News Bengals Team Notes

[Cincinnati Bengals]

5 keys to Bengals beating the Dolphins

Will the Cincinnati Bengals get back in the win column with a trip to Florida?

Offensive Connections​

The offense was out of sync last week. Burrow was missing protection calls, he wasn’t spinning the ball how he likes it, and receivers were dropping catchable balls.

They cannot afford to have games like that, particularly this deep into the season. Burrow came out of the gates hot with that win over the Ravens the first time around, but since then, the offense has been in September mode.

This team is built around its passing game. They cannot drop the ball (literally and figuratively) and expect to win.

Run It Back​

Until a few weeks ago, the Bengals’ running game was starting to look pretty good, and offensive line coach Scott Peters was starting to look very good. Now, they are back to producing modest returns in the run game and lacking in both consistency and explosive runs.

Chase Brown is a playmaker. They have got to get the scheme right in front of him and utilize his talents in order to win this week.

Turnovers​

Turnovers will make or break this team. The defense isn’t overflowing with talent, but when they create turnovers and give the offense more opportunities, they can win football games.

Conversely, turnovers have cost this team greatly over the past two weeks. They cannot throw multiple interceptions, particularly pick-sixes, and expect to win games.

Defense Rises​

No one wants to hear it, but this defense is getting better.

Myles Murphy is looking very good. Kris Jenkins has shown improvement, too. Demetrius Knight just had the best game of his career.

The defense is playing better and maxing out the talent that they have.

They aren’t world-beaters, but they need to continue this upward trend.

Complementary Football​

The defense isn’t going to be perfect, but neither is the offense. When one struggles, the other needs to pick them up.

The defense can’t let an offensive turnover turn into a score.

The offense must respond when the defense gives up points.

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-analysis/183025/5-keys-beating-dolphins

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Bengals vs. Dolphins Thursday Injury Report: Defensive line banged up

The Cincinnati Bengals take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in a game featuring two teams eliminated from playoff contention. Miami will be starting a rookie quarterback and both teams seem to have a fairly lengthy injury report.

For the Bengals, defensive tackles B.J. Hill and Kris Jenkins Jr. missed their second consecutive practices on the week. The interior of the Bengals’ defensive line could be extremely thin if they can’t play Sunday. We could see some defensive lineman called up from the practice squad.

Furthering the concerns on the defensive line, Joseph Ossai (ankle) also missed practice. The Bengals are already down Trey Hendrickson, so Ossai missing the game is an extra hit to the pass rush rotation.

Wideout Tee Higgins (concussion) was limited again and is still actively in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Given the severity of his first concussion and him feeling symptoms over two weeks later, the Bengals wouldn’t catch much flack for sitting him another week.

Wide receiver and return man Charlie Jones (ankle) was also out.

Several players showed on the injury report, meaning they got treatment for an injury, but practiced in full.

For Miami, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf) missed his second-straight practice. Arguably Miami’s best defender, his absence could be an advantage for the Bengals’ pass-heavy offense.

Linebacker Jordyn Brooks (foot/knee) was also out for the second straight day, as was cornerback Isaiah Johnson (knee).

Full Bengals vs. Dolphins Injury Report:​

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinn...ursday-injury-report-defensive-line-banged-up