It wasn't that long ago that the Cincinnati Bengals looked like they would be right in the thick of things when it comes to AFC elite teams. Injuries and a defense that hasn’t played well recently have caused the Bengals to stagger some lately. The Indianapolis Colts have gone from a struggling team to one that’s playing well on offense and defense during their current four-game winning streak.
Colts reporter Mike Wells and Bengals reporter Coley Harvey discuss the matchup between the two teams on Sunday.
Wells: A.J. Green is obviously Andy Dalton’s go-to receiver. His foot injury is a big blow to Cincy. Do the Bengals think this is an injury that will impact him all season and how are they handling his absence?
Harvey: Yes, Green is lauded as the top receiver in the Bengals’ rotation, Mike, but in all honesty, he isn’t the only go-to receiver Dalton has. Entering last week’s game, he was tied for the team lead in receptions with Mohamed Sanu, a former third-round pick who has emerged as a dependable replacement for Green. Last week, with Green sidelined due to a toe injury, Sanu caught 10 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. In addition to Sanu, running back Giovani Bernard has factored into the passing game, as has tight end Jermaine Gresham. But even if the Pro Bowler Green were healthy, the Bengals still would be spreading the ball around. As offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said earlier this week, this is an offense that relies on using its many pass-catching weapons. Here’s how you can see that: Four players had four or more receptions in Sunday’s 37-37 tie with the Panthers.
As for the injury, yes, the Bengals are anticipating this being an issue for Green all season. The only question is how well he can manage the pain the rest of the year. With Cincinnati having already had its bye, you could see the Bengals getting creative with the balance of playing him and giving him time off the rest of the season.
Indianapolis' defense has been quite impressive this season, registering 16 sacks and forcing nine turnovers during the Colts' winning streak. What are the Colts doing so well to bother opposing offenses?
Wells: The turnaround on defense has been pretty amazing. The Colts have gone from wondering how they would get by without linebacker Robert Mathis (suspension/Achilles) this season after Week 2 to now dominating their opponents. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky deserves a lot of the credit for using a scheme that allows for a lot of blitzing. But in order for the Colts to be able to load the box and send heavy blitz packages, they need strong play from the secondary. That’s what they’re getting. Cornerback Vontae Davis is living up to the expectations put on him after signing a lucrative contract during the offseason. Fellow cornerback Greg Toler, when he’s not getting called for illegal contact, has been solid as well. As defensive lineman Cory Redding put it recently, the defense is “playing guns blazing.”
Cincinnati’s defense got off to a strong start. What has happened to that unit the past few weeks?
Harvey: If I could give you a complete answer on that, Mike, I might have a new job (on the Bengals’ staff) before nightfall. This has been the No. 1 question hovering over this team the past two weeks. In the first three games, the Bengals' defense allowed a league-best 11 points per game. In the past two games, though, the unit has allowed 80 points and 367 yards rushing. Two weeks ago the Bengals struggled against a New England offense that couldn’t get anything going in a 41-14 loss at Kansas City the week before. This past Sunday, they were unable to stop a Panthers offense that showcased the most designed quarterback runs it has had all year. Cam Newton had 17 carries for 107 yards, with many of them coming off read-option plays. While Andrew Luck doesn’t run as much as Newton, it will be interesting to see how much he carries the ball against this Bengals defense. This season, the Bengals have allowed quarterbacks to pick up an average of 41 yards on the ground per game. If the Bengals continue struggling closing down the alleys that have given them trouble as pockets break down, Luck might have his way with them.
One of the areas the Colts did struggle with defensively last week at Houston was in slowing down running back Arian Foster. This week, they’ll be facing Bernard and Jeremy Hill, two backs who finally appear to be clicking in Cincinnati’s offense. What type of emphasis will be placed on Indy shoring up its run defense this week?
Wells: I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but the Colts did a good job against Foster despite giving up 109 yards rushing to him. You’re probably scratching your head at that comment. That’s because Foster went into last week’s game averaging 150 yards a game in five career games against the Colts. Last week was the first time this season that the Colts have given up a 100 yards rushing to a player. I’m sure the coaching staff has pointed out Bernard’s 137 yards against Carolina last weekend. The Colts can’t afford to have Foster’s game turn into something bigger going forward. Indianapolis was 26th in the league in stopping the run last season. It's improved to 14th in the league in that category this season.
Andy Dalton will be judged by how well he performs in the playoffs. But there’s no denying how well he’s played so far after signing his new deal. Do you get a sense that this is the season that Dalton leads the Bengals to at least one victory in the playoffs?
Harvey: I’ve been saying since the offseason that I do believe this is the year the Bengals finally win at least one game in the playoffs. The main reason I feel that way is because they now have an offense that won’t abandon the run and try to put the game all on Dalton's shoulders. That's been the problem in recent postseason games, including last season's. Yes, after a while, the Bengals got behind and were forced into passing, but they got away from the run far quicker last January against the Chargers than they should have. That won’t be the case with Jackson. Combine that with the fact Dalton -- who has struggled on big stages in the past -- actually looked good in his lone nationally televised game this season, the Bengals shouldn’t have to worry about how well he’ll play if they make the playoffs. Again, what they need to be concerned about now, though, is their defense.
Why has T.Y. Hilton emerged as the Colts' pass-catching star? How has his emergence affected the way Reggie Wayne is used?
Wells: Colts coach Chuck Pagano joked that Hilton's having success because he's invisible to the defense since he’s so small and fast. Wayne isn’t going anywhere. He’ll continue to be the security blanket Luck turns to when he’s scrambling and looking for an open receiver. Wayne mentioned earlier this season that he knows he’s no longer the player who will beat a defender for a 50-yard reception. Hilton is Luck’s playmaker now. He’s got eight plays of at least 20 yards. You can expect more of the same from Hilton as the season progresses because he’ll get a lot of single coverage due to the number of offensive weapons the Colts have in Wayne, receiver Hakeem Nicks, tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener, and running backs Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw.
