Category: Latest News

Carlos Dunlap named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

The Bengals DE put on a show in his team’s first win.

It isn’t often the Cincinnati Bengals get the national spotlight these days.

Carlos Dunlap’s Week 13 performance in his team’s first win of the season was hard to ignore, though. For his efforts, the NFL named him a Week 13 Defensive Player of the Week, as seen in the graphic above.

Not hard to see why. Dunlap was a force, totaling seven tackles and three sacks with two hurries and eight pressures in the win over the New York Jets.

Dunlap had missed a few games this year and seemingly had a slow start. But his continued upswing and hard play again serves as the embodiment of the culture the Bengals want to build throughout the locker room.

Win No. 1 on the season probably feels better, but it sure doesn’t hurt for the Bengals to see one of their best guys receive an individual honor as this struggle of a season winds down.

The award places Dunlap in some rare company:

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6 things to know about Bengals-Browns Week 14 showdown

Here are some quick details to know about the in-state game.

Fresh off win No. 1 of the season the Cincinnati Bengals hit the road to take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 14.

Neither team has lived up to expectations, though the Browns had more entering the season given the arrivals of players like Odell Beckham Jr.

This particular Battle of Ohio doesn’t feature big stakes besides draft positioning, but it’ll be one players want to grab with only four games left.

 

Baker Mayfield’s injury

Jun 12, 2018; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks off the field with quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese after minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Mayfield enters this one hurt after suffering a hand injury last week after hitting it on a helmet. Coaches say Mayfield “should be fine” but hand injuries are a tricky thing for quarterbacks. He’s regressed this year as it is, completing 60 percent of his passes with 15 touchdowns and 14 inspections.

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Lamar Jackson led Cyber Monday merchandise sales

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has already started his takeover, leading all athletes in Cyber Monday merchandise sales.

The NFL is absolutely enthralled with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. So much so that he destroyed in merchandise sale on one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jackson outsold every other athlete in total merchandise sales on the Fanatics website.

It seems every week we’re left with new additions to his highlight reel, whether it be a long run dashing between defenders or a perfectly-placed pass for a touchdown. With Jackson currently the frontrunner for the NFL’s MVP, about to set the single-season rushing record for quarterbacks and leading the best team in the league, there’s little wonder as to why fans were buying up his merchandise.

As coach John Harbaugh was caught saying to Jackson at one point this season, “You know how many little kids in this country are gonna be wearing number 8 playing quarterback for the next 20 years?”

Looks like Harbaugh was right.

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Bengals open as road underdogs vs. Browns in Week 14

The Bengals are underdogs against the Browns in Week 14.

Winners or not, the Cincinnati Bengals are rather big underdogs against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14.

The first in-state battle between the two takes place in Cleveland, which might somewhat explain the big disparity from oddsmakers. The Bengals opened as 8.5-point underdogs, according to BetMGM.

Prior to a loss in Pittsburgh over the weekend the Browns had won three straight, bringing the current record to 5-7. But erratic might be the best way to describe a Browns team with Baker Mayfield hardly completing 60 percent of his passes with just one more touchdown than interception and a defense now forced to play without Myles Garrett.

At least on paper, this game figures to be a little more competitive than it seemed even a few weeks ago. The Bengals just picked up their first win of the season with Andy Dalton back under center.

This one can’t go classified as a surefire bet either way. Fans and would-be bettors will find out quickly whether the Bengals are really surging or simply took advantage of a bumbling New York Jets opponent. Call this one good groundwork to help better figure out and predict the rematch in Week 17.

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Ravens sign FB/DL Patrick Ricard to a 2-year contact extension

The Baltimore Ravens have locked up fullback/defensive lineman Patrick Ricard to an early contract extension through the 2021 season

The Baltimore Ravens have seen enough out of fullback/defensive lineman Patrick Ricard this season. According to the team’s Twitter account, they’ve locked him up to a two-year contract extension that will keep him through the 2021 season. Ricard was set to be a restricted free agent this offseason. While likely to return for at least a season, Baltimore’s extension ensures they keep him for the near future.

Ricard is one of the few two-way players in the NFL, playing both on offense and defense. But that actually doesn’t do Ricard justice as he plays a significant number of snaps on special teams as well.

Sadly, what Ricard does for Baltimore doesn’t tend to show up on the stat sheet. Ricard has eight receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown while posting nine combined tackles, a pass defensed, one sack and two quarterback hits. While those stats are underwhelming for a guy getting a contract mid-season, the Ravens clearly feel he’s an asset on their roster.

He’s a big portion of Baltimore’s depth on the defensive line but he’s been a star at fullback. Ricard is a huge reason the Ravens have had such success on the ground, blocking the way for guys like Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards and quarterback Lamar Jackson. A quick look at film from any game will show Ricard blowing up defenders and pushing them downfield, opening holes for big rushing yards. Ricard’s play has him headed towards his first Pro Bowl nomination, as he leads fan voting at fullback.

Baltimore has aimed to extend their pending free agents early when possible. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has been able to lock up cornerback Tavon Young, kicker Justin Tucker, guard Marshal Yanda and wide receiver Willie Snead to extensions during the regular season. Ricard is just another in a line

Bengals waive Damion Willis to make room for John Ross

John Ross is up, Damion Willis is down for Bengals.

As expected, John Ross is back with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Tuesday, the team announced Ross’ activation off the Reserve/Injured list and the corresponding move, waiving Damion Willis.

Ross was always expected back around this time and Zac Taylor talked in depth about the plan for Ross and Jonah Williams recently.

Perhaps more interesting is the story of Willis, the undrafted talent who was surprisingly an opening-day starter for the Bengals in A.J. Green’s slot.

Willis eventually fell out of favor as Auden Tate rose to the top of the depth chart and it has ultimately culminated in undrafted Stanley Morgan getting more looks as of late.

For now, Willis ends his main-roster tenure with nine catches on 16 targets. The Bengals saw something they really liked with him but had to get him out there earlier than anticipated, so rest assured they’ll look for a way to keep him aboard.

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Titans are favorites over Raiders ahead of Sunday matchup

The Titans are favored to leave with the win by a point spread of (-2.5), according to Bet MGM.

The Tennessee Titans (7-5) are looking very much like a team that could edge its way into the playoffs after recording a 31-17 win over the visiting Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Nissan Stadium.

With the victory, the Titans have now won three games in a row, and will look to extend that streak to four as they face the Oakland Raiders (6-6) this week on the road.

The Titans are favored to leave with the win by a point spread of (-2.5), according to Bet MGM.

The Raiders have hardly had the same type of momentum as the Titans have held lately, dropping their past two consecutive contests.

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Oakland has scored just 12 combined points in two games, recording a 40-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last week, and falling 34-3 to the New York Jets in the week prior to that.

While the Titans could have their quarterback of the future in Ryan Tannehill, things couldn’t be much different at the position for the Raiders.

Quarterback Derek Carr is likely playing for his job at this point, and this game could ultimately end up being the deciding factor.

Carr has been met with plenty of criticism, including after he went 20-of-30 passing for 222 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions against Kansas City.

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The Titans and Raiders are set to kick off at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday in Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

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Titans stay put in Week 14 NFL power rankings

Here’s what analyst Doug Farrar had to say about placing the Titans directly ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and behind the Minnesota Vikings.

The Tennessee Titans (7-5) have found a new sense of energy on offense with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, and former Alabama standout rusher Derrick Henry driving the ground game.

The team looked solid in all three phases of the game as they recorded a 31-17 win over the division rival Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Nissan Stadium.

After the victory, the Titans stayed put at the No. 11 spot in Touchdown Wire’s Week 14 NFL power rankings.

Here’s what analyst Doug Farrar had to say about placing the Titans directly ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and behind the Minnesota Vikings.

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“For once, Ryan Tannehill wasn’t the big story in a Titans win. Though the reformed quarterback looked good in a 31-17 win over the Colts, completing 17 of 22 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns, this game was really in running back Derrick Henry’s hands,” he wrote.

And there’s no doubting that Henry was a force against one of the league’s toughest rushing defenses.

“Henry gained 149 yards and scored a touchdown on 26 carries, proving once again that he is the kind of powerful, sustaining back you can build an old-school offense around. Over his past three games, Henry has rushed 68 times for 496 yards, a 7.3 yards per carry average, and five rushing touchdowns. With Tannehill looking explosive and consistent and a defense rounding into shape, the Titans — who have won five of their past six games — are starting to look like that wild-card team nobody wants to deal with in the playoffs.”

The Titans have certainly made a turnaround at this point, and look like an entirely different team than they did toward the beginning of the season.

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It will be interesting to see what the future holds for them, and if they’re able to stay hot enough to crack their way into the postseason and be competitive.

Tennessee will face the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Sunday at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday.

Titans-Raiders: Time, TV schedule and how to watch

Here is the broadcast information, and well as other important details to know about the upcoming game.

The Tennessee Titans (7-5) are a team no one wants to face after their recent turnaround, which includes a 31-17 win over the division rival Indianapolis Colts.

The Titans look much-improved in all three phases of the game, compared to the way they looked earlier on in the season.

Tennessee will aim to stay hot and extend their winning streak as they face the Oakland Raiders (6-6) on the road on Sunday.

Here is the broadcast information, and well as other important details to know about the upcoming game:

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Tennessee Titans vs. Oakland Raiders: Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3:25 p.m. CT

TV channel: CBS

Live stream: fuboTV ( try it free)

Location: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Weather forecast: Scattered showers, 57 degrees

Point spread: Titans, (-3)

Billy Price again fell out of Bengals starting lineup with an injury

Billy Price can’t stay on the field for the Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals won a game to avoid the fate of 0-16 but otherwise remain largely in evaluation mode.

It’s about the future and the 2020 draft now. During this sort of stretch, the idea is to get as many young players possible meaningful snaps to spur development and better reveal where the team needs to hit needs in free agency and the draft.

But from the sounds of it the Bengals won’t get this chance with 2018 first-round pick Billy Price.

Price missed last week’s win with back soreness, which gave rookie Michael Jordan the start. And based on what head coach Zac Taylor told the media, more of the same could be on the way.

“That’s something we’ll continue to evaluate every week. He’s a young player that we think has great potential. He just needs to continue to get reps. Billy (G/C Billy Price) has been fighting a little bit of a back (injury). We’ll continue to see how that develops over the course of the week. We’ll make some decisions as the weeks goes as to what we want to do there.”

Price has technically suited up for 12 games this year but has hardly appeared after a preseason of reportedly battling plantar fasciitis. He couldn’t win the job at center, then lost out to the rookie Jordan at left guard.

Just two weeks ago, Price wasn’t going to start at all at left guard until Alex Redmond suffered a season-ending injury during warmups. For those who know Redmond’s career trajectory, this is a big red flag for Price.

In an ideal scenario, Price suits up and plays in the final four games. But right now things continue to trend in an incredibly wrong direction for the Bengals given the cost of the investment.

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