Bengals vs. Saints: Full Report Card Grades for Cincinnati
In one of the most erratic turnarounds in recent memory, the Cincinnati Bengals entered hostile territory in New Orleans Sunday and came away with a 27-10 triumph over the Saints.
One week removed from an embarrassment at the hands of the Cleveland Browns at home, the outlook was bleak for the Bengals going into the contest, but the team jumped out to an early advantage and never looked back while correcting a number of mistakes that had plagued it for weeks.
Quarterback Andy Dalton was sharp, the ground game was brutal and Paul Guenther's defense held Drew Brees to 255 passing yards and one touchdown while cleaning up tackling issues. The Saints as a whole stormed to 330 total yards and an 8-of-13 mark on third downs, but they were simply unable to break the Bengals.
For a team in disarray but very much still in the hunt, Sunday's trip to New Orleans was a statement that the Bengals are back to form and have what it takes to seize the AFC North.
Within, let's break down the team's performance by positional units.
Quarterback: A
1 of 10
Andy Dalton was a downright different player Sunday in New Orleans.
A week and change removed from a huge letdown in which he tossed three interceptions, Dalton was accurate and savvy in the pocket for most of the game.
ESPN.com's Coley Harvey put it best during the first half:
"Much better pocket awareness for Andy Dalton today. He looks more sure of what to do with himself if plays break down. Two scrambles, 15 yds
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) November 16, 2014"
Dalton's timely escapes made up for a shaky line at times. He almost lost a potential touchdown pass on a Jermaine Gresham fumble and recovery but still finished with an 16-of-22 mark for 220 yards and three touchdowns.
It was a gritty performance by Dalton, who needed a smooth outing to right the wrongs of about a week ago. He was smooth in the pocket all day long and tossed some of the best passes of his season in the process.
Grade: A
Running Back: A
2 of 10
The Jeremy Hill show was in full effect Sunday in New Orleans.
In place of the injured Giovani Bernard once more—and this time returning to his stomping grounds of Louisiana—Hill put forth a major effort.
Case in point—the Bengals were killing the clock with less than a minute left in the first half. Hill took a handoff and instead of going down and heading to the locker room ripped off a 62-yard gain that allowed the team to get a field goal before the break.
Paul Dehner Jr. of Cincinnati.com put it best:
"That's a 62-yard gain when #Bengals were one foot in the locker room.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 16, 2014"
Against a defense that entered the game ranked 11th against the rush, Hill wound up with 27 carries for 152 yards on a 5.6 per-carry average.
Complementing him was Rex Burkhead, who showed strongly in the passing game with three grabs for 36 yards.
Grade: A
Wide Receiver and Tight End: A
3 of 10
It was a strange day for Cincinnati Bengals receivers in New Orleans.
A.J. Green had a dropped touchdown pass in the first half on a throw that could have been better. Mohamed Sanu was close to breaking one for a major gain. James Wright showed well once again in limited duty.
Strangest of all, Jermaine Gresham came through big on the team's first drive. Granted, he fumbled while extending the ball for a touchdown, but he recovered it. Regardless, it was hard to knock the effort.
Gresham then snagged a second touchdown reception late in the contest, as illustrated by ESPN.com's Coley Harvey:
"The "Villain" with a 1-yd TD catch. The second TD Jermaine Gresham has been part of today. #Bengals now up 19-3 and the Superdome is quiet
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) November 16, 2014"
Gresham finished with two catches for 13 yards and two scores. Green caught six for 127 and a score to lead the team, three of which came on an epic drive in the second half. Sanu was strangely quiet with three for 23.
With Andy Dalton spreading the ball around, most had an opportunity to get involved.
Grade: A
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Offensive Line: B
4 of 10
Much of the issue for the Cincinnati Bengals last week against Cleveland started up front in the offensive trenches.
Like most everything else, the unit looked much better Sunday in New Orleans.
Many surely kept a close eye on rookie center Russell Bodine, but he mostly put on a strong performance and was one of the main reasons Jeremy Hill was able to rip off that aforementioned major run before the end of the first half.
A notable issue, just like last week, was backup tackle Marshall Newhouse. He continued to get beat routinely in pass protection, but as mentioned, Andy Dalton's strong pocket awareness was able to combat the problem.
In total, Dalton was sacked once, and the team as a whole rushed for 186 total yards on a 5.2 per-carry average.
The line play was not as good as it could have been, but injured and in a tough environment, it could have been much worse.
Grade: B
Defensive Line: B
5 of 10
A weak point in recent weeks turned to a strength Sunday for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Whatever changed in the Queen City had perhaps its biggest effect on Domata Peko and the defensive line. Peko was all over the field making notable plays, as ESPN.com's Coley Harvey helps point out:
"A lot of bending for the #Bengals today, but so far no breaking. They hold on the goal line four-straight plays after Peko's penalty.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) November 16, 2014"
Geno Atkins was his usual self for most of the contest, while a pair of ends made up for the lack of quality depth at the spot, as Paul Dehner Jr. of Cincinnati.com illustrates:
"Carlos Dunlap and Robert Geathers both knocked down passes on third down in the first half. Big plays.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 16, 2014"
Peko finished his strong showing with eight total tackles. Dunlap posted two with a pass defensed and four quarterback hits. Drew Brees was not sacked but was under relatively consistent pressure. The Saints rushed for just 75 yards.
The line mostly looked like the dominant unit of the past few years. If the team is lucky, Sunday was just the beginning.
Grade: B
Linebacker: B
6 of 10
The return of Rey Maualuga had a big impact Sunday, to say the least.
Vontaze Burfict was still missing in action, but the linebacker corps did a great job in New Orleans. It started with Maualuga, who wound up with three total tackles, two for a loss. Emmanuel Lamur was good in coverage as always and notched 10. Vincent Rey exploded to lead the team with 12 total tackles.
Chick Ludwig of Fox Sports 1360 put it best concerning Maualuga:
"Goal line stand! Welcome back, Rey Maualuga ... and OMG, a Dre Kirkpatrick sighting. Dear Dre: Time for YOU to be a Man! Man-up, stud!
— Chick Ludwig (@ChickLudwig) November 16, 2014"
Missed tackles, something that had plagued the unit over the course of the past few weeks, were certainly still present but not as damaging.
When asked, the linebackers mostly held up in coverage. Thanks to the play of the men up front, the unit was able to play the run well and keep Mark Ingram in check. Given the situation, it is hard to expect much more.
Grade: B
Secondary: B-
7 of 10
Just as Leon Hall got back for the Cincinnati Bengals, Terence Newman hit the shelf.
It sounds like a doomsday scenario against the New Orleans Saints, right?
Apparently not. Hall was strong in coverage minus a few hiccups. Adam Jones played well but could have done without missed tackles once again. Most surprising was the play of Dre Kirkpatrick, whose day was highlighted by a prevented touchdown in the end zone.
Larry Holder of NOLA.com put it bluntly enough:
"Nice PBU by Dre Kirkpatrick.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) November 16, 2014"
At safety, it was mostly a quiet game for George Iloka and Reggie Nelson, which is nothing but a good thing against Drew Brees. The latter registered seven tackles, while the former had a quiet day outside of a questionable personal-foul flag early in the game.
There were miscues, such as the miscommunication that led to the Saints' lone touchdown, but overall the unit held up well despite once again being without a key cog. Health is the next thing the secondary needs to tackle.
Grade: B-
Special Teams: A
8 of 10
Another week, another strong showing by Cincinnati Bengals punter Kevin Huber. Ditto for corner Adam Jones, who continues to finally see plenty of chances on kick and punt returns.
Jones found his way to 74 yards on a pair of kick returns. When it comes to winning the field-position battle, Jones is a major upgrade over Brandon Tate. He has his duds, but more often than not his average is much better than most in the league.
As for Huber, it was another day at the office. Two punts led to a 44 average, and the Saints were pinned inside the 20-yard line once. Mike Nugent hit on both of his attempts.
Special teams did not need a major return to form Sunday but stayed the course. That is a good thing.
Grade: A
Coaching: B
9 of 10
Whatever the Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff did after the Cleveland loss worked. Big time.
Hue Jackson's offense was strong for most of the game. There were less predictable calls such as screens. There were more wrinkles such as the implementation of Rex Burkhead to make up for the loss of key players.
The same can be said for Paul Guenther's defense, which was repeatedly bent but rarely broken. The lack of Terence Newman was masked through consistent pressure and a sudden ability to generate solid pressure. Ugly tackling issues were downright exorcised.
Now, Marvin Lewis did lose a challenge, but it was a quality one near the end zone in the first half.
All things considered, a coaching staff that came under heavy fire last week somehow turned things around in a hurry. No matter what changed, Lewis and Co. deserve a ton of credit.
Grade: B
Final Grades
10 of 10
| Positional Unit | Overall Grade |
| QB | A |
| RB | A |
| WR/TE | A |
| OL | B |
| DL | B |
| LB | B |
| Secondary | B- |
| Special Teams | A |
| Coaching | B |
| Cumulative Grade | B+ |
Sunday is a prime example of how a championship contender responds in the face of enormous adversity.
Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals were a different team down in New Orleans, a locale that is normally very difficult to steal a win at. But the Bengals were disciplined, careful with the football and played to their strengths all game.
It is an encouraging sign to say the least. Now, one can argue all day about how the game would have played out had it been on prime time, but a win against a playoff contender on the road is just that.
It is a great way to start a three-game road streak too. Matchups against the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers loom in the coming weeks, but the trip to New Orleans was the one to worry most about.
With the demons exorcised, all the Bengals have to do now as the season begins to wind down is develop some consistency against any and all comers.
All stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com, as of 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 16, unless otherwise specified.
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