Bengals vs. Colts
Bengals
I had hoped, coming into this game, that Andy Dalton would take advantage of a pretty weak Colts secondary, and to an extent he did, but it didn’t look pretty. To be honest, Andy Dalton just kinda looked like Andy Dalton out there. He made a few nice throws, but he also made a few questionable ones. He did throw an interception, but I blame him less than I blame his offensive line for that one.
Speaking of the offensive line, they did not look good. They were pretty bad last year and added Cordy Glenn in the offseason and drafted Billy Price in the first round, but that doesn’t look to have made a ton of difference. Dalton was under pretty intense pressure most of the game, and even got sacked twice.
That didn’t matter for Joe Mixon though, who looked really good.
[gfycat data_id=”RegalPastelAmericanlobster”]
[gfycat data_id=”CreativeUnrulyAmericanquarterhorse”]
The dude is just stupid talented. He’s got excellent burst and once he’s off, he’s way gone. Giovani Bernard (unsurprisingly) didn’t factor into the running game at all, with just one rush, though he did have one nice reception for 11 yards. But yesterday was all about Mixon, and if he keeps this up this year, especially if the offensive line is able to improve, he could finally start fulfilling the potential we all know he has.
And to put a pin in the passing game, A.J. Green looked solid. He coughed up a fumble, but that was more really good tackling on the defense’s part forcing the fumble. Regardless, six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown is hardly something you can complain about. It was also interesting to see just two targets and one catch (though for a touchdown) for John Ross, yet five targets and three catches for Tyler Boyd. A lot of people thought Ross was the number two option in the Bengals passing game, that might not be the case. It’s worth monitoring.
-Ben Palmer
Colts
If there is one takeaway from Indianapolis’ first-week loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, it is that Andrew Luck is BACK. Before everyone gets too excited, this means both the good and the bad tendencies of vintage Luck were on full display. The face of the franchise delivered time and time gain, finishing the afternoon 39-of-53 for 319 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He even had the offense en route to a last-minute game-winning touchdown before Jack Doyle fumbled away a third-down conversion which turned into six points for the Bengals. However, we saw flashes of the old Luck as he wasted an early opportunity, throwing an interception to Preston Brown inside the ten-yard line. On that same drive, Luck opted for yardage over a slide, resulting in a nasty hit. Had Luck not been on top of his tackler, he’d likely be in concussion protocol. Over six hundred days since his last start though, the majority of reports are positive regarding Luck’s 2018 debut.
Was the backfield actually productive?
The absence of Marlon Mack and Robert Turbin left the rookie duo of Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines leading the backfield. Wilkins demonstrated a handful of runs where he shows one-cut ability reminiscent of Arian Foster. He also struggled to reach the line of scrimmage a number of times, most notably in short-yardage situations. The rookie should only improve with experience, but he missed an opportunity to shine with Mack on the sideline. Hines rushed five times for 19 yards and (more notably) tallied seven receptions on nine targets for 33 yards. A handful of short yardage conversions lack meaning outside of PPR, but Hines is already proving to be a valuable situational option out on the flats.
Where did the targets go?
T.Y. Hilton led the team with 11 targets from Luck but brought in just five receptions for 46 yards. Had he not brought in a quick slant on the goal line for a touchdown, owners would have been extremely frustrated for the number one wideout who missed a couple of big opportunities. Jack Doyle led the team with 60 yards on seven receptions but will be marred by his game-ending fumble. Luck often went back to the tight end in important situations, though he disappeared at other times. Ryan Grant may emerge as a security blanket on the outside with eight receptions on nine targets, and Eric Ebron looks to be a decent red zone option. His wheel route turned touchdown showcases just how dangerous of a mismatch he can be. Frank Reich also felt it was the right move to leave Ebron on the sideline late in the game, something to watch moving forward.
How bad will this defense become?
Aside from two turnovers, this defense was lost at times. Joe Mixon finished the day with 149 total yards and a touchdown on 22 touches, many of those yards coming in third-down situations. A.J. Green can be expected to take the top off the coverage, but the real concern is the success Andy Dalton had finding other receivers. He only needed to target non-Green/Mixon names thirteen times, and when the defense was able to force his hand, Dalton still completed ten passes. Quincy Wilson’s surrendered touchdown and harmful pass interference can be attributed to playing with a club on one hand, but this defense crumbled late, and showed a lot of issues at each level. Margus Hunt offered some silver lining with two sacks.
-Michael Collins
Coleman should do a fine job of limiting his own usage – he always does. Freeman should get all he can handle. I would call him the best value of the RB1s.
Freeman was a borderline RB1 coming into the season. You can hardly call him that if the division of carries continues.