2010, Week 1- Bengals @ Patriots, "Opening Day of NFL 2010"

[Redsfan320]

Thought I'd get this started. :whodey:

320

[UKFlounder]

I wonder when the Bengals will get started. I have to leave the house now, but NE has dominated so far - 16-0 pending the replay challenge

[UKFlounder]

Make it 17-0. Marvin just forfeited a time out

[Redsfan320]

That TD call was Bull. Pure Bull.

320

[KoryMac5]

No pass rush so far Brady has all day to throw. This could get very ugly quick.

[CTA513]

Someone might want to let the Bengals know that Benson is more of an inside runner so running him outside is not playing to his strengths.

Pass rush is non existent and guys are standing around wide open which is allowing the Patriots to pick up chunks of yards.

[CTA513]

Thats pretty much game over now.

[bucksfan2]

Embarassing.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bengals should be embarressed. This is beyond pitiful.

[KoryMac5]

Gonna be a long year folks. At least we have the Reds.

[KoryMac5]

Zimmer's D looks really slow today. I do like the offensive looks and Benson seems to be picking up speed. Got to have a TD here going into the half.

[KoryMac5]

FG makes it 24-3. So far a 54 yd FG by Nugent is THE only bright spot here.

[CTA513]

FG makes it 24-3. So far a 54 yd FG by Nugent is THE only bright spot here.

That and no penalties.

[CTA513]

Shipley is now the leading receiver after catching a 51 yard hail mary pass to end the 1st half.

Its still 24-3 though.

[Brutus]

That was fast.

[CTA513]

I remember when kickoffs were supposed to be better once Graham was let go.

[KoryMac5]

I did not expect a win today in NE but to be blown out like this is pretty disheartning.

[CTA513]

Shipley is going to keep moving up the depth chart with the way he is willing to fight for the ball.

He caught that hail mary while surrounded and then basically grabbed the ball out of the Patriots hands for a 1st down.

[KoryMac5]

Gresham with the TD. Good looking drive by the Bengals. Need to keep the offense wide open. Patriots can't cover all of them.

[KoryMac5]

Shipley is going to keep moving up the depth chart with the way he is willing to fight for the ball.

He caught that hail mary while surrounded and then basically grabbed the ball out of the Patriots hands for a 1st down.

Shipley is jacked, I wished my arms looked like his.

[Brutus]

Gresham with the TD. Good looking drive by the Bengals. Need to keep the offense wide open. Patriots can't cover all of them.

There is no reason, at this point, not to go no-huddle the rest of the game. It's the only thing working and given the 3 touchdown deficit, it's the only chance of coming back.

[KoryMac5]

Zimmer has to make some adjustments, his packages haven't worked all day.

[KoryMac5]

Patriots finally go 3 and out. First sighting of the punter for NE.

[KoryMac5]

Palmer has been impressive except for the pick 6. Under pressure all day and able to stand in their and take the heat.

[CTA513]

This game could be closer if they didn't give up TDs on the pick 6 and kick return.

[Brutus]

TOUCHDOWN! Bengals.

31-17.

A man can dream.

[KoryMac5]

Nice TD there. Bengals behind 31-17 now. Need to get out of the gate quick next week as the offense appears potent.

[KoryMac5]

Quick stop here is what the D needs.

[Oxilon]

Pats are just chewing up time now. Dhani Jones covering Walker was a joke.

[KoryMac5]

NO Pressure on Brady all day.

[The Operator]

Game over. What's with the defense?

[CTA513]

38-17

Going to be a long season if the defense can't rush the passer even when the other team is missing starters on the O-Line.

[Brutus]

Game over. What's with the defense?

Good question. The offense has shown some flashes today. I don't worry about them despite the slow start.

But this defense is getting gashed.

[KoryMac5]

D is a concern. Was concerned about them in the preseason as well. Zimmer will need to study some tape this week. I would start moving Dunlap and Atkins into the rotation to get some speed on D. Look at New England they had a lot of speed on Defense with players flying to the ball. Bengals were more read and react today.

[CTA513]

Final is 38-24 but for some reason this loss doesn't suck as much as in the past.
I just hope the Bengals can build on what the offense did in the 2nd half.

[WMR]

It seems like the defense was in the incorrect scheme all game long. Strange from Zimmer. The Patriots are good on offense, but the Bengals took the Patriots pre-existing advantages and exacerbated them.

[blumj]

Final is 38-24 but for some reason this loss doesn't suck as much as in the past.
I just hope the Bengals can build on what the offense did in the 2nd half.

Difference in the score was a pick 6 and kick return TD, so stop doing that, and they should be fine.

[Tony Cloninger]

Last time the Bengals had a pass rush was Coy Bacon and Gary Burley in 1976. Eddie Edwards has been the only semblance of a pass rushing DE since that time.

Robert Geathers has "James Francis disease" ...nice talent...has a good year to get a contract and then blows. Reinard Wilson had it too.

OL blows...as expected. They really thought they would be OK with this line? Awesome!

[GIDP]

Bengals looked better in the 2nd half once they figured out that running the ball when you have TO, Ocho, Ship, and Gresh at your disposal is a waste of downs.

[Sea Ray]

What we had today we've seen way too many times. How often have we seen an Opening Day where our opponent is much more prepared than our Bengals? The only year in recent memory that the Bengals looked like they were ready to start the year was 2006.

The Patriots were ready to go and the Bengals were not up to speed. Marvin did not have our guys ready to play. Last year we were not ready to play either. We struggled at home vs another struggling team and only scored once.

This game is also example #1 of our tough 2010 schedule. Not only is starting at Foxborough extremely tough, so is catching them at the beginning of the year. By the 2nd half I doubt these Patriots will look so sharp as injuries and whatnot will take their toll on this team with many veterans 30 and over. It was a bad draw. Well coached team vs our ill coached team. I would have much rather started with Atl at home or TB on the road. Traditionally the Bengals have never looked up to speed on day one

[New York Red]

I didn't expect to open with a win at Foxboro, but I also didn't expect to start out down 31-3 after the second half kickoff. There's no excuse for being that ill-prepared. We looked much better in the second half, particularly in the third quarter. But I don't know how much of that was the Bengals making adjustments and cranking it up a notch, and how much of it was the Patriots taking their foot off the throttle and/or easing up intensity-wise.

The key game early is against the Ravens. That game will be the difference in us starting out 4-1 or 3-2. Anything less than a 3-2 start, with our remaining schedule, we'll be in trouble. So whatever caused the Bengals to start the way they did today, better be fixed by next week.

[Cedric]

There isn't a more simple game than football. Protect your Qb and get to the opposing Qb and you will most likely win.

Teams like the Colts/Patriots/Saints have figured out how to do this. It's the only way to consistently win. 3rd downs are impossible to stop because of this and are impossible to obtain because of this.

[bucksfan2]

I see two major problems with the Bengals this season.

1. Marvin Lewis. I am a Marvin fan but the Bengals are known to throw in a stinker in there more often than not. They come out at times lacking focus, lacking motivation, and playing an emotionless game of football. Marvin is the primary one to blame because this is his team, his players. You have to get them motivated to play.

2. Carson Palmer. All preseason long we heard about the weapons Carson would have this year. In game #1 he mustered 3 first half points playing with 2 future HOF WR's against a defense starting a rookie CB and a second year CB. Another pick 6 to put the game out of reach. He finally started to look good once the game was well out of hand. If the Bengals are going to do anything this season its going to rest on Carson's shoulders. He can't come out and play an awful first half while the other team is lighting it up.

All and all it wasn't all together bad. The team came out and played better in the second half. Thye showed some fight when they could have packed it in. But in reality all it counts for is one loss in a 16 game season.

[Vottomatic]

1. Defense sucked, period. I was expecting more. Pats walked down the field anytime they wanted to in the first half.

2. Big play killed us. INT return and Kickoff return.

3. I do see potential with this offense. I'm still questioning Palmer though. Just seems to lack that big play capability.

[KoryMac5]

I thought Palmer played well going 34-50 for 345 with 2 TD's. The pick six hurt but it shouldn't diminish a good day from him. What hurt was Brat's play calling the first few series. You got weapons on this team use them and open up the offense. He's like a guy with a sports car who is afraid to go too fast. Open it up in week two and go with the no huddle for the rest of the season.

Zimmer needs to go back to the drawing board. I would hate to be a member of that D this week because he is going to be all over those guys for poor play and blown assignments.

[GIDP]

Bengals run the ball for no yards too often it seems. They have good runs but the 5 or 6 carries for 1 yard total kills any type of offensive drive they seem to muster.

[Cedric]

I thought Palmer played well going 34-50 for 345 with 2 TD's. The pick six hurt but it shouldn't diminish a good day from him. What hurt was Brat's play calling the first few series. You got weapons on this team use them and open up the offense. He's like a guy with a sports car who is afraid to go too fast. Open it up in week two and go with the no huddle for the rest of the season.

Zimmer needs to go back to the drawing board. I would hate to be a member of that D this week because he is going to be all over those guys for poor play and blown assignments.

The lack of a pass rush was way more important than blown assignments. It's impossible to defend for 10 seconds at this level.

The Bengals also need to find a way to get rid of Dhani Jones. He was the worst player on the field by a country mile.

[SeeinRed]

I thought Palmer played well going 34-50 for 345 with 2 TD's. The pick six hurt but it shouldn't diminish a good day from him. What hurt was Brat's play calling the first few series. You got weapons on this team use them and open up the offense. He's like a guy with a sports car who is afraid to go too fast. Open it up in week two and go with the no huddle for the rest of the season.

Zimmer needs to go back to the drawing board. I would hate to be a member of that D this week because he is going to be all over those guys for poor play and blown assignments.


I agree, I actually thought Palmer looked good. He threw a very good ball most of the day. I also think the play calling handcuffed them in the first half. Watching them score in the second half was a little bittersweet. I felt a lot better about the offense, but they sure used a whole lot of the clock on those drives.

Defense was another story. No pressure on Brady and chuncks of yards given up. I don't think they will be as bad as they looked today, but they need to be a whole lot better. Kick coverage also looks to be a concern.

All things considered, things could have not gone much worse, and I doubt the Bengals play this poorly all season. They are a much better team than they showed today. I'm not all that worried yet.

[CTA513]

The offense looked good when they spread the defense out with 3-4 WRs and then mixed in the running game.

[Hoosier Red]

The lack of a pass rush was way more important than blown assignments. It's impossible to defend for 10 seconds at this level.

The Bengals also need to find a way to get rid of Dhani Jones. He was the worst player on the field by a country mile.

If Chad or TO had played that poorly do you think critics would have pointed out that they needed to spend less time on their reality show?

Not that I'm of the opinion that it makes a lick of difference for any of them, but I doubt Chad or TO get's the benefit of the doubt.

[Cedric]

If Chad or TO had played that poorly do you think critics would have pointed out that they needed to spend less time on their reality show?

Not that I'm of the opinion that it makes a lick of difference for any of them, but I doubt Chad or TO get's the benefit of the doubt.

Funny you mention that. Marvin was asked about that right away in the press conference. Second question was about a T.O or Chad distraction.

[freestyle55]

(Full disclaimer, didn't get to see the game today...)

Read someone on twitter who said Carson basically stopped targeting TO after he gave up on a play or two. Is that accurate? How did TO look today? He still worries me that the malcontent side is going to rear its ugly head sooner or later...

[guttle11]

At the end of the day, show up ready for a fight and that's a ballgame for 60 minutes. You can't play 29:40 of football and beat New England. The fact that they got it to 31-17 and were a stop away from getting back in the game has to be a positive on some small level.

That offense will light up the scoreboard if they go no huddle more often. Too many weapons for a tiring defense to stop. As soon as they upped the tempo New England couldn't stop them. Other than the INT they were carving up the Pats defense. Gresham and Shipley showed what they can and will be today. Really open things up, Carson has never had 4 legit weapons. And when Leonard gets healthy that's a 5th weapon to use on third down plays.

The NFL is about week 2. Beat the Ravens and the Bengals are just fine. If they can overcome the Stokley loss last year, this loss shouldn't have any lasting effect.

[GIDP]

TO and Chad looked fine. Carson looked fine other than a couple of forced passes.

[Cedric]

TO and Chad looked fine. Carson looked fine other than a couple of forced passes.

Carson was horrible. It's incredibly easy to compete passes when a team goes into a soft cover 2 and just wants you to waste time.

When the game mattered Carson was horrible in every way.

I hope people don't forget that even obtaining 5 yards in the first half seemingly took an act of god.

The Bengals were dominated up front on both sides of the ball.

[GIDP]

Carson was horrible. It's incredibly easy to compete passes when a team goes into a soft cover 2 and just wants you to waste time.

When the game mattered Carson was horrible in every way.

Its Palmers fault that the D couldnt stop anyone apparently. Very crappy of him to not play better "when it mattered" for all of 1 drive in the game apparently.

[GIDP]

Palmer should throw for 400 yards and 3 TDs next time. Maybe the Bengals might have a chance of winning instead of him choking the chances they had away. Can't believe how awful Palmer was today.

[Cedric]

Palmer should throw for 400 yards and 3 TDs next time. Maybe the Bengals might have a chance of winning instead of him choking the chances they had away. Can't believe how awful Palmer was today.

What don't you understand about football son? The Patriots were up 24-0 at one point. That means the Bengals had the ball a few times correct?

Once a team gains a huge advantage on another team they adjust and try and avoid a mistake/allowing a big play. Carson and TO both mentioned how bad the offense was in the 1st half and how the Patriots went into a soft cover 2 and helped the offense find a groove.

You didn't mention Carson throwing a pick 6 with the game still on the line did you?

When the game mattered the Qb was horrible. Just like the whole team. I'm not bashing Carson alone here.

[TeamSelig]

I thought Palmer played poorly today, despite his statistics looking okay. 1 INT but I think one was taken away via penalty... and another (maybe 2?) where the defender just didn't catch the ball.

Also it seemed like he was FORCING the ball to TO in the beginning. Seemed as if was either a successful pass to TO, TO dropped it, he was too covered to get to it, or Palmer got sacked while looking for TO. Then in the 2nd half, it was to Ochocinco every play lol. Mix it up some, Carson.

[Redhook]

What don't you understand about football son? The Patriots were up 24-0 at one point. That means the Bengals had the ball a few times correct?

Once a team gains a huge advantage on another team they adjust and try and avoid a mistake/allowing a big play. Carson and TO both mentioned how bad the offense was in the 1st half and how the Patriots went into a soft cover 2 and helped the offense find a groove.

You didn't mention Carson throwing a pick 6 with the game still on the line did you?

When the game mattered the Qb was horrible. Just like the whole team. I'm not bashing Carson alone here.

Exactly.

[GIDP]

What don't you understand about football son? The Patriots were up 24-0 at one point. That means the Bengals had the ball a few times correct?

Once a team gains a huge advantage on another team they adjust and try and avoid a mistake/allowing a big play. Carson and TO both mentioned how bad the offense was in the 1st half and how the Patriots went into a soft cover 2 and helped the offense find a groove.

You didn't mention Carson throwing a pick 6 with the game still on the line did you?

When the game mattered the Qb was horrible. Just like the whole team. I'm not bashing Carson alone here.

I said he was fine other than a couple of forced passes. I didnt say he played amazing. You on the other said he was horrible. Sorry if Im not so extreme in my opinions. I didnt realize I was hurting someones feelings by saying a QB who threw for 340 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT and had a QB rating of 97 or what ever was fine other than a couple of passes. Next time that stat line happens in a game where the defense stops someone I hope you suggest hes just as horrible. Then again the game probably matters then or at least you will say it will.

I respect your opinion that you feel he was horrible, but come on that seems pretty over the top to me. Maybe we can just agree that he didnt play great. He certainly wasnt the reason this team lost by 14 points.

[bucksfan2]

I said he was fine other than a couple of forced passes. I didnt say he played amazing. You on the other said he was horrible. Sorry if Im not so extreme in my opinions. I didnt realize I was hurting someones feelings by saying a QB who threw for 340 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT and had a QB rating of 97 or what ever was fine other than a couple of passes. Next time that stat line happens in a game where the defense stops someone I hope you suggest hes just as horrible. Then again the game probably matters then or at least you will say it will.

I respect your opinion that you feel he was horrible, but come on that seems pretty over the top to me. Maybe we can just agree that he didnt play great. He certainly wasnt the reason this team lost by 14 points.

The game was 24-0 with the help of a pick 6. The offense and Carson had done zero to that point in the game. If you want to laud Carson's play in the second half that is fine. I was somewhat impressed that the team had some fight in it. But to say Carson had a good game because of his numbers fails to realize that he did it when the game was out of hand. Carson had a great fantasy game, the guy I was playing had him, but he stunk up the joint in the first half.

[GIDP]

First quarter
Palmer completed 3 of 5 passes. 37 yards
Benson ran 5 times for 7 yards and a fumble.
2nd quarter
Completed 9 of 14 passes for 93 yards with 1 INT
Benson ran 5 times for 27 yards.

Palmer basically was the only person doing anything yesterday. Putting the loss so hard on him like that is lazy.

Benson ran for 34 yards and a fumble on 10 attempts. If anything was killing the offense it was him and the O line not blocking for him.

Palmer was 12 of 19 with 130 yards and 1 INT, which I said was a bad play. He also threw a handful of deep passes that were not caught but bounced off the recievers hands. Not exactly drops but its not like his passes were off mark.

The D and the running game were the issues more than anything Palmer did yesterday. To suggest he didnt do anythin when the game matters is honestly coming across like you want to say Palmer isnt good.

Sorry but I'll take Palmer throwing for 130 yards every half for the rest of the year if thats the baseline for a terrible performance. Yes the pick was a bad thing, but they also happen.

On the whole there is no way you can say Palmer was a bad as you are trying to make him out to be other than stating improvable facts like "the game didnt matter". What is this adam dunn bashing just transferred to Palmer or something?

[KoryMac5]

First quarter
Palmer completed 3 of 5 passes. 37 yards
Benson ran 5 times for 7 yards and a fumble.
2nd quarter
Completed 9 of 14 passes for 93 yards with 1 INT
Benson ran 5 times for 27 yards.

Palmer basically was the only person doing anything yesterday. Putting the loss so hard on him like that is lazy.

Benson ran for 34 yards and a fumble on 10 attempts. If anything was killing the offense it was him and the O line not blocking for him.

Palmer was 12 of 19 with 130 yards and 1 INT, which I said was a bad play. He also threw a handful of deep passes that were not caught but bounced off the recievers hands. Not exactly drops but its not like his passes were off mark.

The D and the running game were the issues more than anything Palmer did yesterday. To suggest he didnt do anythin when the game matters is honestly coming across like you want to say Palmer isnt good.

Sorry but I'll take Palmer throwing for 130 yards every half for the rest of the year if thats the baseline for a terrible performance. Yes the pick was a bad thing, but they also happen.

On the whole there is no way you can say Palmer was a bad as you are trying to make him out to be other than stating improvable facts like "the game didnt matter". What is this adam dunn bashing just transferred to Palmer or something?

I agree 100% I thought Palmer played pretty good, but the running game could not get on track. It was like the offense couldn't figure out what they wanted to do, pass first or smashmouth football. For the day if I was grading Carson I would have given him a B- and that's due to the pick 6 that he gave up on a poor decision.

Bengals need to get a gameplan together against the Ravens next week hopefully Brat will utilize the no huddle scheme to his advantage to wear out some of the older Raven players.

[Redsfaithful]

It's pretty cliche to blame the offensive coordinator and I try to avoid that, but that was some weird offensive playcalling in the first half. I'd be ok with Dan Coats never being an option on third down for instance.

[RiverRat13]

I'd be ok with Dan Coats never being an option on third down for instance.

Maybe Brat was going for the element of surprise??? :eek:

[Eric_the_Red]

I'd be ok with Dan Coats never being an option on third down for instance.

Or second down. Or first down.