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CINCINNATI
First Half Results
INDIANAPOLIS |
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23.5
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Final
13 |
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| AFC Wild Card Playoffs | | |  | |
| 107 | CINCINNATI | 24.5 | | 108 | INDIANAPOLIS | -2 |
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| All Games | 10-5 | +5.6 | 8-7 | 6-10 | 22.8 | 11.2 | 348.0 | (5.6) | 1.6 | 21.5 | 7.6 | 359.1 | (5.5) | 1.6 | | Road Games | 5-3 | +3.7 | 4-4 | 1-7 | 18.7 | 9.6 | 323.0 | (5.3) | 1.4 | 18.6 | 8.2 | 340.6 | (5.3) | 1.5 | | Last 3 Games | 2-1 | +1.6 | 2-1 | 1-2 | 28.0 | 16.7 | 345.7 | (5.2) | 2.0 | 18.3 | 9.0 | 279.3 | (5.4) | 3.0 | | Dome Games | 1-1 | +1.7 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 13.5 | 6.5 | 270.0 | (5) | 0.0 | 18.5 | 6.5 | 418.0 | (5.8) | 1.5 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 22.8 | 11.2 | 19.6 | 30:32 | 31-134 | (4.4) | 20-31 | 64.1% | 214 | (6.8) | 62-348 | (5.6) | (15.3) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 22.8 | 11.4 | 20.6 | 30:18 | 27-112 | (4.2) | 22-36 | 62.4% | 243 | (6.8) | 63-354 | (5.7) | (15.5) | | Offense Road Games | 18.7 | 9.6 | 18.6 | 30:35 | 30-123 | (4.2) | 20-31 | 64.3% | 200 | (6.3) | 61-323 | (5.3) | (17.2) | | Defense (All Games) | 21.5 | 7.6 | 21.1 | 30:25 | 27-116 | (4.2) | 23-38 | 60.0% | 243 | (6.4) | 65-359 | (5.5) | (16.7) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 23.3 | 11.2 | 20.7 | 30:54 | 27-109 | (4.1) | 22-36 | 62.2% | 249 | (7) | 63-358 | (5.7) | (15.4) | | Defense Road Games | 18.6 | 8.2 | 20.2 | 29:25 | 26-97 | (3.8) | 23-39 | 60.5% | 243 | (6.3) | 64-341 | (5.3) | (18.3) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.1 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 13-5 | 39.8% | 1-0 | 53.8% | 3-78 | (27.6) | 2-27 | (10.9) | 6-51 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 13-5 | 39.7% | 1-0 | 48.8% | 2-53 | (24) | 17-2 | (8.5) | 6-52 | | Stats For (Road Games) | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 13-5 | 40.6% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 3-75 | (24.9) | 2-25 | (10.2) | 5-44 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.6 | | 13-5 | 36.7% | 1-1 | 52.6% | 3-70 | (25.5) | 2-14 | (7.5) | 7-55 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 1 | 0.6 | 1.6 | | 13-5 | 39.4% | 1-0 | 46.4% | 2-54 | (23.7) | 16-2 | (8.4) | 6-54 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.5 | | 13-5 | 35.2% | 1-1 | 50.0% | 2-44 | (22.2) | 2-18 | (9.5) | 7-53 |
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| All Games | 11-5 | +4.2 | 10-5 | 9-7 | 28.6 | 14.2 | 406.0 | (6) | 1.9 | 23.1 | 11.1 | 342.6 | (5.7) | 1.6 | | Home Games | 6-2 | +3 | 5-2 | 4-4 | 28.0 | 13.0 | 405.4 | (6) | 2.2 | 17.7 | 6.6 | 318.7 | (5.4) | 1.7 | | Last 3 Games | 2-1 | +1 | 1-1 | 0-3 | 17.0 | 10.3 | 295.0 | (4.9) | 1.7 | 20.7 | 14.0 | 286.0 | (4.7) | 1.3 | | Dome Games | 6-2 | +3 | 5-2 | 4-4 | 28.0 | 13.0 | 405.4 | (6) | 2.2 | 17.7 | 6.6 | 318.7 | (5.4) | 1.7 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 28.6 | 14.2 | 23.2 | 31:54 | 26-100 | (3.9) | 26-41 | 62.0% | 306 | (7.4) | 67-406 | (6) | (14.2) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 23.2 | 11.3 | 20.6 | 31:37 | 28-114 | (4.1) | 22-36 | 62.2% | 243 | (6.8) | 63-357 | (5.6) | (15.4) | | Offense Home Games | 28.0 | 13.0 | 23.6 | 33:42 | 30-124 | (4.1) | 24-37 | 63.4% | 281 | (7.6) | 68-405 | (6) | (14.5) | | Defense (All Games) | 23.1 | 11.1 | 19.3 | 28:06 | 26-113 | (4.3) | 20-34 | 59.0% | 230 | (6.8) | 60-343 | (5.7) | (14.9) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 22.8 | 11.4 | 19.9 | 30:36 | 28-114 | (4.1) | 21-34 | 62.2% | 236 | (6.9) | 62-349 | (5.6) | (15.4) | | Defense Home Games | 17.7 | 6.6 | 18.1 | 26:18 | 25-110 | (4.4) | 19-34 | 56.7% | 209 | (6.2) | 59-319 | (5.4) | (18) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.9 | -0.3 | 14-6 | 41.0% | 1-0 | 40.0% | 2-67 | (28) | 3-19 | (6.9) | 7-53 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 14-5 | 39.1% | 1-0 | 46.1% | 2-57 | (23.8) | 20-2 | (9.2) | 7-54 | | Stats For (Home Games) | 0.9 | 1.4 | 2.2 | -0.5 | 13-5 | 42.3% | 1-0 | 40.0% | 2-62 | (29.4) | 3-19 | (6.1) | 7-65 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.6 | | 13-4 | 33.2% | 1-0 | 23.5% | 2-37 | (22.6) | 2-13 | (6) | 6-54 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 1 | 0.6 | 1.6 | | 13-5 | 38.2% | 1-0 | 44.5% | 2-55 | (23.7) | 18-2 | (8.4) | 7-55 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.7 | | 12-4 | 30.0% | 1-0 | 10.0% | 1-27 | (24.3) | 2-10 | (4.2) | 7-57 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: CINCINNATI 19.4, INDIANAPOLIS 18.8 |
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| 11/6/2014 | CLEVELAND | 3-24 | L | -6 | L | 46.5 | U | 22-86 | 13-39-79 | 4 | 52-170 | 15-23-198 | 1 | | 11/16/2014 | @ NEW ORLEANS | 27-10 | W | 8.5 | W | 51 | U | 36-186 | 16-22-219 | 0 | 26-75 | 33-41-255 | 1 | | 11/23/2014 | @ HOUSTON | 22-13 | W | 3 | W | 44.5 | U | 43-139 | 24-35-233 | 1 | 19-64 | 21-45-184 | 1 | | 11/30/2014 | @ TAMPA BAY | 14-13 | W | -6 | L | 43.5 | U | 28-112 | 20-28-176 | 3 | 25-75 | 15-29-188 | 1 | | 12/7/2014 | PITTSBURGH | 21-42 | L | -3 | L | 47.5 | O | 21-86 | 25-35-322 | 2 | 31-193 | 25-39-350 | 0 | | 12/14/2014 | @ CLEVELAND | 30-0 | W | 2.5 | W | 43.5 | U | 45-244 | 14-24-103 | 1 | 17-53 | 10-18-54 | 2 | | 12/22/2014 | DENVER | 37-28 | W | 3.5 | W | 47 | O | 37-207 | 17-26-146 | 2 | 19-85 | 28-44-300 | 4 | | 12/28/2014 | @ PITTSBURGH | 17-27 | L | 3 | L | 48.5 | U | 29-116 | 27-38-221 | 3 | 18-29 | 24-39-317 | 3 | | 1/4/2015 | @ INDIANAPOLIS | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 11/16/2014 | NEW ENGLAND | 20-42 | L | -3 | L | 58 | O | 17-19 | 23-39-303 | 1 | 45-244 | 19-30-257 | 2 | | 11/23/2014 | JACKSONVILLE | 23-3 | W | -13 | W | 49 | U | 35-175 | 21-32-214 | 3 | 23-80 | 15-27-114 | 2 | | 11/30/2014 | WASHINGTON | 49-27 | W | -7.5 | W | 48.5 | O | 21-126 | 19-27-361 | 3 | 21-84 | 31-47-341 | 1 | | 12/7/2014 | @ CLEVELAND | 25-24 | W | -3 | L | 50.5 | U | 20-93 | 24-53-269 | 4 | 31-111 | 14-31-137 | 2 | | 12/14/2014 | HOUSTON | 17-10 | W | -7 | T | 49 | U | 28-110 | 18-34-168 | 2 | 41-137 | 13-25-152 | 2 | | 12/21/2014 | @ DALLAS | 7-42 | L | 3 | L | 53.5 | U | 10-1 | 30-44-228 | 3 | 40-127 | 19-21-250 | 1 | | 12/28/2014 | @ TENNESSEE | 27-10 | W | -7 | W | 46 | U | 30-64 | 23-35-314 | 0 | 24-142 | 13-31-50 | 1 | | 1/4/2015 | CINCINNATI | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | CINCINNATI: New offensive coordinator Hue Jackson has always leaned heavily on the power running game, and that figures to be the game plan this year. Jackson utilizes a lot of gap blocking, which should allow feature back Giovani Bernard to use his creativity as a runner. Rookie Jeremy Hill will likely push BenJarvus Green-Ellis down the depth chart. Jackson has historically kept the ground game going down near the goal line, and it appears as if Hill will be his top goal-line option. It wouldn't be a surprise if Bernard and Green-Ellis got some action down there too. Jackson also uses a lot of creative, gadget plays to attack the perimeter, and Bernard should be able to take advantage.
Jackson has pledged support for the often-overwhelmed Andy Dalton, but this passing game is going to be scaled back. The potentially improved running game should open things up for downfield throws, and Dalton's willingness to throw deep into traffic is essentially his only strength. A.J. Green will continue to do most of his work downfield on the perimeter, with Marvin Jones playing an expanded and similar role on the other side of the field. They'll go two tight ends often, with Tyler Eifert seen as a bigger catch-and-run threat than Jermaine Gresham, and Bernard being used frequently in the screen game. Green and Jones will be the primary red-zone targets when they throw, as both have the athleticism to win the jump ball.
The Bengals lost defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to Minnesota, but new DC Paul Guenther, promoted from linebackers coach, won't change much from an attacking unit that placed among the top-five defenses in points, yards and turnovers in 2013. FS Danieal Manning and rookie CB Darqueze Dennard are nice additions. | | INDIANAPOLIS: Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton's ground-and-pound power running game never got going last year, due in part to an offensive line in flux but mostly due to the atrociousness of Trent Richardson. It's a gap-blocking scheme that suits Richardson's skill set, and the third-year back may just need more time in the offense. The Colts get more run-heavy as they approach the goal line, and they had little success inside the opponent's 10 last year. Richardson will likely have a monster workload, especially from in close. Ahmad Bradshaw and Vick Ballard are both coming off major injuries as they battle for the No. 2 job. Bradshaw's receiving skills could give him an edge.
Hamilton and Andrew Luck are still finding their way in this offense, as they face a lot of third-and-longs early in games and often end up doing most throwing in comeback efforts. They'll move Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton and tight end Dwayne Allen around in formations to create mismatches, especially with Allen spending time in the backfield and flexed out. Coming off an up-and-down year as the primary TE, Coby Fleener will likely go back to stretching the seam now that Allen is healthy. Hakeem Nicks will stretch the field on the perimeter while Donte Moncrief serves as his understudy. Fleener was targeted most often when they threw in the red zone last season, but it could be Allen that receives those targets in 2014. Nicks could be in for a big red-zone role this season.
The Colts made great strides last year, and could again finish among the top-10 scoring defenses due to having the NFL's easiest schedule. It also helps to have outside linebacker Robert Mathis who led the NFL with 19.5 sacks. New DL Arthur Jones and LB D'Qwell Jackson will help, but losing safety Antoine Bethea hurts. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (CINCINNATI-INDIANAPOLIS) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(UPDATES with Green not practicing Friday and listed as doubtful in 12th graf.)
*Bengals-Colts Preview* =======================
By JOHN KOSIK STATS Editor
The last time the Cincinnati Bengals won a playoff game, Boomer Esiason was under center and handing the ball off to Ickey Woods.
Looking to end a postseason win drought that dates to that 1991 victory, Andy Dalton and Jeremy Hill will try to help the Bengals avenge their worst loss of 2014 when they visit the AFC South champion Indianapolis Colts for a wild-card matchup Sunday.
Cincinnati (10-5-1) endured its roughest patch of the season with a loss at New England, a tie against Carolina at home and an Oct. 19 visit to Lucas Oil Stadium that ended with the team's first shutout loss in five years, 27-0.
Indianapolis (11-5) limited the Bengals to 135 total yards, including 32 on the ground, sacked Dalton three times and forced Kevin Huber into a team record-tying 11 punts to earn the 500th victory in franchise history.
While Indy's unpredictable defense showed it's capable of a shutdown day, Andrew Luck and the offense also had a solid performance. Luck threw for 344 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and a trio of backs helped the Colts finish with 171 rushing yards.
"Man, there were a lot of problems," Bengals safety Reggie Nelson said to the NFL's official website. "We got beat and they got the best of us, so it's always good going back to a stadium, back to the scene of the crime."
Indianapolis, though, certainly would be wise to forget about that victory because Cincinnati is looking like a far different team than it did that day.
After the loss, the Bengals switched things up in the backfield by moving Hill ahead of Giovani Bernard on the depth chart, and they went 7-3 the rest of the way as their rookie runner flourished. Hill finished with 1,124 yards for the run-heavy offense, and his 441 in December were the most in the league in that span.
"We have a lot of respect for what they do," Luck said Wednesday of the Bengals. "They do a lot and they do it well. ... These guys do everything and do it with confidence and competence. It's a fun team to play."
Hill's emergence has helped take some pressure off Dalton, who has led Cincinnati to a 40-23-1 record in his four seasons but has played poorly while losing in the wild-card round in each of the first three. A loss against the Colts would tie Dalton with Warren Moon for most consecutive opening-round defeats by a starting quarterback.
"Winning in general is how quarterbacks are judged," Dalton said Wednesday. "If you win a lot in the regular season but you haven't won a lot in the postseason, then they're going to say that you couldn't do something."
Dalton would be helped by having his favorite target, but star receiver A.J. Green suffered a concussion in last Sunday's 27-17 loss at Pittsburgh. Green, who led the team with 69 catches for 1,041 yards, missed practice for the second time in three days on Friday. He is listed as doubtful and still hasn't been cleared to play or even fully practice. Green was also absent Oct. 19 and Cincinnati seemed lost without him.
Dalton still has tight end Jermaine Gresham and receiver Mohamed Sanu - both of whom had at least 56 receptions - but Hill's workload will surely increase if Green can't go.
Ben Roethlisberger had plenty of time to throw Sunday against a weak Bengals pass rush in a win that gave the Steelers the North title and gave Cincinnati the wild card. The Bengals, who had an NFL-low 20 sacks, need to get to Luck to have a shot at winning.
"Suppressing Andrew Luck is going to be kind of hard," Nelson said. "He always starts off kind of slow and the scary thing is, he can always get his team going."
While Luck has also thrived in the regular season, going 33-15 over his first three years, he has found some playoff success. Indianapolis beat Kansas City at home in the wild-card round last January before losing a divisional matchup at New England in which Luck was picked off four times.
Luck's overall season was his finest so far with a league-leading 40 touchdowns - one better than the man he replaced in Indianapolis, Peyton Manning - to go with other career bests in yards (4,761), completion percentage (61.7) and yards per pass (7.7).
Although he failed to hit the 300-yard mark in five of the final six games after doing it nine times over the first ten, Luck may be poised to break out against a defense that was ranked 20th with 243.0 passing yards allowed per game.
Cincinnati, however, was tied for third in the league with 20 interceptions and will try to stop a team that won five of its final six games and closed with a turnover-free performance in a 27-10 win at Tennessee.
The Colts should also get a boost after receiver Reggie Wayne said he'll be "100 percent" despite suffering a groin injury last Sunday. The veteran's 779 yards and two touchdowns were a nice complement to T.Y. Hilton's team-best 1,345 yards and seven TDs. Tight end Coby Fleener led Indianapolis with eight TD catches and also had over 700 yards.
"Do we want to take the next step? Yes," coach Chuck Pagano said Monday. "Do we want to reach the Super Bowl that's going to be played in Arizona? Yes. We're glad to be in (the playoffs), but (we're) never satisfied until we hoist (the Lombardi Trophy)."
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 6/2/2024 1:32:14 PM EST. |
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