The KEY to Winning Sunday (Key Stat)

[*FreeFua*]

I hadn't seen much of the Bengals this season, so I decided to watch their game from week 2 against Atlanta. I chose this game because AJ Green left early with that toe injury, so I figured it would be a good indication of what they may do Sunday.

A few things stood out...

1. Gio is scary as hell with the ball in the open field. Dalton looks to dump it to him whenever he has the opportunity or is in trouble. I hope they have Luke watch Gio all game.

2. Dalton will target Sanzenbacher in key situations.

3. Not afraid to run trick plays. End around to Sanu (who used to play QB) who ended up throwing it to their deep threat Brandon Tate.

However, the most obvious thing that stood out was Cincy's inability to convert on 3rd and long. Atlanta sent an all out blitz on a 3rd and 6 and got burnt for a TD on a post to Sanu. With Green out, I really hope we don't call any "all out" blitzes on 3rd down.

Anyway, here's Cincy's/Dalton's stats on 3rd down this season:

- 13/44 (29.5%) on 3rd down conversions, ranks dead last in the NFL

- This next stat isn't a complete/incomplete pass stat. This is pass attempts by Dalton on 3rd down that have resulted in 1st downs. Dalton is 8/31 (25.8%) ranks last for all QB's.

So the key to Sunday's game is to force the Bengals into 3rd down passing situations. Have Luke take out Gio and have Sanzenbacher, Sanu and Tate try and beat you.

While I'm at it, Carolina is 28/66 (42.4%) on 3rd down conversions. Cam is 19/39 (48.7%) on passing for 1st downs on 3rd down ranking him 10th. Annnnnnd fwiw Russell Wilson is last in the NFC in this category with a percentage of 34.6 (9/26).

[mc52beast]

Not turning the ball over would be nice too...

[Kuhndog94]

Luke will spy Gio just like he did forte.

[AKPantherFan]

It's honestly going to come down to defense. If we let them put up 21+ on is we are done.

[panthers55]

Not turning the ball over would be nice too...

I think the key to winning on Sunday will be turnovers. Causing them on defense and avoiding them on offense and special teams. So far every game has been influenced majorly by turnovers positively or negatively. 

[*FreeFua*]

Obviously we need to win the turnover battle in order to win but Dalton doesn't throw many bad balls. He'll throw the ball away or check it down before taking a gamble downfield. Dalton has only thrown 1 interception so far this season.

I also want to add I hope Cam is ready to move around in the pocket. Our OL vs anyone's DL matchup will never favor us but Cincy isn't afraid to bring pressure

[Pejorative Miscreant]

If we can establish a hint of a running game it will be a strong plus.  I would even include quick dump offs to RB/TE as "running game"

[bigdog10]

Every offense from here on out will run screens against us until we can stop it consistently.  The Bears were killing us with it early.  I fully expect Cincy, Green Bay, New Orleans, Seattle, and Atlanta to run plenty of them.  I would have Luke spy Gio in this game and let TD cover the TE.  

[cbully]

we called a crazy blitz last week which gave CHI a untouched td... i flip out when I see godfrey trying to blitz... smh

 

it was on the Jeffery td from the 25 yard line.

[ChinaPanther]

It's honestly going to come down to defense. If we let them put up 21+ on is we are done.

 

Their defense hasn't been all that special this year. I think Cam will put up 300+ yards against them and we'll have over 400 yards total offense. 

[Salvo]

Cinci can be run on. They are giving up 5.0 y/c, 29th in the league (guess who's last?). They're strength on D seems to be in the passing game.

 

The quick passing scheme they love to run worries me. We are not going to enough pressure to counter that. Dline will need to get their arms up and the back 7 need to keep everything in front of them. Otherwise, Dalton will dink and dunk his way to the endzone.

 

 

[The Huddler]

all the unc fans are hyping gio

[SOJA]

all the unc fans are hyping gio

 

 

 

nah I don't hype any UNC players, but Gio is a very talented player- with AJ out he will be the focus of their offense 

[Rise of The Hive]

No turnovers is a must..