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. "So, he's got to understand that. He does us no good when he's sitting in the locker room for half a ballgame."
--Wide receiver John Ross has gotten few chances to showcase his skills in the NFL. He has squandered those few. In a loss to the Houston Texans in Week 2, Ross fumbled after gaining 12 yards on an end-around, his first career touch. On Sunday, Ross pulled up on his route only to see Andy Dalton send a deep ball his way with nobody there.
"It was my fault," Ross said. "It's like you being a kid and you go the whole year being good and you mess up that one time and you don't get anything for Christmas. That's what it felt like. It definitely stings."
Ross has played sparingly since coming back from a knee injury two weeks ago and was a healthy inactive last week. He was targeted only that one time during the 24-20 loss to the Titans on Sunday.
NOTES: WR Tyler Boyd appeared to be a healthy scratch on Sunday as rookie John Ross got the start. Boyd had returned to practice after suffering a knee injury five weeks ago. Boyd was coming off a standout rookie season, but has only six catches for 43 yards and has been active for only three games. ... CB Adam Jones left Sunday's game in the third quarter with a concussion. He suffered the injury while tackling Tennessee QB Marcus Mariota. Jones, who missed time this season with a back ailment, had two tackles on Sunday and a 23-yard punt return. ... RB Jeremy Hill was placed on injured reserve on Saturday and according to head coach Marvin Lewis, has opted for season-ending ankle surgery. Lewis said he was surprised that Hill is opting for surgery since his understanding was that he would wait until after the season to have the procedure.
REPORT CARD VS. TITANS
--PASSING OFFENSE: B-minus - Andy Dalton had an up and down afternoon. He missed some throws and had a strip-fumble. But, the Bengals QB also passed for 265 yards and two touchdowns including a laser on a slant to A.J. Green that resulted in a 70-yard touchdown that put the Bengals ahead in the fourth quarter. Dalton also had a 37-yard TD to Brandon LaFell.
--RUSHING OFFENSE: F - Jeremy Hill was placed on IR Saturday, so rookie Joe Mixon got the start. But, this unit continues to regress. The Bengals rushed for only 53 yards, averaging 3.8 yards per attempt. Mixon ran for 37 yards and touchdown. Cincinnati was trailing for most of the game and had only 14 rush attempts all afternoon.
--PASS DEFENSE: C - The Bengals' pass rush was more disruptive in the second half, finishing the game with four sacks of Titans QB Marcus Mariota. Mariota still managed to pass for 264 yards with a touchdown and interception. The Bengals had three crucial holding penalties against cornerback Josh Shaw, all coming on third down to help the Titans extend drives.
--RUSH DEFENSE: D - Tennessee rushed for 180 yards and averaged five yards per carry. Titans QB Marcus Mariota had a 28-yard designed run and managed to rush for 51 yards, most coming when the pocket broke down. Derrick Henry ran for 52 yards to lead the team, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
--SPECIAL TEAMS: B-minus - Randy Bullock's missed extra point following the Bengals' first touchdown ultimately meant the Bengals needed a touchdown to win on their final drive rather than a field goal to tie. Adam Jones had a 23-yard punt return, but the special teams play of the day was made by receiver Cody Core who tight-roped the goal line to down a Kevin Huber punt inside the 1.
--COACHING: D - Sunday's game was there for the Bengals to win. But, the reasons they didn't beat the Tennessee Titans were many of the same reasons they lost their other five games. Costly penalties particularly on third down, lack of discipline and composure in key spots, and a running game that largely is non-existent. How many more chances will Vontaze Burfict get? For that matter, has Marvin Lewis run out of chances?
No comments:
Post a Comment