Week 14 preview

Week 14 preview
Category: Sports

Our defense is a strange animal. Characteristics experts are convinced the defense behaves by one week, will prove completely opposite the next week. Except for the common thread of using blitzes to disrupt the offensive attack. It's worked throughout the season but hasn't always been apparent thanks to softening up with zone coverage instead of being aggressive with blitzes. Marvin's defense has been predicated on speed (outside of Sam Adams and recently Tori James), and he has drafted accordingly. When the coaches stop being aggressive, the players have to use their speed to catch up to the play instead of dictating it. The coaches have remained aggressive with third down blitz packages recently and the results have shown up beyond expectation.

While obviously I love what has transpired with our defense, the question of why so long needs at least addressed. The first answer that comes to mind is the young replacements forced into starting roles need time to adjust. That's pretty legit, but doesn't it seem easier for a young player to just blitz more than covering more? Are coaches willing to allow rookies to make mistakes covering receivers so they'll "learn the hard way"? I don't think so. To me it seems like a trust issue between rookie and coach and that too takes time. I also think that the outpour of yardage SD and NO were able to get on us, forced the hand of Bresnahan to attack. Whatever the reason, I'm just glad they've come to their senses and have become the aggressor. Just imagine three years from now when Joseph, Peko, Jentty, and Brooks aren't rookies. Nice.

The Raiders, as everyone has read by now, have a good defense. What I'm worried about is that they have a dirty defense who has created laundry lists of injuries to some teams this year. I think if Giuchek can play, you start him and keep Steinbach at his position instead of him scooting over and playing center. Why break up the consistency the young guys have worked hard to achieve? I'm interested to see if Bobby Williams makes a difference on Rudi runs up the gut. Without him, they've had a hard time getting it going, though Stacy Andrews deserves to be commended on his first real NFL action. He was a project and has become a success. Good job Paul Alexander (offensive line coach - assistant coach of the year).

The Raiders offense blows and is a perfect team to continue to build defensive confidence against. In fact, I wouldn't bring O'Neal back this game, particularly because Jerry Porter is listed as doubtful and Doug Gabriel plays in NE. We're gonna need everybody on that side come two Mondays from now. What the Bengals cant do is assume they'll win and allow Oakland to shock us. They seem more focused than previously in the year and it sounds like they're hungry to win out this season. The players talk about it like there's no doubt. Like it's going to happen. So let's buckle up and drive safely to January 6th or 7th.

Bengals 26-9

Mojokong - The Destroyer of Evil Naysayers and Slayer of Many Wicked Browns Fans.