Cinicnnati Bengals: 10 Reasons Why the Bengals Will Beat the Buccaneers
The Bengals have played like the Bengals of old the last two weeks.
A extremely sloppy win over the Panthers was followed by an embarrassing upset loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Now they sit at 2-2, just like the majority of the NFL. Are they destined for mediocrity? Or are they still a work in progress.
It remains to be seen but a Week 5 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should provide some relief to what ails the Bengals.
Here are 10 reason why the Bengals will move to 3-2 by 4pm on Sunday afternoon.
1. Carson Palmer Dominates the NFC
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Palmer has a 7-2 record at home against the NFC in his career, with 19 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 95.0 passer rating.
The concerns with his elbow remain, but throwing for well over 300 yards last week did silence some of his critics. The Bengals pass offense currently ranks sixth in the NFL.
2. Cedric Benson Needs to Get Paid!
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It's a contract year for Benson and you better believe he isn't satisfied with the 3.3 yards per carry he has posted in 2010. He has 80 carries for 262 yards and two TDs
Some of it has been poor blocking, some of it has been bad play calling, but Benson needs to play better. Hit the hole harder and don't hesitate.
Benson should play well against the fifth-worst team against the run as the Bucs are giving up an average of 4.8 yards per carry. The Bucs allow 141.3 rushing yards per game.
It's time for Benson to show the rest of the NFL why he deserves a fat pay day.
3. Andre Smith Is Finally Healthly
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Last year's first-round pick Andre Smith seems like he finally will be a productive member of the Bengals. He played 21 of a possible 58 snaps on Sunday.
That's his career high.
For the first time in his professional career, Smith is healthy.
He was an outstanding run blocker in college and the Bengals are hoping that he can help an average Bengals running game.
"I like the positive steps he's taken. I like how he's grown up as a man and as a pro, and that's a good thing," coach Marvin Lewis said. "The team wants him to succeed; he has advocates who want to see him succeed."
The O-Line play has been suspect of late; having a productive Smith would be a huge boost.
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4. Terrell Owens Is Getting Comfortable in the Offense
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Terrell Owens exploded for 10 catches, 222 yards and a touchdown last week against the Browns.
He ran deep routes, slant routes, and even a beautiful curl route.
Owens has been officially practicing with Palmer for over two months now. The chemistry between the two continues to get better as Palmer learns to trust T.O.
While I don't expect another 200-yard day, look for T.O to be the main target for Palmer if Chad Ochocinco continues to get double covered.
5. The Bucs Can't Run The Ball
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Cadillac Williams started the season as the main back for the Bucs. After averaging 2.2 yards a carry for the first three games, the Bucs decided they needed some help.
They decided to sign LeGarrette Blount off the Titans practice squad.
So the Bengals will be playing against a running back that is not only a rookie, but a player that has only been with the team for three weeks.
Advantage Bengals.
6. Josh Freeman Has Never Faced Stout Bengals Secondary
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Freeman has won four of his last six starts, but had a rude awakening in his last game against the physical AFC North.
The Steelers manhandled Freeman and Co. and the results were a 38-13 beatdown.
Expect the Bengals secondary to shadow the mediocre Bucs receivers all game long. The Bengal linebackers have the speed to stay with the slow footed receivers and the Bucs will have to work extremely hard to collect a big play.
Leon Hall is in a three-way tie for the league lead in interceptions with three and has a pick in three straight games.
7. Defensive Line Will Play Better
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The D-Line has been atrocious so far. They are last in the league with a whopping three sacks. That's 46.67 attempts for every sack.
That is awful.
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer called out the unit this week to the media. Maybe that is the necessary fire needed to light the fuse.
Antawn Odom has been nonexistent so far. What happened to the guy that had five sacks in one game last year?
The absence of Jonathan Fanene (hamstring) for the fourth straight game hurts. But look for the front four to pressure Freeman into making a lot of decisions on the run.
If they can't apply pressure Freeman has the ability to shred the Bengals defense with his legs.
8. Mike Nugent Has Been Terrific
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Mike Nugent has been the Bengals MVP through four weeks. That's a problem for the Bengals but certainly not Nugent's fault.
Nugent is 10 of 11 on field goals and had a string of nine straight ended with a second-quarter block last week in Cleveland.
His extra motivation will be that Nugent began last season as a member of the Bucs.
9. Bengals Are Embarrassed after Last Weeks's Shocking Defeat
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The Bengals had their eight-game winning streak against the AFC North snapped by the last-place Browns.
The offense looked better than ever in '10, but the team continued to shoot itself in the foot.
Penalties, a blocked kick and two fumbles are a recipe for disaster. The Bengals watched the tape all week and let the anger brew.
The defense let Peyton Hillis run out the clock, while the offense sat on the sidelines watching.
Now it's time for the Bengals to unleash their frustrations on a unsuspecting Bucs team.
10. 3-2 Sounds a Whole Lot Better Than 2-3
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With the bye week following Sunday's game, the Benglas know they need to go in on a positive note. The schedule only gets more difficult and the time is now to beat teams they should beat.
The Bucs are a surprising 2-1, but nobody thought they had a chance against the Bengals when the season started.
The Bengals need to set the tone early by running the ball with Benson. Set up 3rd-and-shorts and allow Palmer to have a variety of options. Don't force him into the 3rd-and-longs that have seemed to plague the offense to this point.
Get more pressure on the QB and give the secondary a chance to make some plays.
The spread is Bengals -6.5 and I think the Bengals will cover.
Prediction: Bengals 24 Bucs 16
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