This Sunday the Bengals attempt to break out of a serious funk with a home game against the New York Jets. Believe it or not, this will be the first Sunday home game for the Bengals this season as their other two homers were on Monday Night. A return home should be a plus for them as they face a team in similar disappointing disarray in the Jets.
The injuries are still there for the Bengals, but it is time to suck it up and overcome them, they are all over the league after all. Here are some keys to Sunday’s tilt that we feel are important for the Bengals to control if they want to break out of this 4 game losing streak and gain some momentum leading into Steeler week.
- Bengals Offensive Line – Big Willie should return this week, but they simply have to take better care of Palmer, I really think that the majority of Carson’s big mistakes happen when under pressure and if Levi Jones pulls that “human turnstile” move again this week Palmer could get hurt badly. The line also needs to open holes for Rudi and Kenny Watson.
- Leon Hall & Jonathan Joseph – These two young corners have to step things up this week facing two talented wideouts in Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles. Cotchery is the home run threat and Coles the steady vet and our young corners need to silence them this weekend.
- Bengals Pass Rush – I would love it if this week was the end for Chad Pennington. Not due to injury but due to ineffectiveness. Pennington is already on the hot seat with young gun Kellen Clemens poised to take over and if the Bengals can really put pressure on Pennington, he does not have the athletic ability to overcome it. Justin Smith actually had a sack and a half last week, lets see if he can get another.
Man, it sure is hard to pick this one. Everything points to a Bengals win at home against a club that is actually struggling as much as we are right now, but I still cannot do it.
Jets 31 Bengals 30
