BENGALS @ SAINTS
Jason Barbin
As the playoffs draw closer, two teams in the hunt for a spot and desperate for a win go head to head in week 11. The Cincinnatti Bengals (5-3-1) visit the Superdome in New Orleans (4-5) in a game that is vital for both teams and their playoff chances. The Bengals are coming off a demoralising loss to division rivals Cleveland, a game that quarterback Andy Dalton would like to forget. The much criticised signal caller stunk it up throwing for barely 86 yards at a completion rate of 30% and a passer rating of 2.0. The Saints on the other hand gave up a 51 yards reception to Michael Crabtree on a 4th and long and it cost them at home to the 49ers in overtime.
Based on each teams stats, it seems like this game could be one sided, but we all know just how much stats can mean on game day. The Bengals need to bounce back and with the hopeful return of dual threat running back Giovani Bernard, this offense gets a much needed boost. With star wide receiver AJ Green shaking off the rust after missing with injury and the emergence of Mohamed Sanu (648 yards, 4 tds), Dalton has no excuse to be poor again and he looms as the most important player to watch in this game.
In the past, this Bengals defense was one of the most feared in the NFL, but this season they have looked lackadaisical at times. But this defense still has plenty of talent and will be a handful for Sean Payton and Drew Brees. With star linebacker Vontaze Burfict hopefully returning from injury, he adds a toughness to this defence that has looked weak at times. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap leads a team that only has 13 sacks on the season with 4.5 while Strong Safety George
Iloka has 3 picks.
For the Saints offense, it’s hard to be critical. We all know how good Drew Brees and this offence is. They are third in the league in passing yards (304.8) and with the breaking out of Mark Ingram (551 yards, 6 tds), the Saints have added a potent running game to their offensive arsenal. Their offensive line has been competent, only allowing 14 sacks all season and Tight End Jimmy Graham looks more dangerous every week.
The Saints defence has always been their weakness. Rob Ryan has been criticised all season for some of the defensive plays he has called and rightly so. This defense is not talentless. Linebacker Curtis Lofton has been a pillar up front with 82 tackles on the season (8th in the NFL) while fellow linebacker Junior Galette and Defensive End Cameron Jordan have 11 of the teams 21 sacks between them. The secondary is the weakpoint of the Saints defence and it’s something Green and Sanu will be looking to exploit in this matchup.
I can’t see Cincy blowing out the Saints but I can see the Saints blowing out Cincy. Normally the Saints are very hard to beat in Louisiana but after last week’s loss, they are vulnerable. Expect a tough grinding game with both defenses put to the test. Saints should just get over the line though.
NEW ORLEANS by 10.