NFL Week 3: Cincinnati Bengals Offense Ready To Burst Against Carolina Panthers

The Cincinnati Bengals are an eighth into the season and exactly where most experts figured they would be...1-1.

The defense and special teams were destroyed in Week One. The offense sputtered along without a touchdown in Week Two, relying on five Mike Nugent field goals to bail them out. 

Both games have raised questions regarding one of the three phases of the game. The Bengals have yet to put forth a complete effort.

What's the best medication for this ailment?

The Carolina Panthers.

Matt Moore has already played himself out of a job after only two weeks of being the starter. Rookie Jimmy Claussen takes the helm for the 0-2 Panthers. He passed for 59 yards in relief during the fourth quarter last week against Tampa Bay in a 21-7 defeat.

The Panthers are ranked 28th in the NFL, scoring 12.5 points a game. Now they have a rookie leading the way. Offensive lineman Jeff Otah is listed as doubtful.

The offense is led by running backs DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart.

Stewart has ran for 397 yards and three TDs in past four home games. Williams has rushed for 770 yards and five touchdowns in his last eight games against the AFC. This needs to be the main priority for the Bengals defense.

The Bengals will be without Johnathan Fanene (hamstring) on the defensive-line. They will rely heavily on DT Domato Peko to clog the middle.

Stopping the run will cripple a Panthers pass attack that has a dangerous play maker in Steve Smith, but little else.

Smith does have 270 yards and a TD in two games against the Bengals in his career, but if Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph shut him down then Claussen will be in big trouble.

Third string running back Mike Goodson is second on the team with five receptions for 64 yards.

Adam "don't call me Pacman" Jones is doubtful in the secondary with a shoulder injury. So expect Morgan Trent to play in nickel situations.

Forcing guys like Dwayne Jarrett, Brandon LaFell and Dante Rosairo to make a big play should bode well for the Bengals.

If the Bengals can limit the explosive plays by Williams and Stewart, the defense will be in great shape. If the front four can pressure Claussen the way they were able to against Joe Flacco, the D might have another four INT afternoon.

The offense is the concern. Can the Bengals muster a few TDs against the Panthers 22nd rank defense

The offense needs to go back to the no huddle. The Bengals haven't utilized it enough and with the way this anemic unit has performed, give it a whirl.

Cedric Benson has yet to produce much for the Bengals after running for 1,251 yards last season. In two games this year he has averaged 3.2 per carry with 121 yards overall.

Part of the reason for his slow start is the lack of imagination of offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski. He is extremely predictable in his play-calls on first and second down. That led to a bunch of third-and-longs against the stout Ravens defense...not ideal.

Brat is a big reason the offense has yet to take off. Why not run the no-huddle and let Palmer make the calls. It's not like he's been in this offense for seven plus years now or anything.

Benson publicly addressed his feelings on Sirius Satellite radio this week. Setting up a more manageable third downs will do wonders for Benson. Expect a big game on the ground for Benson this week against the Panthers as he relives concerned Bengal fans. Don't forget he is in a contract year. The dollar signs have been dancing around Benson's much like that way he dances around potential tacklers.

The passing game has been a disappointment. The new toys for Carson Palmer are still getting adjusted to him. It's not time to panic but Palmer has looked quite inaccurate and sloppy through two games. He has only one INT, but have had about 3-4 interceptions simply dropped by the defense. Keep an eye on the accuracy of Palmer this week.

Terrell Owens will have better stats as the season goes on...but three catches on 11 passes thrown to him on Sunday isn't going to cut it. For the season Palmer has targeted Owens 24 times, with only 10 of them being caught. That's awful.

Jordan Shipley looks like he will be a part of the Bengals for a long time. He has been a great slot-reciever that seems to be an extremely reliable third-down option. Expect Shipley to be more involved in the offense this week. He is already averaging 62 yards a game.

Can't believe the all-time leading receiver at Texas dropped all the way to the third round.

Chad Ochocinco has been business as usual. He has 203 yards and a TD while running excellent routes. Chad's consistency over the years has really spoiled Bengal fans. He is still the No. 1 on this team and it's not even close.

And he is still taking 85 fans out to dinner when the Bengals play on the road.

Rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham has shown flashes of brilliance and has also had plays that remind you he is a rookie. He has nine catches for 40 yards and a TD. A great safety valve for Palmer to dump of to. But his blocking has been less than stellar. Keep watching Reggie Kelly, he is the guy you want to emulate to upgrade your blocking skills Jermaine.

Andre Caldwell has been missing in action. Not a bad thing to have a solid No. 3 fresh and healthy when the injury bug starts to bite.

Palmer will have to keep an eye on the Panthers saftey. Charles Godfrey is tied for the league lead with two interceptions.

Look for the Bengals to finally connect on a few deep balls to Owens and points will follow. The 29th rank passing defense of the Panthers will have its hands full.

While the Bengals offense has been put forth a piss-poor effort to this point, expect the Panthers to be the medication for their aliment.

Benson will go for over hundred yards, Owens will get a long TD, and Shipley will score his first TD as a pro. The defense will allow Williams to muster 100 yards on the ground. And Smith with collect another 100-yard effort against the Bengals.

The opportunistic Bengals secondary will cause plenty of havoc for the rookie Claussen. Expect at least two turnovers for the Panthers.

The depth of the Bengals will be the difference. The Panthers will get worn down in the second half and the Bengals will then run the ball down their collective throats.

Prediction: Bengals 24 Panthers 13