Didn't see a continuous dialogue of this team so I would start a thread.

I've not posted much lately but since the Reds are on the verge of breaking my heart I am beginning to shift my focus to the other team that routinely breaks my heart.....the Bengals.

1-1 start. Tough week one loss at Chicago but a showing that illustrated they have the tools to win but will struggle to put them together. Last night's win vs. Pittsburgh was a big mental hurdle for this team but the league won't give it much aplomb because the Steelers are a sub .500 team this year.

Week 3 vs. Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers makes everything look easy. Andy Dalton made the game look extremely difficult last night. I will chalk half one up to nerves, but good grief those were some horrific throws. The Packers defense is again susceptible to the big play and a top flight wide receiver can give them fits (see Anquan Boldin). Bengals will need to control the ball and keep Green Bay off the field and force Rodgers to play conservatively.

With James Starks in the backfield the Green Bay running game is a bit improved from the untested Eddie Lacy, however Starks isn't the homerun hitter the Packers would like. Bengals front 4 will look to neutralize the running game and at the same time keep Rodgers in the pocket and get at his feet.

Should be a good game for a while but I have too much faith in the Packers I think and will take them to win by 8 points.

Thoughts

1. Dalton and the WR's need to get on the same page. Andy threw about half a dozen balls nowhere near a WR, and 3 or 4 times it appears the WR either missed the route or didn't know the play. If so, they have an advantage against GB's secondary.

2. Against GB, the Bengals d-line will be a huge advantage. In the first 3 weeks, they are facing probably 3 of the bottom 10 offensive lines in the NFL. Unfortunately, the Packers can really kill them offensively (more potent than CHI and especially PIT). If they don't get pressure consistently, it's going to be trouble watching Pacman or Newman covering Jones and Nelson and any LB trying to cover Finley.

3. It's quite obvious more plays need to be run for Bernard, and Gresham/Eifert need even more targets. Not having fullback is concerning, but it's not like the Bengals ran into a pinch with using Peko. They chose Orson Charles over John Conner, who is a true bruising FB. Chris Pressley will be back in week 6, rendering it all irrelevant, but last night they chose to not dress Charles in lieu of dressing a 3rd TE in Alex Smith.

4. Need better special teams coverage.

Andy was keyed up it seems. His high throws were a result of him overthrowing. Since his arm strength isn't the greatest anyway, when he amps it up he become wildly inaccurate. Hopefully we see a more efficient form of Dalton sunday when the lights aren't as bright. Green Bay thankfully has a linebacking corps that is insufficient in pass coverage and doesn't have a shut down secondary. It could be a big day for the Bengals offense.

That being said, Randall Cobb and Jermichael Finley will probably destroy the bengals defense and it will come down the defensive line's ability to get to Rodgers.

Special teams coverage? How has it been so woeful thus far?

I'm pretty sure the Bengals have allowed 3 or 4 punt returns of 20+ yards and committed at least 3 penalties on punts/kickoffs. It's early, but those (and false starts/illegal shifts) are the worst because there isn't any positive that comes out of it. At least if you're getting penalties in the secondary or on bit hits, you have some intrinsic benefit.

Yesterday was an emotional roller coaster. Having been in the stands when the Bengals lead 28-7 at half over San Diego only to lose, when 14-0 rolled around I was still cautiously optimistic. The 4 consecutive possessions with a turnover was some of the most stupefying football I have seen the Bengals play, the Bruce Coslet era included.

Not a Bengals fan but I do get to go to PBS for a Fuel Up to Play60 program tomorrow and Michael Johnson is the Bengals player in charge of this and we'll get to meet him and listen to him for a couple sessions throughout the morning and afternoon.

So, will the Bengals have the stones to trade for a CB? They need to, because every other aspect of the team is pretty good.

Pacman and Newman are the starters, while Ghee and Kirkpatrick are the backups. Both of those guys are made of glass and Pacman and Newman are borderline starters at-best.

Asante Samuel? Leodis McKelvin? Prince Amukamara? Cortland Finnegan?

Andrew Hawkins back in practice this week. Having him back will give the offense another weapon.

Not sure where he fit besides a a wr4 after the way Jones has been playing.

Dallas Clark with a bad 3rd down drop

Failed 4th down by Cincy

1st flea flicker I've seen all year....Flacco under threw it by a mile

Flacco with a 6 second scramble and then a TD pass

Those are the worst

Ngata personal foul on Dalton to prevent Bengals punt

BJGE picked up the wrong blitzer and about got Dalton killed

Ravens getting some pressure

Chris Crocker with 2 penalties for 63 yards so far

Surprised they awarded that a first down as replay again didn't have a great angle and difficult to say where the ball was when he crossed the plane of OB

Ngata out with a sprained knee.....karma

Nugent due to miss

He would've just made it but strong wind took it well left.

12/16 on year....he's lucky he has those 2 huge FG

Damn....MJ swallowed up Ray Rice

Another PI on the Bengals

A reverse to backup QB Tyrod Taylor.....nice play

MJ gets to Flacco and hits his arm forcing an easy INT

Bad INT leads to an easy TD.....

Game getting out of hand