11-01-2017, 08:07 AM
(11-01-2017, 12:02 AM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: The Jacksonville Jaguars are a far better team in 2017 than the Cincinnati Bengals. This is obvious but all is not lost because there is one proven way to beat a better team:
Knock the stuffing out of their quarterback.
When the Bengals beat the Broncos in 2014 and beat the Patriots in 2013 it was because Mike Zimmer put extreme pressure on Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Similarly, Blake Bortles will have to be hurried, hit, or sacked on every drop back.
Cincinnati does not have the Zimmer pass rush anymore. Against Jacksonville it will take some blitz packages to put Bortles on the turf and this means releasing Vontaze Burfict from his usual role as a run stopper when the defensive line can’t stop the rush at first contact. He’ll have to get into the backfield and disrupt plays.
The Bengals’ defense will have to win this game. The other side of the ball can’t score enough by themselves to even beat the Colts.
I agree but I'm really worried they are just going to on the field for too long and that will eventually wear the D down. I can see us keeping it close and then eventually giving up a big play late in the 3rd/4th to kill the game.
Jax is the sort of team built to win time of possession and they'll happily give Fournette the ball multiple times in a row (assuming he's fit) and keep the game out of Bortles hands.
That combined with plenty of 3 & outs from our Offense causes problems
That's the pessimistic view....the good news is that we really have a healthy rotation going on the DL and DB and I think that's is going to have to be fully utilized on Sunday!!
