The Armchair Quarterback: “The Cardiac Cats” are again

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The Cincinnati Bengals just retain finding inventive the way to win. Sunday towards Miami changed into no exception. We dissect the victory over the Dolphins and the concerns dealing with the group forward.

via simply five games of the 2018 season, this has develop into one of the vital memorable seasons in recent Bengals background. Comeback wins and explosive plays have been the norm, which is a stark distinction to the past two seasons.

listed below are one of the most large takeaways from the Bengals' 27-17 surprising win over the Dolphins.

This team by some means continues to get it finished:

For essentially the most half, the Bengals' offense has been carrying the crew this yr. This became above all evident in Weeks 2-four, regardless of a 2-1 list. bound, the protection got here through with a the video game-successful fumble restoration and touchdown in Week 1 and that they confused Joe Flacco on Thursday night, however they didn't internet a turnover against the Panthers nor did they against the Falcons.

Then, this previous Sunday, neither the offense or the special groups gadgets had been pulling their weight. An uncharacteristic pink zone interception from Andy Dalton, a blocked box intention and relentless drive given up via the offensive line made for tough sledding towards the Dolphins defense.

Did we mention that a should still-have-been lower back-backing punt return landing become given up right before the halftime gun?

however, "no concerns", mentioned Bengals protective coordinator, Teryl Austin. His crew stepped up in an enormous way, logging two defensive touchdowns off of turnovers, as well as an further interception.

His name and reputation had been dragged during the mud over the last couple of weeks, however his unit identified the want for them to be the catalyst to a win and they stepped up. The talent on all three degrees of the defense showcased itself with "ancient man" Michael Johnson developing with arguably the biggest play of his NFL profession and the infant in the back of him on the depth chart, Sam Hubbard, grabbing his first career touchdown.

lower back in 2009, the club changed into dubbed "The Cardiac Cats", given their knack for coming lower back in dramatic approaches in opposition t fine clubs. eleven years later, the moniker is once again apropos.

The ethical of the story? Even when it appears the bleakest this year, we shouldn't count the Bengals out of any video game. And, if the Bengals can gain knowledge of to always play solid football in all three phases of the online game each contest, look out.

a constant A.J. green versus Chad Johnson debate:

This offseason, we counted down the appropriate 10 Bengals avid gamers in the Marvin Lewis era and there turned into exceptional debate on the positioning of one of the vital names. in keeping with what we had yet to see from A.J. green this season (AKA an exquisite five-video game stretch), we had him No. 2 and Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson at No. 1 during the last 16 years.

earlier than this spectacular beginning to the season from eco-friendly, it changed into effortless for some to point to eighty-five as "the man" in Lewis' renaissance of the Cincinnati Bengals. besides the fact that children, with eco-friendly's franchise-record thirty second 100-yard receiving video game logged on Sunday, his dominance simply can't be denied.

In truth, it's a difficult argument to have a facet on, as both have been first-rate players and both were very diverse receivers. I believe it's reasonable to say that eco-friendly has a bit greater on his aspect in the approaches of "uncooked ability", as he has three inches of peak on Ocho and just seems as if he can do a bit bit greater as a receiver than Chad.

still, younger Bengals fanatics without difficulty overlook Johnson's big-play means, his insane route-operating competencies and brief ft that would have rivaled Antonio Brown's. but, green has been greater productive in huge games and either owns or is nipping at Johnson's heels for most of the massive franchise receiving data.

Regardless, both will rightfully garner hall of repute consideration. We'll let eco-friendly say a little bit extra on the discipline.

Teryl Austin's seat cools down:

Going into this offseason, Austin's identify in fact had some NFL head teaching buzz. as an alternative, he turned into introduced in as a part of an overhaul to Lewis' underlings.

exhilaration became high with the hiring because of his aforementioned reputation and preaching of turnovers and other big performs on protection. despite the fact, it's been a mixed bag via five games this yr.

Austin's unit failed to net a turnover in Weeks three and four, whereas the Bengals had a non-coincidental 1-1 record within the span. As outlined above, the Bengals obligatory a spark from the defense and numerous players on Austin's unit rose to the occasion.

Let's be sincere: the sub-header above is a little tongue-in-cheek, as Austin wasn't really in situation of dropping his job this yr. nonetheless, his group mandatory a huge efficiency this week.

His neighborhood is a work in progress, given the new faces and inflow of adolescence at many other spots. there'll inevitably be some rough patches in the days forward, however as guys like Hubbard, Jordan Willis, Jessie Bates III, Andrew Billings, Carl Lawson and others continue to integrate themselves into the video game plans, we should still see vast growth later within the 12 months.

a big day for a good man:

apart from Russell Bodine, it's challenging to point to a much bigger Bengals fan-favourite whipping boy than Michael Johnson in recent years. It's a disgrace, in fact, given the indisputable fact that he's No. 6 on the group's all-time sack leader listing, coupled with the vast neighborhood impact he's had in his 9 years within the Queen city.

however, as changed into the case with Austin and John Ross the previous few weeks, it become tremendous to peer Johnson make an enormous play to get people to appreciate his ability set as soon as once again. sure, he may also have a bit of Lewis' "Robert Geathers' Lifetime achievement Award" vibe, in terms of his latest roster reputation, however No. 90 still offers price on defense.

It wasn't simply the massive prefer-six, both. He had an enormous handle-for-loss within the comeback and, although he's misplaced a step, his rotating in with others makes for an effective front.

And, in case you're all in on Hubbard (which is understandable), guess the place he offers credit score?

a distinct perspective and mantra from the 2018 Bengals:

From an inside standpoint, AKA longtime fans and/or the media participants within the better Cincinnati area, a four-1 birth and in the style they've achieved it offers all and sundry the theory that here is a much distinct teams than different Lewis' squads that have in any other case flopped. even if it's striking onto a big lead, profitable a latest-2nd thriller, or coming returned from a 17-factor 2d half deficit to win, the environment across the club appears distinct.

Don't simply ask the Who Dey trustworthy, although. once the Bengals all started to mount their comeback within the type of a Joe Mixon landing reception, even CBS sideline reporter, Steve Tasker, observed a change.

For years, Tasker has been concerned in CBS NFL telecasts, with lots of his assignments being Bengals games. while it could be a trivial component, Tasker automatically noticed a unique demeanor on the Cincinnati sideline, because the Bengals surged to a comeback.

"I've accomplished a number of their video games. this is a crew that, even after that landing (Mixon's 18-yard reception), they slapped hands, however's a very critical sideline. It modified to very enterprise-like after that first field purpose—it's a different emotion on the Cincinnati sideline than we've seen in years previous. A a lot more emotional and collectively neighborhood between sequence."

good satisfactory for me, Steve.

The offensive line is skating on skinny ice:

we can element to the primary factor during this week's "Armchair Quarterback" for this one, when it comes to the Bengals getting it performed, despite definite situations. nonetheless, even with 4 new starters(basically 5, together with Trey Hopkins) from ultimate yr, issues aren't a whole lot better via 5 weeks this yr.

Cordy Glenn has been a nice acquisition, but chinks within the armor have shown the previous three weeks towards speed rushers. in the meantime, Alex Redmond remains a legal responsibility at correct guard and Bobby Hart has been going via his respective usaand downs.

Billy cost should be returning about midseason from a foot damage, however Cincinnati has selections to make at correct safeguard, and perhaps center, upon his return. Regardless, Clint Boling has predictably been the rock of the unit at left defend.

just like the different facets of the Bengals' team this year, the offensive line has only one actual terrific, all-around online game beneath their belts. Cincinnati's huge uglies up entrance will should be greater stable if the team goes to make a viable playoff push.

Geno Atkins is foolish decent—even in his ninth season:

If there was any situation with the Bengals giving extensions to Atkins and Carlos Dunlap this summer season, it become in "Father Time" probably having his impact on two begins on the inaccurate side of the age of 30. Given the begins to the 2018 season for each stars, they've managed to stave off decline.

Atkins has six sacks through five video games and leads all indoors linemen in that class and in quarterback pressures. even with the protection's issues, No. ninety seven is there to count on for continual impact performs.

Joe Mixon and Vontaze Burfict are the catalysts to the crew:

sure, there are more proficient players on their contraptions (A.J. eco-friendly, Geno Atkins), but the spark plugs of the team are with Nos. 28 and fifty five. Mixon is the man charging down the sidelines to celebrate the touchdowns of others, while Burfict quietly knocks down the defense's aspects per online game standard.

After averaging the allowance of a regular of 28 aspects per game the primary four contests, Burfict returns and suddenly Austin's neighborhood lets up simply 10 features to a three-1 crew.

coincidence? possibly. but, seeing other players run up to Burfict for pre-snap read confirmations on Sunday tells me in any other case.

As for Mixon, neatly, his 117 all-intention yards per online game this season communicate for itself. but, his sideline demeanor additionally remains infectious to his teammates:

The genuine exams coming the next two weeks:

seem, I think we can all be ecstatic about the delivery for the 2018 Cincinnati Bengals after the 2016-2017 seasons. ultimate 12 months, Cincinnati started 1-3, together with the giving up of a 17-factor lead towards the Packers at Lambeau field.

This 12 months, they pulled a latest-minute win out of their rear ends against the Colts, had the video game almost in hand from the get-go towards Baltimore, greatly surprised the high-flying Falcons (yes, that's a time period that you may use for a 1-4 team, in accordance with its offense) on their domestic turf, and got here from behind to beat a three-1 group.

however, "they haven't received the large one", correct?

within the next two weeks, Cincinnati hosts Pittsburgh and then travels to face the currently-undefeated Chiefs. even with what you at present feel of Indianapolis, Baltimore, Atlanta and/or Miami, the Bengals have a large dragon to slay subsequent Sunday.

Ever given that the Bengals charged to a 12-4 list in 2015 and their subsequent embarrassment on countrywide tv within the Wild Card circular towards Pittsburgh, they've been in a tailspin. As of December 13th, 2015, the Bengals are a chocking 0-6 in opposition t the Steelers. They have been 3-6 within the previous 9 contests within the Dalton era in opposition t their arch-nemeses.

no matter if it's to be taken seriously from a countrywide viewpoint, legitimizing what they've carried out thus far and/or constructing their self belief, beating the Steelers could be large for this group.

And, bear in mind 2003? A then-9-0 Kansas city group traveled to Cincinnati for a superb AFC matchup. The Bengals shocked the Chiefs and began a run that essentially resulted in a postseason berth in Lewis' inaugural season as the crew's head educate.

This yr's Chiefs crew is much more formidable than that of sixteen years ago. Patrick Mahomes can't locate a means to lose, as Andy Reid has efficiently moved on from the Alex Smith period.

If Cincinnati can go 1-1 in these next two video games, ideally with a win against the Steelers for AFC North purposes, this season will continue to seem to be special.