Biggest Takeaways from Cincinnati Bengals' Week 2 Win
It's hard to imagine a better start to the season for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Andy Dalton led the team back home after a Week 1 victory in Oakland and took care of business against the San Diego Chargers, 24-19. He threw three touchdowns with no picks, securing a goose egg in that department for the second week running while gaining another in the sack column, too.
The defense pitched in against the able AFC foe as well, sacking Philip Rivers four times, forcing two fumbles and an interception.
While Cincinnati isn't unfamiliar with a 2-0 start, it is with this degree of health and performance in all aspects ahead of a Week 3 showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.
Within, let's compile some of the biggest takeaways from Sunday's triumph before the critical AFC North showdown.
Marvin Lewis Can and Will Make Changes at RB...
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Bengals coach Marvin Lewis didn't hesitate to yank starting back Jeremy Hill from the game Sunday and let him watch from the sidelines as Giovani Bernard ran wild.
Granted, Hill left the game early with an injury, but he seemed ready to return and did in sporadic fashion before finishing with just 10 carries. The issue? Two fumbles after a rookie campaign in which the blemish was the main talking point surrounding Hill's future.
After the game, Lewis told ESPN.com's Coley Harvey that Hill's benching was a combination of things: "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.'"
With plenty of chances, Bernard posted a superb outing, rushing 20 times for 123 yards. He consistently found his way to the second level and made defenders miss, extending drives.
This is nothing but good news. Hill won't remain in the doghouse forever, but the ability to feature either back in a major way or split up the time creates preparation nightmares for the opposition and helps the Bengals against strong defenses—such as the Baltimore unit they face next.
...And the Offensive Line Will Perform Well Regardless
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It doesn't seem to matter who acts as the bell-cow back—Andrew Whitworth and Co. will put on a show in the trenches.
The offensive line didn't have many issues silencing the potent tandem of Khalil Mack and Aldon Smith in Week 1, nor did Melvin Ingram and Kyle Emanuel pose much of a threat Sunday.
Clean pockets led to lengthy touchdown passes for Dalton against the Chargers, something the team simply lacked one season ago when guys such as Andre Smith were out with injuries.
On the ground, Sunday was proof enough the offensive line can help bulldoze down the middle with Hill in the backfield, or it can get to the outside and barrel down the field into linebackers and beyond when Bernard breaks free.
No matter what the coaching staff decides to do, Whitworth and Co. seem game as one of the league's best and most cohesive units. When defenses like Baltimore await, the Bengals can move forward with a strong semblance of confidence the offense will be able to execute.
Andy Dalton Taking Care of the Football
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Part of the reason the offensive line performing at such a high level is great news is that it better helps Dalton take care of the football by giving him more time to make decisions. Of course, the impressive number of options he has on each snap helps, but keeping the jersey clean goes a long way in helping any signal-caller.
Through two games, Dalton has no interceptions and only a few questionable throws. He overshot two touchdown passes against San Diego, but those sort of unreachable mishaps are much preferred to interceptions by comparison.
Keeping the offense on the field works wonders for a team, including the ability to stifle the opposing team's offense. Whether it's Baltimore, the Pittsburgh Steelers or some other team, Dalton's methodical, efficient approach looks better than usual with two games down.
Dalton didn't have any interceptions through the first two weeks of last season but threw just two scores. The difference? A healthy, potent set of weapons.
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Offense Continues to Expand in All-Inclusive Ways
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Dalton was all about spreading the love Sunday with San Diego in town.
No receiver saw more than five targets on the day, with tight end Tyler Eifert and wideout Marvin Jones seeing five apiece. Eifert had 49 yards and a score, Jones 48 and a score. A.J. Green posted three grabs for 45 yards and a score of his own.
Giovani Bernard also caught three passes to show off his versatility, and in an amusing twist, offensive tackle Jake Fisher came down with one catch good for 31 yards.
The takeaway? These Bengals are explosive and can hit a defense in a new area each week. Eifert's presence over the middle helps. Jones being healthy and a reliable target on the edges does, too.
Against a defense that held Calvin Johnson to two catches in the season opener, the Bengals rattled the Chargers early and often with the number of weapons capable of inflicting serious harm. It's encouraging and a sign opponents have serious preparation work to do each week.
Defensive Pressure Remains a Constant
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Make it six sacks in two games for the Cincinnati defense after just 20 in 2014 over 16 games.
The difference is one Geno Atkins, who last year looked sluggish at best after an offseason of rehab due to a knee injury. This year, the star defensive tackle is all systems go and a notable force on most downs. It helps that Michael Johnson made his return after a brief dip to free agency, too.
Regardless of the reason, the Bengals forced two fumbles and had four sacks, and pressure influenced a game-clinching interception late. When a line can force this much pressure without the unit as a whole sending extra bodies, it makes the job of everyone easier.
Disruption, both of the traditional and unorthodox up-the-middle variety, isn't easy to come by. When a defense can present both with consistency, it leads offenses to mistakes and shortened drives.
Look for Atkins and Co. to keep up the consistency next weekend in Baltimore.
Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
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