Cincinnati Bengals Week 14 Stock Report
Perhaps only the undefeated Carolina Panthers have higher stock than the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL right now.
Going into Week 14, the Bengals control the AFC North at 10-2 and sit in the driver's seat for the AFC's top seed. Andy Dalton's team has won two in a row, the latest a 37-3 laugher against the Cleveland Browns to complete the season sweep in the so-called Battle of Ohio.
Cincinnati finishes the season with three winnable matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, the other being the most important in a showdown with the Denver Broncos featuring plenty of conference implications.
Before the Bengals get ready for Pittsburgh, here's a look at the team's notable stock movers going into Week 14.
Stock Up: Marvin Jones
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Many focused on Cincinnati No. 1 wideout A.J. Green after the team's dismantling of the Browns, and rightfully so, considering he caught five passes for 128 yards and a score on a team-high six targets.
What doesn't get enough credit, though, is the performance put on by Marvin Jones across from him with tight end Tyler Eifert watching from the sidelines with an injury.
Jones assumed the role as the No. 2 option in the passing offense and caught all five of his targets for 55 yards and a score, keeping Cleveland honest and the running lanes open.
It's been an up-and-down season for Jones, who missed all of last year. Sunday, though, he showed the damage he can do if the team needs to lean on him.
Stock Down: Giovani Bernard
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For the second week in a row, Giovani Bernard took a back seat to Jeremy Hill in the running game.
The coaching staff gave Hill 22 rushing opportunities against a weak rush defense, whereas Bernard, the complement, only received five. He did well by gaining 26 yards, but not enough to earn more playing time.
Perhaps just as odd was his clear lack of chances through the air, as Dalton targeted him just once despite the absence of Eifert.
There's a chance the coaching staff wanted Bernard to take it easy for a week against a beatable opponent. Before the last couple of weeks, he had taken more snaps than usual as a runner, and the team would like to have him healthy and explosive for the playoffs.
Either way, his odd lack of involvement with the offense down one of its key weapons has his stock on the decline.
Stock Up: Russell Bodine
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Guess who hasn't had his name called often as a weak spot as of late?
Much-maligned center Russell Bodine.
Bodine has been on the wrong end of a spotlight all season, which is what happens when a team trades up for a player and he struggles on what is otherwise perhaps the best unit in the league.
Over the course of the past two weeks, though, Bodine hasn't heard his name called as a player struggling.
According to Pro Football Focus, over his past two games, Bodine hasn't allowed a sack and surrendered just five total quarterback hurries, which is better than, say, his six-hurry game back in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks.
For the Bengals, it's about the little things now. Bodine playing steady football certainly qualifies as something to watch.
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Stock Down: Rey Maualuga
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It's almost nitpicking to point out a player with falling stock on a team that just scored a 37-3 victory, but linebacker Rey Maualuga is one to point out.
Most will focus on Maualuga's odd scrap with his own teammates while attempting to recover a fumble against the Browns. Had he realized he wasn't fighting the other team for the ball, he could have scooped it up and returned it for a score.
Beneath the surface, though, Maualuga just posted one of his worst-graded games of the year at PFF with a season-worst mark in pass coverage.
Maualuga isn't the type of player who should be asked to cover the pass often, but on a team operating at such a high level in all facets, it's one of the low points worth mentioning.
Stock Up: Andy Dalton
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Last Sunday was another day at the office for the improved Dalton.
He didn't have to do much, but he did it big when necessary, finishing with a 14-of-19 line for 220 yards and two touchdowns. According to ESPN.com's Coley Harvey, he even went 5-of-5 on his deep passes.
As coach Marvin Lewis told Fox 19's Joe Danneman, Dalton's play might only improve: "He keeps raising the level...they (rest of team) know as well as they play, he'll play even better."
All things considered, it wasn't a bad week for a quarterback who had to play without one of his favorite targets.
In the coming weeks, Dalton should get Eifert back and continue his upward trajectory. In theory, he'll continue to take the team along for the ride.
Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of December 8. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
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