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7 things to watch: Rams vs. Bengals
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_fce914ae-d580-53bc-8b3d-d283822bd29b.html
RED RIFLE IS HAVING A CAREER YEAR
Bengals QB Andy Dalton started against St. Louis as a rookie in 2011, but for the vast majority of Rams, this will be their first time facing the two-time Pro Bowler. The former TCU star is in the midst of a career year with a passer rating of 104.0, 20 TDs, and just five INTs. His passer rating trails only Carson Palmer (108.6) and Tom Brady (107.4) in the NFL. With 262 yards against the Rams, he’ll join Peyton Manning as the only QBs in league history to throw for 3,000 yards-plus in each of their first five NFL seasons.
GREEN MEANS GO
When it comes to elite receivers, A.J. Green has been one of the league’s standard-bearers since taken fourth overall in 2011. He has made the Pro Bowl every year since entering the NFL, and is well on his way to a fifth Pro Bowl berth and a fifth 1,000-yard receiving season. His combination of size (6-4, 207), speed, and athleticism make him a matchup problem for all in the NFL. And it looks like the Rams will be minus one of their starting cornerbacks, Trumaine Johnson, with a thigh injury Sunday.
REST OF THE BUNCH
What makes the Bengals extra tough to defend is the multiple options in the passing game. Yes, Green remains the go-to guy, but the return to health of Marvin Jones has made it tougher for opposing defenses to gang up on Green. After missing the entire 2014 season with ankle and foot injuries, Jones has become a productive No. 2 receiver (39 for 515). Former Rutgers star Mohamed Sanu (6-2, 210) provides another big target. Don’t be surprised if the Bengals try to pick on Marcus Roberson, Johnson’s replacement.
THE EIFERT TOWER
Sorry Gronk, the best tight end in the NFL may be Tyler Eifert, an imposing target at 6-6, 250 who leads the league with 11 TD catches — already a single-season record for a Bengals TE. In case you haven’t noticed, the Rams have had trouble covering tight ends lately. Lesser lights Crockett Gillmore (five for 101) and Zach Miller (five for 107) have topped 100 yards receiving the past two weeks against them. Part of the problem could be that SS T.J. McDonald doesn’t appear to be moving as well after missing the Minnesota game with a foot injury.
MISSING QUINN
Although he’s listed as questionable with a hip/back injury, Rams defensive end Robert Quinn didn’t practice all week and it will be very surprising if he plays against the Bengals. The biggest issue among a series of injuries for Quinn is a back injury; in fact, it’s reaching the point where the Rams may consider shutting him down for the season. Although far from non-existent without him, the Rams’ pass rush simply doesn’t pack as much punch. Quinn hasn’t been the same since the Green Bay game Oct. 11.
GROUND TO A HALT
With defenses ganging up on Todd Gurley and injuries taking their toll on the offensive line, the running game hasn’t been nearly as effective lately. After averaging 141.5 yards per game and 6.4 yards per carry in his first four NFL starts, Gurley has averaged only 66.7 yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry in his last three outings. So basically, his production has been cut in half. The Rams have been working on some new wrinkles in their run game this week; we’ll see if they bear fruit against Cincinnati.
BATTLE OF THE “THREE-TECHS”
The Rams’ Aaron Donald and the Bengals’ Geno Atkins are arguably the game’s top “three-techniques,” the defensive tackle position that showcases quickness and penetration. With seven sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 24 QB pressures, Donald is on pace to have a better year statistically than in 2014, when he was NFL defensive rookie of the year. Atkins, a three-time Pro Bowler, has seven sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 10 QB hits. He’s a matchup challenge for sure against a Rams interior that starts Demetrius Rhaney and Cody Wichmann at guard.
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• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_fce914ae-d580-53bc-8b3d-d283822bd29b.html
RED RIFLE IS HAVING A CAREER YEAR
Bengals QB Andy Dalton started against St. Louis as a rookie in 2011, but for the vast majority of Rams, this will be their first time facing the two-time Pro Bowler. The former TCU star is in the midst of a career year with a passer rating of 104.0, 20 TDs, and just five INTs. His passer rating trails only Carson Palmer (108.6) and Tom Brady (107.4) in the NFL. With 262 yards against the Rams, he’ll join Peyton Manning as the only QBs in league history to throw for 3,000 yards-plus in each of their first five NFL seasons.
GREEN MEANS GO
When it comes to elite receivers, A.J. Green has been one of the league’s standard-bearers since taken fourth overall in 2011. He has made the Pro Bowl every year since entering the NFL, and is well on his way to a fifth Pro Bowl berth and a fifth 1,000-yard receiving season. His combination of size (6-4, 207), speed, and athleticism make him a matchup problem for all in the NFL. And it looks like the Rams will be minus one of their starting cornerbacks, Trumaine Johnson, with a thigh injury Sunday.
REST OF THE BUNCH
What makes the Bengals extra tough to defend is the multiple options in the passing game. Yes, Green remains the go-to guy, but the return to health of Marvin Jones has made it tougher for opposing defenses to gang up on Green. After missing the entire 2014 season with ankle and foot injuries, Jones has become a productive No. 2 receiver (39 for 515). Former Rutgers star Mohamed Sanu (6-2, 210) provides another big target. Don’t be surprised if the Bengals try to pick on Marcus Roberson, Johnson’s replacement.
THE EIFERT TOWER
Sorry Gronk, the best tight end in the NFL may be Tyler Eifert, an imposing target at 6-6, 250 who leads the league with 11 TD catches — already a single-season record for a Bengals TE. In case you haven’t noticed, the Rams have had trouble covering tight ends lately. Lesser lights Crockett Gillmore (five for 101) and Zach Miller (five for 107) have topped 100 yards receiving the past two weeks against them. Part of the problem could be that SS T.J. McDonald doesn’t appear to be moving as well after missing the Minnesota game with a foot injury.
MISSING QUINN
Although he’s listed as questionable with a hip/back injury, Rams defensive end Robert Quinn didn’t practice all week and it will be very surprising if he plays against the Bengals. The biggest issue among a series of injuries for Quinn is a back injury; in fact, it’s reaching the point where the Rams may consider shutting him down for the season. Although far from non-existent without him, the Rams’ pass rush simply doesn’t pack as much punch. Quinn hasn’t been the same since the Green Bay game Oct. 11.
GROUND TO A HALT
With defenses ganging up on Todd Gurley and injuries taking their toll on the offensive line, the running game hasn’t been nearly as effective lately. After averaging 141.5 yards per game and 6.4 yards per carry in his first four NFL starts, Gurley has averaged only 66.7 yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry in his last three outings. So basically, his production has been cut in half. The Rams have been working on some new wrinkles in their run game this week; we’ll see if they bear fruit against Cincinnati.
BATTLE OF THE “THREE-TECHS”
The Rams’ Aaron Donald and the Bengals’ Geno Atkins are arguably the game’s top “three-techniques,” the defensive tackle position that showcases quickness and penetration. With seven sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 24 QB pressures, Donald is on pace to have a better year statistically than in 2014, when he was NFL defensive rookie of the year. Atkins, a three-time Pro Bowler, has seven sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 10 QB hits. He’s a matchup challenge for sure against a Rams interior that starts Demetrius Rhaney and Cody Wichmann at guard.
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