D.FULCHER: WK 2 matchup against the RAVENS was a preview in this season’s goal to ‘hold the line.’
What turned out, was a ‘welcome to the SODENBOWL’ moment for BENGALS rookie starting offensive linemen (RT)N.Newton ll & (LT)D.Faalele as both of them, along the entire o-line were pushed back and bullied into the throwing lanes of rookie (qb)D.Elway. BENGALS captain (RG)J.Williams:
“Going into the game, we were a bit nervous, unsure of ourselves because of how their D-line handled us last season. We will see them again, back in THE JUNGLE.”
BENGALS were routed by the RAVENS 38-7.
WK 3 Overtime thriller against the EAGLES provided a huge moral win. BENGALS o-line held up only allowing 1sack for the very good D-line which features (LE)R.White Jr.
Though (QB)D.Elway turned the ball over twice, including a pick 6 that changed the momentum of the game and gave the EAGLES the lead in the middle of the 4th qtr, he also went 11/16 320yds.
(FS)J.Bates who had been in single coverage against EAGLES (TE)D.Goedert most of the game, was torched for 150yds, 1td. Goedert ran routes that were so crisp and hard to defend, that the BENGALS were penalized 3x’s for having 12 men on the field. In overtime, BENGALS found the adjustment they needed, when they decided to put (CB)D.Phillips on Goedert and play over the top. Phillips, knowing that he had help, was able to play underneath for the int returning it 30yds for the (RB)J.Mixon 14yd touchdown run. Mixon rushed for 117yds-2tds on 12 att.
NXT WK: @3-0 BILLS
