Bengals vs. Broncos Week 2: Five Things the Bengals Must Correct After Losing

The Bengals' week two loss to the Denver Broncos wasn't an entirely awful game to watch.  Granted, there were definitely rough patches, but this young team continued to show a lot of potential.

Unfortunately, there are still many things that this team can fix in order to be more effective.  While everyone expected some growing pains from the rookies (though I've seen none thus far from Andy Dalton or A.J. Green), there are more aspects that need to be addressed.

For instance, you can't have your rookie quarterback constantly being rushed.  Allowing opposing receivers to make your defenders collide with each other won't help either.

If the Cincinnati Bengals can address these five issues, this team can win more games than experts are predicting.

5. Bad Penalties

There are bad times for penalties, and then there are worse times for penalties.

Somehow, it seems that the Bengals always find a way to commit penalties on very productive or important plays. 

Over the last couple games, I've watched Cedric Benson break off a couple ten yard runs, only to be brought back by a holding. 

I've seen the Bengals on defense and get a stop on third down, only to have a pass interference call.

Today, the worst one was a holding call on special teams that led to the Bengals having to run a two-minute offense beginning from their own five yard-line.  At this point in the ball game, these guys can't be committing silly penalties like that.

To be a good team, the penalties have to be cut down.

4. Improve the Offensive Line

Andy Dalton was only sacked twice against the Broncos, but he was under constant pressure.

Andrew Whitworth is often referred to as one of the more underrated left tackles in the league.  I see him as a very average, if not mediocre one.

The reason it may seem that way two weeks in is because Andy Dalton's primary target, A.J. Green, often lines up on that side of the field.  Therefore, he's looking in that direction anyway.

Andre Smith has been less than effective since being drafted in 2009, and after that the o-line is a big board of mediocre.  If the Denver defense applied any pressure at all, Dalton was hurried or Cedric Benson was stopped in the backfield.

This team needs help on the line to protect their young quarterback.  It may fall on deaf ears, but Shaun O'Hara remains a free agent.

3. Tighter Secondary Coverage

Leon Hall and Nate Clements are two of the better secondary athletes in the game today.  Unfortunately, the secondary was mostly ineffective in Sunday's loss.

Whether it was these two, Reggie Nelson or Gibril Wilson, the secondary was ripped apart by Kyle Orton and a string of average receivers.

Kyle Orton even threw a 52-yard touchdown in which Nelson and Clements collided, which allowed receiver Eric Decker to escape into the endzone. 

Most of the catches that Denver receivers made were completely uncontested.  Defenders were in the area, but nowhere near where the ball was headed.  If the secondary can apply more pressure to receivers, there is a better chance of making more defensive stops.

2. More Ambitious Play-Calling

During the second half, this wasn't really an issue.

In the first half—a half in which the Bengals put up three points—the play calling was rather conservative and safe by offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.  Benson ran heavily in the first half, and Andy Dalton only threw for 55 yards.

Plays down the field were non-existant, and the common passing play was a short dump pass to the closest man.  Those safe plays will not win ball games.

Last week, Bruce Gradkowski connected with A.J. Green for a 41-yard touchdown.  Sunday, Dalton connected with Jerome Simpson for an 84-yard gain from his own endzone, which led to a touchdown.

Will they work every time?  Absolutely not, but just trying them in the fourth quarter is not going to lead to a victory.  These plays need to be more abundant during Cincinnati ball games, and those explosive plays provide momentum and confidence to this young team.

1. Lose the Palmer Controversy for Good

This on-going soap opera with Carson Palmer is a big distraction to Cincinnati.  Just when I thought it was all over, another headline was posted on ESPN about how he's sticking to his guns.

Then stick to them, Carson.  Stick to them and stay away, because Andy Dalton just threw for close to 350 yards against Denver.  That was in game two as a rookie.

Coaches are being distracted, management is being distracted, and this leads to diminished focus on the team that has actually reported for duty.  Palmer's ordeal needs to escape the minds of everyone associated with the Bengals' organization.

Until that happens, this team will never be able to completely focus on the games that await them.