Category: Latest News

Jets aren’t overlooking Andy Dalton’s Bengals

The Jets are ready for Andy Dalton in Week 13.

Andy Dalton might be 0-8 as a starter for the Cincinnati Bengals this year and lost his job to a rookie.

Don’t tell the New York Jets.

Jets head coach Adam Gase, captain of a 4-7 team that is surging on a three-game tear, doesn’t want his team to overlook the Bengals and Dalton.

“He’s a dangerous guy, period.” Gase said, according to SNY’s Corey Hersch. “That’s just what it is. It’s not always easy when you’re a quarterback who’s been in the same organization for a long time under the same head coach and all of a sudden everything changes. It’s not always as smooth as you want it to be.”

It’s reasonable to think the Jets might overlook the Bengals. The week after is a game against Miami, a divisional foe, then Baltimore. The Miami portion might sound funny — but the Jets lost to the Dolphins in Week 9.

Still, Dalton doesn’t seem like the most threatening player right now. He just got re-appointed as starter and won’t have A.J. Green. He’s struggled to complete 60 percent of his passes and throw more touchdowns than picks.

And yet, the Jets have made it a point to respect the veteran. Not only is it due diligence, Dalton himself might have something to prove with it seeming like he could be auditioning for a new team next year.

As expected, the quest to get win No. 1 won’t be simple.

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Titans need to keep RB Derrick Henry rolling vs. Colts

Running back Derrick Henry continues to be one of the most important players on offense — and the team as a whole.

The Tennessee Titans’ offense has come alive since quarterback Ryan Tannehill replaced Marcus Mariota in the third quarter of Week 6’s shutout loss to the Denver Broncos.

But Tannehill isn’t the only one who has been essential to keeping the team in rhythm.

Running back Derrick Henry continues to be one of the most important players on offense — and the team as a whole.

Here’s what team writer Jim Wyatt had to say of the former Alabama standout this week.

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“Call Titans running back Derrick Henry ‘butter’, because he’s been on a roll. In back-to-back wins over the Chiefs and Jaguars, Henry has 188 yards and 152 yards, respectively, with four rushing touchdowns,” he wrote. “The Titans have been riding him since last December, and he’s led the NFL with 1,616 rushing yards in the past 16 games. Can Henry and the Titans keep it going against an Indianapolis defense that’s ranked 8th vs. the run, allowing just 97 yards per game? Well, it would sure help.”

The Titans have struggled historically against the Colts, never recording a victory over the team with Andrew Luck at the helm and fell 19-17 in a close matchup after Jacoby Brissett took over.

Henry accounted for 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown to finish as the team’s leading rusher in that game.

The Titans totaled 124 rushing yards overall in the contest, and 278 yards of total offense.

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The Titans look very different and much more dominant as a team heading into the game this time around, and it will be interesting to see if Henry can stay hot as Tennessee faces Indianapolis in Lucas Oil Stadium at noon CT on Sunday.

Titans WR Tajae Sharpe downgraded to questionable ahead of matchup vs. Colts

The Tennessee Titans have had their fair share of troubles with the injury bug this season, and it’s continued to affect the team into this week.

The Tennessee Titans have had their fair share of troubles with the injury bug this season, and it’s continued to affect the team into this week.

On Saturday afternoon, wide receiver Tajae Sharpe was downgraded to questionable ahead of Week 13’s matchup against the division rival Indianapolis Colts.

Sharpe was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, and was a full participant on Thursday and Friday while dealing with a hamstring injury.

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So far this season, Sharpe totals 13 receptions for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

The Titans and Colts are set to kick off at noon CT in Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

Andy Dalton’s big return and other top pregame Jets vs. Bengals storylines

Top storylines to know in Jets vs. Bengals.

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The Cincinnati Bengals host the New York Jets on Sunday in a showcase of two teams falling well short of preseason goals.

Those Bengals still seek the first win of the season while the Jets look to keep riding momentum, potentially salvaging the season in the process.

These are the top storylines.

 

Andy Dalton’s return: Dalton is back in charge after the coaching staff balked after just three starts from rookie Ryan Finley. It seemed the veteran would sit on the bench for the final eight games while the team preps for the 2020 draft. Instead, there’s a sense of frantic desperation around the team, hence the move. Dalton’s time as a starter before getting benched wasn’t encouraging. He went 0-8, completing 60.4 percent of his passes with just nine scores and eight picks. The running game is showing signs of life compared to the last time Dalton started, but other than that he’s dealing with no A.J. Green and a poor offensive line. Whether he can put the team on his back and carry it to win No. 1 is the top item to consider. But he’ll have to contend with…

New York’s defense: Dalton has already noted Jamal Adams reminds him of Troy Polamalu. Adams is elite, but he’s just one facet of a steady Jets defense. The unit ranks first in the NFL with just 78.1 rushing yards allowed per game. As a whole, the team only permits an average of 23.5 points per game. That’s a middle of the pack number but consider the Bengals haven’t scored more than 20 points in six consecutive games and only twice all year. A reviving running game has to deal with a brick wall of a unit and if it can’t make something happen, Dalton’s re-debut could end up spoiled in a hurry.

0-16 vs. the playoffs: The sense of desperation surrounding the Bengals to avoid 0-16 might make some think they’re dangerous or ready to pull off an upset. But the Jets aren’t too dissimilar. The Jets have won three in a row and while the odds might be slim to none, they can still technically make the playoffs. Which is the better motivating factor? Hard to say but the Jets sure seem motivated after three straight wins featuring 34 points each. Gone are the strange injury developments and side storylines — the Jets are healthy and seem to be clicking on all fronts. As the old cliche goes, something has to give at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.

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Should the Bengals shut down A.J. Green?

Should the Bengals end this weekly saga?

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Is it time for A.J. Green to go on the shelf?

This isn’t what anyone really wants, obviously. Green wants to play for a multitude of reasons. His teammates want him to play. The coaching staff off to the worst start in franchise history wants him on the field.

And yet, Green still hasn’t participated in a Wednesday practice all season. Speaking to the media this week, Zac Taylor noted Green might need a full week of full-go practices — and then some — before getting back on the field:

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Whether the Bengals win a game in the next week or two might decide if Green ever gets on the field. If they eliminate the chance of 0-16, everyone might feel better about officially shutting him down.

On a personal level, Green probably wants to show NFL teams he can still go before he heads to free agency this offseason. He’s said his next contract isn’t about the money but he’s also human — each game he misses potentially shaves millions from a new deal in what could be his last NFL contract.

The other side to that is sheer risk of getting on the field at all. We’re talking about Green still working his way back from an injury he suffered on the first day of training camp.

No easy answer exists so we’ll throw it to the fans — should the Bengals shut Green down?

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NFL hot seat rankings don’t paint Zac Taylor in a great light

How hot is Zac Taylor’s seat?

Now that Zac Taylor’s Cincinnati Bengals have solidified the worst start in franchise history, it was fair game to consider if the coaching staff would be one-and-done.

And that’s far from the only example of such a sentiment making the rounds.

Over at CBS Sports, Patrik Walker raises a really good point while ranking Taylor’s seat as the second hottest behind only Pat Shurmur of the New York Giants:

It’s uncertain what Taylor’s goal is with the reinsertion of Dalton, other than not going 0-16, but Dalton might find himself returning still without the services of A.J. Green to help him in what will likely be his final few games in Cincinnati. Meanwhile, the veteran QB can no longer be used as the scapegoat, because Taylor couldn’t coach Finley to a single win, and gave up on the former fourth-round pick in less than a month’s time.

And there’s a good point to consider — it isn’t all on Dalton anymore.

Taylor went to his rookie quarterback he traded up to get in the fourth round and things were just as bad. Now he’s going back to Dalton in an effort to salvage things.

Maybe it works. But if it doesn’t, the well of excuses continues to dry. Injuries smack around every team and there isn’t another one-win team in the NFL, let alone another winless team. Even the newest of coaching staffs and most injured rosters have found ways to win.

If the Bengals can’t grab the first win of the year in the next week or two, it might be hard to keep Taylor out of the No. 1 slot when it comes to hot seats. The Bengals operate differently than everyone else, yes, but one has to wonder if there is a breaking point and where it might be.

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Former Bengals kicker Jake Elliott earns massive extension with Eagles

Jake Elliott just got a massive deal with the Eagles.

Remember Jake Elliott?

The current Philadelphia Eagles kicker was a point of frustration for Cincinnati Bengals fans a few years back. The team drafted him in the first round, attempted to stash him on the practice squad and the Eagles swooped and swiped.

Now Elliott’s is the NFL’s highest-paid kicker.

Eliott’s fresh five-year extension with the Eagles makes him the highest average salary at the position and highest total dollars at $21 million. This on the heels of hitting 26 of 31 attempts over his last two seasons before a 14 of 14 mark this year. He’s hit longs of 61, 56 and 53.

Which isn’t to say Randy Bullock has been a bad presence for the Bengals. He’s hit 18 of 20, 19 of 23 and 15 of 18 over the same span. The problem is spotty accuracy from deep (three of eight from 50-plus since 2017), which can influence offensive decisions.

Either way, it is interesting to see how it has all worked out so far. Elliott after the big deal:

Colts QB Jacoby Brissett could be in for rough game vs. Titans

Brissett has particularly struggled since Week 9 while dealing with a knee injury, and he’ll be up against a tough defense.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been efficient since taking the reins in the wake of Andrew Luck’s retirement, but he could be in for a difficult game this week against the Tennessee Titans.

Brissett has particularly struggled since Week 9 while dealing with a knee injury, and he’ll be up against a tough defense.

Ahead of the Week 13 matchup, Tennessee has given up the ninth and eighth fewest points per game and third-down conversions, respectively. Between this and Brissett’s recent setbacks, the Colts could have some trouble on offense.

Indianapolis narrowly won the last clash between the two teams, 19-17 in Nissan Stadium.

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Brissett completed 17-of-28 passes for 146 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

So far this season, the quarterback has completed 184-of-285 pass attempts for 1,926 yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions.

In the Colts’ latest 20-17 loss to the Houston Texans, Brissett failed to throw for a score, completing 16-of-25 passes for 129 yards.

It will be interesting to see how well the Colts perform overall against a much-improved Titans team with a new quarterback at the helm, but it will be particularly curious to see if Brissett can overcome his struggles and get the offense into a rhythm.

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The Titans and Colts are set to kick off at noon CT on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Injury report: Titans CB LeShaun Sims ruled OUT vs. Colts

Here’s a look at the complete injury report for both teams.

The Tennessee Titans took the practice field on Friday ahead of this week’s matchup against the division rival Indianapolis Colts.

But the team was without one of its usual players, which it will also be without on Sunday.

Cornerback LeShaun Sims (ankle) did not practice and has been ruled OUT. Tight end Delanie Walker (ankle) also remains on Injured Reserve.

Linebacker Reggie Gilbert (knee), safety Dane Cruikshank (ankle), running back Derrick Henry (hamstring), cornerback Adoree Jackson (calf), defensive lineman DaQuan Jones (ribs), defensive back Joshua Kalu (ankle), wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (hamstring) and offensive lineman Kevin Pamphile (knee) were all full participants.

Here’s a look at the complete injury report for both teams.

The Titans and Colts are set to kick off at noon CT on Sunday in Nissan Stadium.

Darius Phillips is back to boost Bengals return game

Darius Phillips is back and could suit up for the Bengals this weekend.

Darius Phillips is back.

The Cincinnati Bengals activated Phillips a few weeks ago and we wrote at the time he could boost what seems to be an elite return game.

After getting his legs back under him in practice, Phillips will suit up this weekend when the Bengals take on the New York Jets.

According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, Bengals coaches noted Phillips will come off the bench and could see some usage on punt returns.

As we noted when the team designated Phillips to return in the first place, his dangerous skill set boosts a punt-return game already complemented well by the elite emergence of Brandon Wilson on kick returns.

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