Week 12 preview

24 Nov 2006


week 12 preview
Category: Sports

Ignore the fact the last ranked defense gave up 600 yards and focus on the fact we won a game. Allowing the long flea-flicker to Horn when there were three defenders back there on the play truly signifies the stuggle the defense has had this season. I thought Miller and Landon Johnson played well and Kasevaharn is our only defender to read the QB's eyes and react on the play instead of just going through the mindless mechanized motions the coaches program into these guys. Sam Adams finally used his girth to his advantage and really, the run defense hasbeen pretty solid the last few weeks. The killer continues to be our inability to get off the field on third down on those dump off passes we see so much. Hopefully we'll continue to buy a couple of turnovers a game. It's our only hope to make our defense a positive.

Offensively things feel like they used to with the threat of a long touchdown on anyplay. It opens Rudi up, it scares the opposing defenses and helps the line and Carson relax and play in rythem. I'd still like Chirs Perry to find more of an identity in our scheme, but Bratkowski has earned some redemption. I'm glad we've toned the no-huddle back and concentrate on one play at a time. I think the young replacement lineman are doing better than expected particularly Stacy Andrews. Would bringing the starters back in when they're ready actually set back the timing and consistancy that we've worked so hard to finbally get down? Not likely, but something to think about.

This week could be a trap game. Cleveland has played better as the season continues and Edwards and Winslow are play-makers. But I think the Bengals understand the gravity of each game and they seem more focused than earlier when they were struggling. The BRowns are a good team for the defense to have a decent game against and regain a little confidence. On offense we should pound Rudi and continue to go deep twice every quarter. Rudi has had big games against them in the past and Chad has flopped against them in recent memory (pepto-bismal). With Jax and KC winning this week, the bengals to be on the outside looking in and another set back would likely do us in for the season and frankly, I'm not ready for that quite yet. I want that Pittsburgh game on New Years Eve to be meaningful dammit.

Bengals 37-23

MK - still hopeful