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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARI at JAX | BAL at SD | CAR at ATL | CIN at GB | CLE at DEN | HOU at TEN | IND at MIA | MIN at DET |
| NE at NYJ | NO at PHI | NYG at DAL | OAK at KC | PIT at CHI | SEA at SF | STL at WAS | TB at BUF |
Week 2 Game Recap: Cincinnati Bengals 31, Green Bay Packers 24
Cincinnati Bengals
| QB Carson Palmer, Pass: 15 - 23 - 185 - 3 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 2 - 1 - 1 |
Palmer looked more comfortable in the pocket this week and again showed that arm strength isn't an issue. All three of his touchdown passes were well designed plays that Palmer executed perfectly. He hit Laverneaus Coles on a great play action fake, connected with Chris Henry in the back of the end zone after an audible to reset his pass protection and hit Chad Ochocinco in stride on a slant. However, Palmer was more inconsistent than his numbers against the Packers would suggest. His accuracy was off at times and a terrible decision on a second and long throw was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. As he did last week against Denver, Palmer improved as the game progressed.
| RB Cedric Benson, Rush: 29 - 141 - 0 |
The Bengals elected to attack the Packer 3-4 front with power running formations. Benson got off to a strong start behind sets with six offensive linemen or two tight ends and a fullback. While the offensive line opened big holes on many of his longer runs, Benson often made the most of little opportunity. He showed good footwork and patience when needed, ran out of arm tackles and finished his runs falling forward. The Bengals chose to continue to ride him hard out of the base offense, only rarely spelling with Bernard Scott. Benson continues to come off the field in passing situations.
| RB Brian Leonard, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (2 targets) |
With DeDe Dorsey released last week, Leonard is firmly entrenched as the third down back and was again effective as an outlet option and on a screen play on passing downs.
| RB Bernard Scott, Rush: 2 - 7 - 0 |
Scott saw more time this week, but still can't be considered more than a rare change-of-pace back. Cedric Benson had 29 of the team's running back carries against the Packers and Scott didn't get a carry until Benson had already run the ball 20 times. Scott did line up wide in one of the team's rare spread sets, but isn't likely to get many more snaps if Benson remains as effective as he's been.
| WR Chad Ochocinco, Rec: 4 - 91 - 1 (7 targets) |
Ochocinco was quiet during the first half. He was rarely targeted and not in sync with Palmer on a deep route in which he ran a post while Palmer threw a fade and had another target broken up on a pass thrown slightly behind him after he'd gained a hint of separation on a slant pattern. After a long completion on a flea flicker, Ochocinco and Palmer connected more often and Ochocinco got his chance at a Lambeau Leap after a nice slant catch and run from inside the 20 late in the game. Despite the slow start, Ochocinco was Palmer's most targeted receiver.
| WR Laveranues Coles, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 2 - 9 - 1 (3 targets) |
Coles had only two receptions against the Packers, but both were key plays. The first catch was a sure-handed third down grab and likely an important catch to settle his mind after a number of dropped passes last week. The second reception was a TD catch after he quickly gained separation on a play action fake inside the five. Coles got the bulk of the snaps opposite Chad Ochocinco in two wide receiver sets, but gave way to Chris Henry in some three wide receiver looks. Coles also had one rush attempt on an end around.
| WR Andre Caldwell, Rec: 2 - 16 - 0 (2 targets) |
The Packer fire zones had Caldwell covered well, but both of his targets were in high leverage situations, including a crucial third down catch in which he fought through tackles for a first down.
| WR Chris Henry, Rec: 1 - 5 - 1 (3 targets) |
Henry was only marginally more involved this week than last. He did see more snaps this week, however, and the Bengals did make more of an effort to get the ball to him downfield, though not successfully. Henry's touchdown catch was a familiar one, a high pass he snatched out of the air in the back of the end zone on a slowly developing cross.
| TE Dan Coats, Rec: 2 - 26 - 0 (4 targets) |
Coats took a screen pass for a long gain on third and 23 but fumbled during the play, something that also plagued him during the preseason. He also missed a catchable pass on the goal line that would have been an easy touchdown.
Green Bay Packers
| QB Aaron Rodgers, Pass: 21 - 39 - 261 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 4 - 43 - 0 |
Rodgers and the Packer passing game were hurt early by dropped passes, then struggled to get on track late due to the frequent pressure allowed by the offensive line. When given time, Rodgers moved in the pocket well and hit his receivers in stride. He spread the ball to three of his four of his primary wideouts as well as both tight ends and Ryan Grant. He was hit often and sacked six times, however, which kept him from finding any consistent rhythm. Some of those hits were on Rodgers, who tended to hold the ball to let longer routes develop than take his checkdown options. Most of his rushing yards came on scrambles late in the fourth quarter two minute offense.
| RB Ryan Grant, Rush: 14 - 46 - 1, Rec: 3 - 22 - 0 (5 targets) |
Other than a gaping hole on a cutback touchdown run inside the ten, Grant had no running room inside or outside against Cincinnati. On the rare occasion he did have a crease, Grant looked decisive and got to the second level easily. He was also targeted on a variety of screen and wheel routes, which were mostly successful.
| WR Donald Driver, Rec: 6 - 99 - 1 (9 targets) |
Driver showed his experience against the Bengals. He somehow found a soft spot on the short side of the field and caught a bullet from Rodgers for a touchdown. His route running skills and hands were also on display for many of his six catches. His nine targets made him the most targeted Packer WR.
| WR James Jones, Rec: 2 - 24 - 0 (4 targets) |
Jones again got the bulk of the snaps as the Packers' third WR and the majority of the targets. Though he was one of many Green Bay receivers guilty of dropping a catchable ball, Jones was targeted four times and showed better hands on his two completed receptions.
| WR Jordy Nelson, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (1 targets) |
Nelson was on the field for a number of snaps in the Green Bay spread sets, but only targeted once.
| WR Greg Jennings (5 targets) |
Jennings dropped an easy first down catch during the team's first series, then was mostly invisible for the rest of the first half. Rodgers targeted him more often in the second half, but the Bengal pass rush kept Aaron Rodgers from getting in sync with Jennings on the longer developing routes.
| TE Jermichael Finley, Rec: 4 - 56 - 0 (7 targets) |
Finley was a major target of Aaron Rodgers. Only Donald Driver had more passes thrown his way against Cincinnati. His already impressive stat line would have been even better had he not dropped a very catchable ball on a slow developing deep cross pattern on the Packers' first offensive play and had Rodgers not narrowly missed him on a sideline pattern later in the game. He was again aligned in the slot frequently and showed good awareness on a hot route that went for a long gain during the second half.
| TE Donald Lee, Rec: 4 - 28 - 0 (6 targets) |
With the Bengal pass rush keeping Aaron Rodgers from focusing on longer routes, Lee was a frequent checkdown target. His catches weren't in high leverage situations, but Lee will continue to be a useful, though inconsistent, outlet receiver for the Packers.