Whoda thunk it?!? - Bengals have AFCN Best Offense and Second Best Defense!

[BengalzHacker]

Got to love this. I know the four game losing streak was bad but, as we all know, this Bengals team has been pouring it on of late. If they keep this up, they will force their way into the playoffs! Who Dey everyone!

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/pos...ense-defense-5

Where they rank on offense, defense
December, 6, 2012 3:30PM ET

By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

The lack of carries for Ray Rice has been a season-long problem for Baltimore. It shows up in the production.

The Ravens currently have the 23rd-ranked ground game in the league, which is not typical for Baltimore. The Ravens' rushing attack has ranked in the top half of the NFL for the previous five seasons.

Last year, the Ravens were the 10th-best rushing team in the NFL. Their rushing yards per game have dropped from 124.8 in 2011 to 102.4 this year -- a difference of 22 yards per game.

This ground game is close to becoming one of the worst in franchise history. The lowest the Ravens have ever ranked in rushing was 25th (2006). It's hard to believe the Ravens could rank this low considering they have Pro Bowl players at running back (Rice) and fullback (Vonta Leach).

Here's a look at the NFL rankings after 13 weeks:

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Offense: Overall (15th), run (13th), pass (13th) and scoring (10th).

Defense: Overall (8th), run (11th), pass (11th) and scoring (14th-tied).

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Offense: Overall (27th), run (25th), pass (20th) and scoring (25th).

Defense: Overall (23rd), run (16th), pass (24th) and scoring (16th).

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Offense: Overall (19th), run (23rd), pass (15th) and scoring (9th).

Defense: Overall (25th), run (23rd), pass (23rd) and scoring (8th).

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Offense: Overall (20th), run (24th), pass (14th) and scoring (20th).

Defense: Overall (1st), run (5th), pass (1st) and scoring (6th).

[eliminate08]

Originally Posted by BengalzHacker

Got to love this. I know the three game losing streak was bad but, as we all know, this Bengals team has been pouring it on of late. If they keep this up, they will force their way into the playoffs! Who Dey everyone!

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/pos...ense-defense-5

4 game losing streak, but yeah i like the look of our Offense if the O-line keeps it up and
Dalton plays like he did the 3 games before the last one. Peerman being down and now
the Gresh being injured is worrying me a bit but if the O-line keeps run blocking like they
have we should be fine on Offense.

Great Defensive front 4 and rotation we have, that is all i can say.

[Shake n Blake]

Every loss during that 4 game streak was close. This team could easily be leading the division right now. Hopefully we can close out the season on an 8 game win streak.

[eliminate08]

Originally Posted by Shake n Blake

Every loss during that 4 game streak was close. This team could easily be leading the division right now. Hopefully we can close out the season on an 8 game win streak.

True. We just couldn't finish and as bad as our Offense played against the Chargers they
finished. That is what was nice about that win and made me even a bit more confident in
this team. They can crush a good team like the Giants, crush bad teams like the Chiefs
and Raiders but finish off a team like the Chargers in their place after some poor play.

[BengalzHacker]

Originally Posted by eliminate08

4 game losing streak, but yeah i like the look of our Offense if the O-line keeps it up and
Dalton plays like he did the 3 games before the last one. Peerman being down and now
the Gresh being injured is worrying me a bit but if the O-line keeps run blocking like they
have we should be fine on Offense.

Great Defensive front 4 and rotation we have, that is all i can say.

Fixed it. Thank you Nate! They've been working me nearly to death and I'm worn out. I probably ought to go to bed. Can't believe I wrote three. DUH!

[eliminate08]

Originally Posted by BengalzHacker

Fixed it. Thank you Nate! They've been working me nearly to death and I'm worn out. I probably ought to go to bed. Can't believe I wrote three. DUH!

Rock on brother.

[Go Cards]

Good things are in store for the Bengals if these rankings finish the season this way.

[eliminate08]

Originally Posted by Go Cards

Good things are in store for the Bengals if these rankings finish the season this way.

[bradfritz21]

Third best defense because scoring is what matters.

[Ryan Mc]

Originally Posted by bradfritz21

Third best defense because scoring is what matters.

But scoring is not just on the D. Our league-leading four INTs returned for TDs, for example, doesn't help that stat.

[Aquapod770]

This is what drives me insane...If not for two dumb loses to the browns and dolphins, followed by a fourth quarter implosion against the broncos. We would be sitting at the top of the division and in competition for a first round bye. But since we didn't take care of business there is a chance we don't make the playoffs at all. Personally I think we will make the playoffs because the Ravens are about to go on a bad losing streak.

[bradfritz21]

Originally Posted by Ryan Mc

But scoring is not just on the D. Our league-leading four INTs returned for TDs, for example, doesn't help that stat.

They don't include those touchdowns on scoring for stats against the defense.

[Ryan Mc]

Originally Posted by bradfritz21

They don't include those touchdowns on scoring for stats against the defense.

Yes, they do. The scoring ranking is based on all points conceded, therefore not always a fair reflection of the D since it includes safeties and TDs allowed by offense, as well as any TDs on special teams like punt or kick returns or blocked kicks run in.

[bradfritz21]

Originally Posted by Ryan Mc

Yes, they do. The scoring ranking is based on all points conceded, therefore not always a fair reflection of the D since it includes safeties and TDs allowed by offense, as well as any TDs on special teams like punt or kick returns or blocked kicks run in.

I'm almost positive that they don't include interceptions returned for touchdowns and such as points against the defense.

Anyways, it still doesn't change the fact that scoring is what matters, not yards, because, even if they did include touchdowns off interceptions, it's not enough to make that big of a difference.

[Ryan Mc]

Originally Posted by bradfritz21

I'm almost positive that they don't include interceptions returned for touchdowns and such as points against the defense.

Anyways, it still doesn't change the fact that scoring is what matters, not yards, because, even if they did include touchdowns off interceptions, it's not enough to make that big of a difference.

They do include all TDs and it does make a difference. We've allowed 4 TDs by our offense and 1 TD on special teams (the kick return v. Denver). That's 35 points when our D was not on the field. None of the teams ranked ahead of us in scoring are that bad. If you simply subtract out TDs given up on offense and special teams for all teams we'd move up 5 spots in the scoring rankings to 9th ... suddenly looks a lot like our defensive ranking in yards. See here:

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorysta...true&Submit=Go

[thompson19osu]

Originally Posted by bradfritz21

I'm almost positive that they don't include interceptions returned for touchdowns and such as points against the defense.

Anyways, it still doesn't change the fact that scoring is what matters, not yards, because, even if they did include touchdowns off interceptions, it's not enough to make that big of a difference.

They do count pick 6's against the defense. It's absolutely absurd but it is something that is accounted for.

[bradfritz21]

Originally Posted by Ryan Mc

They do include all TDs and it does make a difference. We've allowed 4 TDs by our offense and 1 TD on special teams (the kick return v. Denver). That's 35 points when our D was not on the field. None of the teams ranked ahead of us in scoring are that bad. If you simply subtract out TDs given up on offense and special teams for all teams we'd move up 5 spots in the scoring rankings to 9th ... suddenly looks a lot like our defensive ranking in yards. See here:

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorysta...true&Submit=Go

Originally Posted by thompson19osu

They do count pick 6's against the defense. It's absolutely absurd but it is something that is accounted for.

They don't in fantasy football, and it would be stupid if they did, so that's why I assumed that those stats don't (they normally count if special teams scores, though).

[Bengals Mike]

Originally Posted by Aquapod770

This is what drives me insane...If not for two dumb loses to the browns and dolphins, followed by a fourth quarter implosion against the broncos. We would be sitting at the top of the division and in competition for a first round bye. But since we didn't take care of business there is a chance we don't make the playoffs at all. Personally I think we will make the playoffs because the Ravens are about to go on a bad losing streak.

That goes both ways with the Steelers as well, they can also make the same claim with the Raiders, Titans and Browns

[Nebuchadnezzar]

I attribute Dalton's performance this past week to the trip to the west coast and he was due a poor game. I think, I hope this week he turns it on and plays lights out these final 8 games.

[thompson19osu]

Originally Posted by Aquapod770

This is what drives me insane...If not for two dumb loses to the browns and dolphins, followed by a fourth quarter implosion against the broncos. We would be sitting at the top of the division and in competition for a first round bye. But since we didn't take care of business there is a chance we don't make the playoffs at all. Personally I think we will make the playoffs because the Ravens are about to go on a bad losing streak.

I personally look at those losses as a blessing in disguise. It's well known that Marvin's teams normally fade down the stretch but those 2 losses specifically have put the Bengals in the hole and their backs against the wall the rest of the way. It's essentially forcing them to play their best football the rest of the way. If this team were sitting at 9-3 I'm not so sure they may be a little complacent knowing they would realistically only have to win 1 of the last 4 to get into the playoffs. However, every game counts now and the Bengals are playing an exciting brand of football.

[CINCYPRODUCT]

Originally Posted by Nebuchadnezzar

I attribute Dalton's performance this past week to the trip to the west coast and he was due a poor game. I think, I hope this week he turns it on and plays lights out these final 8 games.

I like your thinking.👍

[Atomic Orange]

I would personally like to thank Chris Crocker for making it all possible.



No but seriously since he got here, well...

[fumetti]

Originally Posted by bradfritz21

Third best defense because scoring is what matters.

Of course. But that's not discernable from total points allowed.

Besides what has already been mentioned (safeties, turnover and kick returns), there is also the "succeeded but failed" factor.

Say the offense fumbles on their 20. The defense gets on the field and forces a 4th and 10. In any rational mind, that's a huge success, a 3 and out. But, in that case, the opponent kicks a successful field goal. Those points also count against the defense.

Or... the offense fumbles on their 1 yd line. The defense gives up just one yard on the drive. That's also a huge success. Except that the opponent still scores 7 pts on the TD. How can any reasonable person put that on the defense? That's just crazy. But measuring the defense solely by "points allowed" does that.

The NFL uses yards because there is absolutely no confusion over who is to blame. The defense, and only the defense, yields those yards. So that's the only fair way to rank defenses.

[Shake n Blake]

Originally Posted by Nebuchadnezzar

I attribute Dalton's performance this past week to the trip to the west coast and he was due a poor game. I think, I hope this week he turns it on and plays lights out these final 8 games.

Take away the int that should've been a catch by Marvin Jones, and Dalton had a solid game really.

[bradfritz21]

Originally Posted by fumetti

Of course. But that's not discernable from total points allowed.

Besides what has already been mentioned (safeties, turnover and kick returns), there is also the "succeeded but failed" factor.

Say the offense fumbles on their 20. The defense gets on the field and forces a 4th and 10. In any rational mind, that's a huge success, a 3 and out. But, in that case, the opponent kicks a successful field goal. Those points also count against the defense.

Or... the offense fumbles on their 1 yd line. The defense gives up just one yard on the drive. That's also a huge success. Except that the opponent still scores 7 pts on the TD. How can any reasonable person put that on the defense? That's just crazy. But measuring the defense solely by "points allowed" does that.

The NFL uses yards because there is absolutely no confusion over who is to blame. The defense, and only the defense, yields those yards. So that's the only fair way to rank defenses.

I guess it's all how you look at it because that doesn't happen much where the other team gets the ball on the 1, and good defenses can at least hold teams to 3 if they're not that close to the endzone.

With yards, say team a scores, kicks to team b, they drive 70 yards but are held to a field goal, then it team a has three more chances to kick a field goal before team b can drive 80 yards again three times to go up on them. That scenario, team b is dominating in yards but team a wins the game.