Chargers vs. Bengals: Cincinnati Grades, Notes and Quotes

While not always pretty, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business to start the season 2-0 by turning away the San Diego Chargers 24-19 Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.

There, the Bengals got a big performance from running back Giovani Bernard on the ground, who took over the load after Jeremy Hill limped off with an injury early in the contest and fumbled twice. Andy Dalton spread the ball out to his bevy of weapons, as Tyler Eifert, Marvin Jones and A.J. Green all found pay dirt.

Most impressive was the Geno Atkins-led defense, which sacked Philip Rivers four times and held him to 241 yards with two scores and an interception. The unit allowed 5.2 yards per rush to impressive rookie back Melvin Gordon but secured three turnovers to compensate.

It's a critical win for Marvin Lewis' team, giving it two conference wins in the books before an AFC North showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.

Within, let's review the important talking points from the victory.

Position Grades for Bengals

Gary Landers/Associated Press

Position	Grade
QB	B
RB	A
WR	A
TE	A
OL	A
DL	A+
LB	C
DB	B
Special Teams	B
Coaching	B

Like last week, there isn't much to complain about when looking at Cincinnati's performance.

Dalton threw a trio of scores and misfired on just 10 attempts—the reason for knocking his grade down coming on ugly overthrows, especially two in the second half that would have gone for scores.

At running back, Bernard looked great after the Hill injury considering the original game plan might have offered him few chances. He averaged 6.2 yards per rush and busted off several key gains behind an offensive line that once again prevented Dalton from being sacked despite the presence of names such as Melvin Ingram.

There didn't appear to be any major drop issues for passing targets, either, and even Jones got himself involved after a quiet season debut.

There isn't much to say about the defensive line. Atkins continues to dominate anyone he lines up against, freeing those on the outside to rush. Linebacker is where the Bengals seemed to have the most issues, especially in the tackling department. The poor performance against a rookie back stresses the importance of Vontaze Burfict's return later in the season.

Outside of a coverage gaffe by Dre Kirkpatrick, the secondary put on a strong performance. It's hard to fault the unit for sometimes getting knocked up and down the field underneath by San Diego's short passing game when Rivers does it so well against any defense.

For Lewis and his staff, it's another successful outing with the team playing well and the strategy sound. There weren't any major timeout or challenge issues, and the offense kept rolling despite Hill's issue.

Hill Exits, Bernard Rolls

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Grand expectations followed Hill into Sunday's contest after his Week 1 output of 63 yards and two scores in Oakland.

Instead, Hill left with an injury early on and wound up losing two fumbles when given a chance. His lack of opportunities likely had as much to do with Bernard's strong performance as with him now residing in Lewis' doghouse.

Considering fumbles were a known issue last year, when Hill fumbled four times and lost two, a pair in one game doesn't bode well for his status, especially not after the game Bernard just had.

Speaking of Bernard, it's clear the team can run outside well with the North Carolina product when it so chooses. Part of it is the elite status of the unit, but it's more so Bernard's strong vision and ability to make defenders miss at the second level.

If Sunday's usage and performances were any sign, Lewis won't hesitate to take one out for the other in the backfield due to issues and still expect a solid outing. Call it an embarrassment of riches for a team deep at most positions.

Offensive Line Stands Strong

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Another week, another strong performance for left tackle Andrew Whitworth and his unit.

Last week it was Aldon Smith and Khalil Mack, this week Ingram and Kyle Emanuel. The offensive line once again refused to allow a sack of Dalton in what was a clean game other than a perceived fumble that was overturned and ruled an incompletion.

Tanner Hesterberg of WYMT-TV provided just one example of the line's performance helping the team: "Cincinnati's offensive line has been dominant so far this season. Dalton had forever to throw that bomb to Jones."

The long touchdown to Jones trumpeted the line's ability to help slow-developing plays unfold, but the unit also showed a nasty side in the ground game while bulldozing around for Bernard.

With the line winning the battles in the trenches like this, it's no wonder the Bengals continue to move the football well through all avenues with a variety of names.

Vincent Rey Saves the Day

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

From Duke to practice squad to major contributor, linebacker Vincent Rey continues to make plays for the Bengals at a position often riddled with injuries.

Sunday, Rey not only recorded four tackles, one of them for a loss, and defended a pass, but he also recorded the game-clinching interception late by soaring for the ball as the Chargers made a late drive.

While the linebacker corps as a whole didn't have the best day against running backs, Rey flew all over the field and provided a nice stopgap solution for the team as it awaits the return of Burfict.

Rey won't get the headlines. But it's fitting that a team such as the Bengals goes out and seals the deal against a tough AFC opponent by a great play from a guy who has worked his tail off to stick around on a deep roster.

This won't be the last time onlookers hear Rey's name called this year.

Andy Dalton: Mistakes 'On Him'

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

It's no secret the Bengals left some points on the field Sunday against San Diego.

Two of the notable issues were overthrows on Dalton's part, with targets wide-open for scores if the passes had been more accurate.

Dalton confirmed the notion after the game in a press conference when asked about a comment from Lewis. ESPN.com's Coley Harvey shared the summary: "Andy Dalton says it's on him that the Bengals offense, as Marvin Lewis said, 'left some points out there.' Hated that some series ended in [field-goal] tries and not TDs."

It may seem like nitpicking to rail about what the team didn't do after an impressive win, but it's the coach's job to point these things out and the quarterback's job to recognize and adapt.

In fact, it's nothing but a good thing the team looks at the negatives right away, even after a win. The little things such as the topic above will help the team win more games down the road.

Lewis Explains Two-Back Approach

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

It's an odd contest for the Bengals when Bernard receives 20 carries to Hill's 10 considering the smaller back seems to function more like a change-of-pace option to Hill's bell-cow usage.

Alas, turnovers can force a coaching staff's hand. According to Lewis himself, performance by both backs played a role in the surprise usage numbers for them.

Harvey provided some of the transcript: "Marvin Lewis says Bengals stuck with Giovani Bernard as a combination of Gio getting hot and Jeremy Hill's fumbles. Fumbles 'not part of his deal last year.'"

Hill's aforementioned fumble issues last year were a hot topic in an otherwise noteworthy campaign. It's something sure to crop up in the coming weeks. Pair it with Bernard's efficiency on the ground, and this rotation might not be as Hill-dominated as some would have guessed.

Either way, the fact the Bengals can go into workhorse mode with either back makes the team even more difficult for opposing defenses to prepare for on a week-to-week basis.

Geno Atkins: Interior Pressure Hurts Offense

Gary Landers/Associated Press

Atkins knows a thing or two about generating interior pressure. 

One of the league's best 4-3 defensive tackles has been nothing short of on fire over the course of the season's opening two weeks, exploding off the snap and bullying guards and centers on his way to quarterbacks.

After the win against San Diego, he spoke with Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer about the importance of his unorthodox pressure: "Atkins on what his pressure up the middle meant: 'It hurts the offense, makes it 3rd-and-long or transitions to fourth down.'"

Atkins is right on the money, of course. His consistent pressure up the middle not only accomplishes what he said above, but flushes the quarterback into the arms of edge defenders also pushing up the field.

With Atkins at full strength, Rivers is just the latest quarterback to encounter major issues in the face of the Cincinnati rush.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.