Bengals @ WFT postgame thread

[AnonEmouse]

I only caught highlights on Redzone and missed part of one play - did Apke miss a straight in his hands INT or did my eyes deceive me?

[Chief X_Phackter]

Originally Posted by AnonEmouse

I only caught highlights on Redzone and missed part of one play - did Apke miss a straight in his hands INT or did my eyes deceive me?

He did. Stone hands...

[skinsfaninok]

APKE THIS SEASON HAS A 54.9 COVERAGE GRADE...

WORST AMONG DB's on the team

[SunnySide]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

APKE THIS SEASON HAS A 54.9 COVERAGE GRADE...

WORST AMONG DB's on the team

I was disappointed that a rookie Qb was able to come in, read our D and then have his first option open for a quick throw and catch. Why were we giving Burrow soft coverage and underneath stuff?

Answer: Because Troy Apke was your starting FS with Kamren Curl.

While it wasnt pretty, and I think the Bengals would have made a game of things if Burrow didnt get hurt, the game plan worked. Give them the underneath stuff and protect Apke/Curl.

Yes Burrow went 22/34 but he only had around 200 yards passing and we somehow held them to 3/13 on 3rd down conversion. Watching the game, it felt like Burrow was on pace for 350 yds and 50% conversion rate.

Odd game to watch. Was ugly but you dont get extra points for style. This approach wont work against better talent and I dont feel good feeling like we eeked out a win vs the second worst team in the NFL.

We are a bottom 5 team who could be leading their division come Thursday night. What a strange state of affairs.

[Back2RFK]

Report says Burrow has a torn ACL & MCL.

[Chief X_Phackter]

I don't know. They were ranked 27th in the league in both total yards allowed and points allowed per game last year. This year they are ranked 6th and 10th respectively. I'd say they have improved, despite not having a normal offseason, minicamps, OTAs, preseason... That's quite a turn around 10 games into this season.

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by Chief X_Phackter

I don't know. They were ranked 27th in the league in both total yards allowed and points allowed per game last year. This year they are ranked 6th and 10th respectively. I'd say they have improved, despite not having a normal offseason, minicamps, OTAs, preseason... That's quite a turn around 10 games into this season.

I dont read too far into numbers. Never have. They do not tell the whole story. Like i said they did not improve as much as I would have liked. Maybe I expected too much. I hear you about lack of an off-season but that goes for every offense we have faced too so that is a wash. Honestly this year is weird. Next year we are going to see if the D is legit or not. Im not giving up by any means just expected more....

[MTK]

The D has definitely improved, I think it’s easy to forget how bad things were last year when they gave up big play after big play


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[sdskinsfan2001]

Originally Posted by MTK

The D has definitely improved, I think it’s easy to forget how bad things were last year when they gave up big play after big play

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This is true. We were terrible last year at every thing. The progress isn't mesmerizing but it's there. I thhik next year the improvement will be more tangible across the board on defense.

Chase Young hasn't been lined up at free safety this year, that alone is significant progress.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by MTK

The D has definitely improved, I think it’s easy to forget how bad things were last year when they gave up big play after big play


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It is funny because we are 3-7 and people say thst we haven't improved yet we are the number 1 pass defense and yeah stats aren't everything, but the offense rarely gives the defense a break. We are the ONLY team in the league that doesn't have any points on the opening drive of a game this year. The offense regularly puts in a dog shit performance in the first half and the defense ends up giving up points then has to shut teams down in the second half (which they usually do) i saw a stat a couple weeks ago that said we had only given up 10 points in the 3rd quarter up to that point. My point is if the offense was more consistent in putting points on the board, the defense would get more of a rest and it would be obvious how much they've improved

[Chico23231]

Dline...Holcomb..CB’s.fuller and Darby have been awesome

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

Dline...Holcomb..CB’s.fuller and Darby have been awesome

I'm not sure about the Dline part, they disappeared in some games when we needed them.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by GridIron26

I'm not sure about the Dline part, they disappeared in some games when we needed them.

U think so? I think Pass rush has been good. Pressure to force ball out quick...we’ve seen much less big pass plays as well vs years past. We get sacks and hits on QB.

I think our run d by line has been good in some games, but in others when the offense has doesn’t stay on the field they gotten worn down. There was also no good run stop LB play until Holcomb stepped on field.

I don’t it’s been perfect and don’t think we have reached elite level, but I think everyone can see improvement. It’s a def a top 10 dline, probably just outside top 5.

Give it another year in the system and add a MLB...we move into top 5

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

U think so? I think Pass rush has been good. Pressure to force ball out quick...we’ve seen much less big pass plays as well vs years past. We get sacks and hits on QB.

I think our run d by line has been good in some games, but in others when the offense has doesn’t stay on the field they gotten worn down. There was also no good run stop LB play until Holcomb stepped on field.

I don’t it’s been perfect and don’t think we have reached elite level, but I think everyone can see improvement. It’s a def a top 10 dline, probably just outside top 5.

Give it another year in the system and add a MLB...we move into top 5

Good points.. There is definitely no question the defense improved from last year.

[DYoungJelly]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

U think so? I think Pass rush has been good. Pressure to force ball out quick...we’ve seen much less big pass plays as well vs years past. We get sacks and hits on QB.

I think our run d by line has been good in some games, but in others when the offense has doesn’t stay on the field they gotten worn down. There was also no good run stop LB play until Holcomb stepped on field.

I don’t it’s been perfect and don’t think we have reached elite level, but I think everyone can see improvement. It’s a def a top 10 dline, probably just outside top 5.

Give it another year in the system and add a MLB...we move into top 5

This is a great point. The improvement has been dramatic.

Seriously, start listing the guys in the back half of the D who we have been relying on and knew we would have to rely on. Apke, Everrett, Curl, Bostic, Davis, KPL, and Moreland have all played significant snaps in crucial situations.

What sort of expectations should one have with those guys? We all knew who those guys were going in. No surprises really.

The players who did surprise was Collins and Moreau who were bad this year.

Chico is right on the money, there is significant empirical improvement. It's not an elite D, but it's a heck of a lot better than it was.

Opponents 3rd down conversion percentage:
2019 48.9% Rank 32

2020 38.64% Rank 9
https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/sta...conversion-pct

Defense DVOA:
2019 Rank 27th
https://www.footballoutsiders.com/st...m-defense/2019

2020 Rank 6th
https://www.footballoutsiders.com/st...m-defense/2020

Opponents Yards Per Play (for you gamblers)
2019 5.7 Rank 21

2020 5.1 Rank 7th
https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/sta...ate=2020-11-26

We're a few players and a little bit of injury luck from being a very good to elite defense.