The wheels keep rolling on the Bengals wagon, and the Steelers hit some new heights

Article by Gordon Dedman

The man of the weekend has to be Ben Roethlisberger. OK you say, the writer is a Steelers fan so that was pretty obvious? Compare the fact please. Andy Dalton played against a poor Browns team and managed 220 yards with two touchdowns while Roethlisberger had his fourth straight 300-yard game with four touchdowns and I rest my case.

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

Cleveland’s backup quarterback Travis Davis had no touchdowns and one interception while Cincinnati’s Dalton threw two touchdowns with no interception. The difference was obvious. Davis was chased all over the field by the Bengals defense, while Dalton was supreme behind an offensive line that gave him time to find his receivers.

The Browns defense appeared to be playing in slow motion allowing Dalton to take advantage as his offense excelled for a 37-3 win that advanced the Bengals to 10-2 for the first time since 1975.

While under pressure, Davis was penalised twice for international grounding as he sought desperately to find open receivers that were not there while his interception led to a Cincinnati field goal.

"Part of being a professional is showing up to work when things are tough and when there is adversity," said Browns tackle Joe Thomas. "We will find out the character of our teammates moving forward." And before you know it, Johnny Manziel is named as the starter for next weekend.

Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins

Ending a streak of five straight losses to the Ravens, Miami managed to grind out a 15-13 win. The Dolphins managed only eight first downs as quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw for just 86 yards, but they held onto a 15-point lead built in the second quarter before Baltimore came up short with their fightback.

Ravens quarterback Matt Schaub threw for 308 yards, but his two interceptions led to both of Miami’s scores as the offense struggled to reduce the deficit.

Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers

Will this game be remembered for the post touchdown celebration of Antonio Brown when he was penalised for, “using a goalpost as a prop?” That was the polite way the referee addressed the 15-yard penalty after Brown had jumped onto the goal post after he had returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown.

Hopefully, it will be remembered for the dominance that Ben Roethlisberger found using the plethora of available weapons. Calling the game for NBC was Al Michaels and towards the end of the broadcast, as the Steelers lined up with goal to go, he said, “Pick your poison.”

The toxic offense that Roethlisberger had available for the Steelers 45-10 win against the Colts can be compared to that of Cincinnati, so watch out for next weekend’s preview when the division leaders host the Steelers.

 

AFC North contenders set for busy Week 13

Article by Gordon Dedman

Cincinnati Bengals (9-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-9)

The Browns backup quarterback Austin Davis, who led two impressive drives in the team’s loss to the Ravens last Monday, has been named as their starter for the Bengals game.

Davis becomes the 24th name on the list of starting quarterbacks for the Browns since 1999 and will have to face the division leaders for his easy debut. The Bengals will relish the short journey to Cleveland and Andy Dalton will be thinking it’s a great opportunity to shine against a poor Browns defense.

After their commanding win last week against the Rams, the confidence in the Bengals camp will be high and a +6 turnover ratio compared to the Browns -3 is a good indication of their current fortitude.

 

Baltimore Ravens (4-7) at Miami Dolphins (4-7)

With their backup quarterback Matt Schaub at the helm, the Ravens managed a last second win over the Browns last Monday. Not much to shout about, but it gave Baltimore’s flagging season a lift.

As with most teams now the season is almost two thirds gone, Miami has its own injury problems. The Dolphins fired their head coach Joe Philbin after their 1-3 start to the season. Now, after losing their last two games, the Dolphins have replaced their offensive coordinator.

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill was enthusiastic about the new coordinator Zac Taylor, who was promoted from their assistant quarterbacks coach. That could be the spark this game needs as Tannehill will be given the opportunity to call audibles. “I’m excited about the step we’re taking,” Tannehill said.

 

Indianapolis Colts (6-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) Sky Sports 01:30 Monday

Last year I was lucky to be at this matchup. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 522 yards and six touchdowns setting franchise records. For the Colts, Andrew Luck contributed 400 yards passing with three touchdowns.

Luck won’t be playing this weekend as he hasn’t returned from injury, but in the 17-year veteran Matt Hasselbeck, the Colts have a capable backup. Last week Hasselbeck joined Warren Moon and Brett Favre as the only quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era to win at least three consecutive starts after their 40^th birthday.

For the Steelers, there is still a question mark over Ben Roethlisberger playing. He was cleared for practice Wednesday, so it looks like he will play. The Steelers need him to as it is essential they win to improve their wild card playoffs chances.

Indianapolis also require a win to maintain their position at the top of the AFC South, so an intense game should ensure and it will be who holds their nerve the best that comes out triumphant.

 

 

 

Cleveland find a new way to lose, as the Bengals roll on, and Steelers lose ground

Article by Gordon Dedman

Even though he didn’t get on the field, Johnny Manziel has to be the headline man of the weekend. Being promoted to and then losing the Browns starting quarterback job ensured he made all the headlines for the wrong reasons.

When the injured Josh McCown was replaced by Austin Davis Monday night, the Dawg Pound made their feelings known with their boos. They want Johnny Football to lead their team while he does everything to leave them in the dog house.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks

Seattle’s quarterback Russell Wilson and Roethlisberger combined for over 800 yards passing in a shootout that saw the lead change seven times. Roethlisberger threw for 456 yards, the most ever for a quarterback against the Seahawks, but the Steelers managed to lose 30-39.

For the Steelers, Markus Wheaton hauled in 9 catches for 201 yards and one touchdown. For the Seahawks, Doug Baldwin caught 6 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns while Wilson achieved a 147.9 rating throwing five touchdown passes as he found the flaws in the Steelers defense.

As a precautionary measure, Roethlisberger left the field with two minutes remaining after being checked by the team’s doctors who were not satisfied he should return to play.

St. Louis Rams at Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals never looked in trouble in this contest and scored on their opening drive to take an early lead they were never likely to relinquish. After a two game skid, Andy Dalton is now back in business as his offensive line provided the protection that didn’t give up a sack for the first time since mid-October.

After holding a 17-7 lead at the half, Dalton threw two touchdown passes in the third period before a scoreless final quarter. The Bengals 31-7 victory gave them a 9-2 record for the first time in 40 years.

Dalton finished with three touchdown passes, two to A.J. Green and one to Tyler Eifert while their defense contributed a score with Leon Hall’s interception returned for a touchdown. Eifert leads the NFL with 12 touchdown catches.

"I felt like we played well in all phases of the game," Dalton said. "It's good to get a win, and it's good to get a win the way we did."

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns

On paper, this game gave the impression of being a bore, but in a real thriller it saw the Browns turn victory into defeat on the final play as their field goal attempt was blocked and returned 64 yards by Will Hill to give the Ravens a 33-27 triumph.

Led by Matt Schaub, Baltimore raced to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter while Cleveland was always playing catch up. When Davis came on midway through the final period for McCown, who had a broken collar bone, he directed the scoring drive that tied the game 27-27 with less than two minutes remaining.

After the Ravens were stopped with Tramon Williams’ interception, Davis marched his team downfield with the cheers of the Browns fans echoing around the stadium urging him on. Davis provided the opportunity for Travis Coons to kick a 54-yard field goal for the win, but Brent Urban elevated himself high enough for the block to give the victory to Baltimore.

 

Ravens win to stay alive, and the Bengals slip again

Article by Gordon Dedman

After a torturous season that had produced only two wins, Joe Flacco led the Ravens to a third, but at what price? The season ending injury he suffered makes him the headline man of the weekend in the division as Baltimore now seek to complete 2015 without their star quarterback.

Flacco’s streak of 122 consecutive starts, which was the fifth-longest in NFL history, will come to an end next week.

St. Louis Rams at Baltimore Ravens

Case Keenum made a rare start in the NFL when the Rams decided to go with him as their quarterback replacing Nick Foles, who had started the previous nine games.

Baltimore missed a 51-yard field goal in the first quarter providing St. Louis good field position. Aided by a pass interference infraction that placed the ball on their opponents 10, the Rams Todd Gurley finished for the Rams with a 1-yard touchdown run.

 

In a bad tempered game that saw the Ravens give up 137 yards in penalties, putting points on the board was always going to prove difficult. For Baltimore, when Justin Forsett went off with a fractured arm in the first quarter, it became even more challenging.

The Rams led 13-3 going into the final period, but the Ravens defense stepped up and after a Gurley fumble, Flacco seized the opportunity to reduce the deficit with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Kamar Aiken. On their next possession, the Ravens tied the game with Justin Tucker’s 20-yard field goal.

With the likelihood of overtime looming, Keenum fumbled for the third time, presenting Flacco the chance to get into field goal range for Tucker to kick a 47-yard field goal to win the game 16-13.

For Baltimore, the loss of their quarterback spells big trouble. His experience had helped his team through a difficult season and without him, Forsett and Steve Smith, they surely will be looking at a high draft pick.

After the game, it emerged that Keenum suffered a concussion and it may have contributed to his final fumble that potentially cost his team the game. The fact that Keenum wasn’t taken out of the game will be a point for concern.

Cincinnati Bengals at Arizona Cardinals

Like two heavyweight boxers slugging it out, the Bengals and Cardinals exchanged blows during four rounds of fifteen minutes.

Cardinals Carson Palmer was hoping to prove a point against his former team, but with two interceptions in the first quarter, he handed the initial momentum to Cincinnati. While Palmer struggled in the first half, the Bengals created twice as many offensive yards as their opponents while building a 14-7 lead.

When Palmer eventually found his feet, he redressed his failings with some superb pinpoint passes, including a touchdown completion to rookie J.J. Nelson of 64 yards. In a wild third quarter, Palmer threw three touchdown passes while the Bengals were on the canvas producing minus one yard of offense.

Finding themselves on the ropes and 14-28 behind, the Bengals showed their character by fighting back in the final period to tie the game with just over a minute remaining. Using their hurry up offense to good effect, Palmer led his team into winning field goal range before an unusual penalty reduced the distance of the field goal attempt.

Cincinnati were penalised for unsportsmanlike conduct for simulating signals, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis called it a "phantom call," but television clearly showed some verbals from his defense.

Cardinals Chandler Catanzaro’s field goal from 32 yards gave Arizona the knockout blow and both teams now sit with 8-2 records. Palmer also edged the points verdict, finishing with a rating of 111.2, compared to Dalton’s 99.8.

Bengals look to get back on track against a known foe

Article by Gordon Dedman

Cincinnati Bengals (8-1) at Arizona Cardinals (7-2)

The game will see Carson Palmer, who spent eight years with the Bengals, facing the not so new kid on the block Andy Dalton, who took over from Palmer when he left Cincinnati under a cloud, failing to turn up for training camp.

There is still acrimony regarding Palmer quitting on the Bengals and this game could become a real gritty battle as the revitalised Cardinals quarterback tries to prove a point.

 

Adding spice to the game is Arizona’s coach Bruce Arians. The former Steelers offensive coordinator posted an 11-5 record last season with the Cardinals. Those eleven wins tied a Cardinals franchise record for the most wins in a season and Arians would love to improve on that record.

The Bengals were unlikely to go through the season unbeaten and this game will show how effective they are in rebounding from last week’s defeat. They have escaped a few close games with wins, but for the first time this season, Dalton did not throw a touchdown pass, contributing to the loss. He will need to be on top of his game if the Bengals are to get back on track.

Arizona has the top ranked offense in the NFL and last week beat division rivals the Seattle Seahawks to take a three game lead over last year’s AFC representative in the Super Bowl. Palmer can use his experience to guide the Cardinals to a win.

 

St. Louis Rams (4-5) at Baltimore Ravens (2-7)

The Rams will be striving to improve their record in the AFC West, while the Ravens will be attempting to restore some pride into their season. In a game that is “Much ado about nothing”, the Rams will want to continue their battle for the playoffs, and that might prove to be the difference.

The season ending injury to Steve Smith has thrown the spotlight onto Kamar Aiken who finds himself as the Ravens primary receiver. His NFL career has been an up and down roller coaster as he was cut six times before joining the Ravens’ practice squad during the 2013 season. Two years later, Aiken finally has the opportunity to make an impression.

The Ravens promoted former Browns running back Terrance West from their practice squad onto their roster while placing their veteran center Jeremy Zuttah on injured reserve. Zuttah will have surgery on a partially-torn pectoral muscle and joins fifteen other Ravens on IR.

Patriots stay unbeaten in dramatic finish; Bills and Dolphins edge wins

Article by Dean Wright

New England Patriots 27-26 New York Giants

 

Along with Bengals and Panthers, The Patriots entered into Week 10 undefeated and were facing an opposition in the New York Giants, who they have not beaten in play since 2008.

Although not a great game by the Patriots standards with them trailing by 10 points in the third quarter and trailing also twice within the fourth quarter, the Offense pushed and clawed to achieve a game winning field goal winning drive to make Stephen Gostkowski become the NFL’s leading kicker ahead of Adam Vinatieri.

The New York Giants fought well and looked good except for the final minutes of the game where they just could not close the game out.

Beckham Jnr was thought to have won the game for the Giants with a touchdown to make the score 29-24 with just over 2 minutes left to play, but Malcom Butler knocked the ball clear before Beckham could get both feet down to make a completed catch. Although at first it was ruled a touchdown, after review the judgement was overruled.

Even with Eli Manning hitting a career high 251 yards in the first half and the Giants being the dominant team for a good proportion of the game its was Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski who shone through after completing his longest career touchdown with a 76 yarder.

With a close but vital win for the Patriots there was still bad news in the form of  Julian Edelman who was taken off the field with a broken bone in his foot which will see him side lined for 6-8 weeks

 

Buffalo Bills 22-17 New York Jets

 

It was a game that Buffalo Coach Rex Ryan knew would be where all eyes were on him and his strategy as he faced his old team the New York Jets. Equally for Jets Coach Todd Bowles who was trying to show the old guard how it’s now done in New York.

All that being said it was not a very pretty game to watch with many dropped balls and fumbles and all in all some terrible play calls including Bills Punter Colton Schmidt’s missed catch while deep in their own half.

The Bills came out on top with their running game against a Jets weak defense. The Bills managed to rush 148 yards in the game and that is the most the Jets have given up all year.

Both teams looked a little shaky more times than they should have and even though both teams are still in the hunt for AFC playoff places it’s fair to say a lot of things need to improve. Rex Ryan took the win but it was in no way as dominant as he would have liked and it can be fair to say that Bowles either felt robbed or lucky that the gap in the win wasn’t bigger.

 

Miami Dolphins 20-19 Philadelphia Eagles

Eagle QB Sam Bradford was taken out of the game with a left arm injury which was later discovered to be a AC joint sprain halfway through the third quarter while the Eagles led the Dolphins 16-13 and the Eagles then failed to close the game out when replacement Mark Sanchez only gained small yardage and then threw an intercepted ball into heavy play with under five minutes to go. Also Sanchez disappointed when he failed to drive for a game winning field goal with enough time remaining on the clock.

The Dolphin's defence applied plenty of pressure to both Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez plus keeping Demarco Murray in check by limiting him to only 61 yards from 23 carries it was clear that the defence was the difference between the two teams.

The Dolphin’s Ndamukong Suh finally hit some good game numbers with eight tackles, three QB hits, three tackles for a loss and a sack which was praised by his team mates.

At 4-5 and only one game out of a playoff spot in the AFC, the Dolphin’s still need to improve offensively if they want to make the grade and give the fans what they have yearned for such a long time.

On a side note it was great to see Jay Ajayi back in action. With 48 yards gained in just 6 carries, it will be great to see what this young guy can bring to a team who is starting to get its sparkle back.

Steelers win a thiller but Big Ben struck down again

Article and photos by Gordon Dedman

With only two games being played in the division that saw Cincinnati beating Cleveland and Pittsburgh taking the win over Oakland, the headline man of the weekend can only be Antonio Brown who set franchise records with 17 catches for 284 yards, including one that set up his team's winning field goal.

 

Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers

After a ding dong battle between the two old rivals, the Steelers victory came at a price as they lost their leader Ben Roethlisberger to injury for the second time this season.

 

Roethlisberger was the catalyst as Brown's 284 yards and De'Angelo Williams combined 225 yards created Steelers history with two players eclipsing 200 yards from scrimmage in the same game. 

When Coach Tomlin's gamble on a fourth and four on the Steelers first drive failed, the Raiders took advantage of the good field position presented to them. After a 44-yard run by Latavius Murray and a 22-yard touchdown completion by Michael Crabtree, Oakland took an early 7-0 lead to stir the home fans into full voice.

 

The teams then exchanged leads before the Steelers held a 21-14 half time advantage at the half on the back of two touchdowns from Williams and two field goals from Chris Boswell. But it was Brown's 180 receiving yards for the first thirty minutes that told the story as the Steelers quarterback and receiver had reignited their successful partnership again.

Oakland's quarterback Derek Carr led his team on a 90-yard scoring drive midway through the third quarter to tie the game. With the game all even as it entered the fourth period, both teams fought valiantly to force the win. 

A Williams run of 53 yards was the backbone of a Steelers touchdown drive that put them in front and an Oakland fumble on the ensuing kick off, recovered by Pittsburgh on their opponents six yard line, saw the Steelers increase their margin with rookie Jesse James' first touchdown catch in the NFL. 

As Oakland staged a comeback, the intensity increased with both teams turning the ball over and with Roethlisberger limping off with his injury. Carr and the Raiders kept their poise and with touchdowns from Jamize Olawale and Michael Crabtree made the game all-square at 35-35. 

With Steelers backup quarterback at the helm Landry Jones and 1:15 left on the clock, there were not as many fans as usual leaving early. Landry's lob of 57 yards to Brown, gave the receiver a franchise record and set the Steelers up for a game winning field goal.

 

After the game, Antonio Brown was asked if the franchise records supersede the win, he replied, “I’m extremely blessed. The most important thing is that we’re a team at the end of the day.” While Roethlisberger was absent with his previous injury, Brown had reportedly been making noises about the lack of passes going his way.

Roethlisberger registered his 40th 300+ passing yards game and past Baltimore Colts Johnny Unitas on the all-time passing list. The Steelers will find it difficult to replace him when he decides to retire.