Matchup Mashup: Your Patriots-Bengals primer

BY EDITOR

Week 5: Cincinnati Bengals (3-0) at New England Patriots (2-2), 8:30 p.m.
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
Weather: Clear, low 50s at kickoff (accuweather)

The skinny: The Patriots had a downright awful outing last Sunday, a game they're happy to forget as they prepare on a short week to take on the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals. While the defense struggled to make tackles, the offense has struggled to make much of anything happen, ranking 30th in the passing game and 23rd on the ground. It won't get any easier this week, as the Bengals defense has kept teams off the scoreboard and come into Sunday well rested after a bye week. Andy Dalton and the Bengals offense certainly haven't been perfect, but they've continued to do what Dalton is known for, at least in the regular season -- win games.

Film Review: Coyle's pressure-packed game plan

BY SEAN DONOVAN

When Cameron Wake took down Andy Dalton for a game-winning safety in sudden death overtime to give the Miami Dolphins a 22-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals Thursday night, it seemed that he single-handedly rejuvenated the Miami's season after a brutal four-game losing streak.

Wake recorded three total sacks and numerous quarterback pressures in a Herculean-type performance, but just as much credit is owed to Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle for designing blitz packages that put his superstar defensive end in position to dominate.

Dalton is a talented young quarterback, but his effectiveness drops off considerably when pressured. The Bengals utilized quick passes, screens and chip-blocks to neutralize the Dolphins' pass rush much of the night, but in third-and-long situations when the opportunity was there, Miami's rushers weren't able to beat their blockers enough to pressure Dalton.

Big-play defense earns Dolphins much-needed win

BY SEAN DONOVAN

The Miami Dolphins ended their losing skid in thrilling fashion Thursday night, recording a game-ending safety on a sack by Cameron Wake to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime, 22-20.

The win ends an adversity-filled short week for Miami, but for about 59 minutes, the Dolphins appeared to be playing out the same exact script from their heart-breaking loss to the New England Patriots just four days earlier.

First, just as they had in New England, the Dolphins stormed out to a 17-3 third quarter advantage only to relinquish that lead in the fourth thanks in part to questionable offensive play-calling and an inability to sustain drives.

Week 9 picks: Bengals at Dolphins

Publisher Nick St. Denis, associate editor Dan Begnoche and senior contributor Sean Donovan pick the Thursday night AFC matchup between the Miami Dolphins (3-4) and the Cincinnati Bengals (6-2).

Sean's take:

The grumbles about Mike Sherman's lack of balanced play-calling to-date are now coming from more than just the fans, but any efforts to run the ball consistently will be met by an eighth-ranked Cincinnati run defense led by one of the league's best defensive lines. Miami will be tempted to attack a beat-up Bengals secondary through the air, but poor pass protection and the loss of Brandon Gibson re-shift the advantage to the Bengals. The Dolphins drop their fifth-straight.
Prediction: Bengals 24, Dolphins 10

Four Point Stance: Bengals at Dolphins

BY SEAN DONOVAN

A cloud of desperation hovers over the 3-4 Miami Dolphins, who host the 6-2 Cincinnati Bengals in a Halloween primetime tilt. Reports of player dissent and an emotional breakdown by an offensive starter have marred a short week of preparation ahead of a critical game, as Miami looks to avoid adding to its four-game losing streak.

The Bengals, meanwhile, are headed in the opposite direction, having won each of their last four including a 49-9 blowout of the New York Jets a week ago. A win over Miami would complete a season sweep of the AFC East for the Bengals.

Both teams have been afflicted by a rash of injuries recently, with Dolphins receiver Brandon Gibson (knee), Bengals cornerback Leon Hall (Achilles) and Bengals safety Taylor Mays (shoulder) all suffering season-ending injuries in recent weeks. Dolphins tackle Jonathan Martin (illness), whose short and long-term future has been pulled into question after a bizarre incident this week, also will not play Thursday night.

Rex: 'We're fortunate it only counts as one loss'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The New York Jets were absolutely awful Sunday in a blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and in basically every facet.

But despite getting beat up and down the field many times over, Gang Green (4-4) will only be handed a single tally in the "L" column. That's the razor-thin silver lining.

"That was ugly, to say the least," Jets coach Rex Ryan said after his team's 49-9 debacle, via NewYorkJets.com. "We’re really fortunate that it only counts as one loss because you get your butt kicked like that, you know, we’re fortunate that that’s all it is."

Four Point Stance: Jets at Bengals

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The New York Jets (4-3) look to break their relentless win-loss pattern when they travel to Cincinnati for an intraconference battle with the AFC North-leading Bengals (5-2).

The Jets have yet to string together consecutive wins, and doing so against one of the NFL's fiercest defensive fronts and arguably the league's most explosive receiver will be no easy task. New York is coming off a big-time victory over the New England Patriots but faces a tougher test, matchup-wise, Sunday.

The Bengals have won three straight, most recently in Detroit against the Lions.

Week 8 picks: Jets at Bengals

Publisher Nick St. Denis, associate editor Dan Begnoche and senior contributor Sean Donovan pick the New York Jets' (4-3) AFC showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals (5-2).

Nick's take:

The Jets will have their hands full with Bengals receiver A.J. Green. Gang Green's defensive front will have its chances to get after quarterback Andy Dalton, but cornerback Antonio Cromartie's work on Green will be the difference-maker. If New York doesn't surrender more than one big play for a score, Geno Smith should be able to muster enough points to leave a tough road trip with a victory.

Prediction: Jets 21, Bengals 20

Injury report: Holmes still out, Mangold will play

BY NICK ST. DENIS

New York Jets receiver Santonio Holmes gave a hint this week that he'd be absent from the game field until after the team's Week 10 bye, and that theory is holding true for at least one week.

Holmes, who has missed the last three games, is listed as "out" for the Jets' road bout with the Cincinnati Bengals, though the Jets continue to get healthier at pretty much every other position. Center Nick Mangold is "questionable" with a rib ailment, but coach Rex Ryan ensured Mangold would be a go Sunday.

New York's offense will have the luxury of going against a Bengals secondary without cornerback Leon Hall, though the team's stout defensive front is still well and good.

Colon: We'll need our A-game vs. Bengals' D-line

BY SEAN DONOVAN

New York Jets right guard Willie Colon spent his first seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a division rival of his opponent this Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals.

He watched first hand over the years as the Bengals went from perennial also-rans to one of the AFC's top teams.

"I’ve watched that team go from a bottom-of-the-barrel team where nobody respected them to now they’re a legit contender." Colon said this week, via NewYorkJets.com. “You’ve got to respect their progress."

Bengals' Lewis: Geno doesn't look like a rookie

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Geno Smith's 2013 season thus far has been a roller coaster of good and bad. In other words, he's playing the part of a rookie quarterback.

Smith, however, has been a bigger part of the solution than the problem, and anyone who watches the New York Jets signal-caller on a week-to-week basis can see the coaster is progressively trending upward.

"You see him growing and obviously when he takes care of the ball, they’re going to be successful," Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday, via NewYorkJets.com. ". . . He’s not playing like a deer in the headlights and necessarily, when you watch how he played a week ago, he doesn’t necessarily look like a rookie quarterback."

Rex ensures 'Snacks' won't be covering A.J. Green

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Rex Ryan considers Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green the best wideout in the AFC.

So when the New York Jets coach was asked Wednesday if the Jets will put their best cover cornerback, Antonio Cromartie, on Green when the teams meet Sunday, Ryan stated the obvious.

"Well, we’re not going to put Snacks on him," Ryan quipped.

Bengals 'different' from what Bills prepared for

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Buffalo Bills weren't ready for what the Cincinnati Bengals brought on offense Sunday. They made that much clear.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton chipped away at the Bills' defense with screen passes, and his receivers racked up catch-and-runs to the tune of 337 yards en route to a 27-24 overtime victory.

"They did something a little different from what we expected on our defensive side," Bills defensive end Mario Williams said after the game, via BuffaloBills.com.

Week 6 picks: Bengals at Bills

Publisher Nick St. Denis, associate editor Dan Begnoche and senior contributor Sean Donovan pick the Buffalo Bills' AFC bout with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Nick's take:

Thad Lewis isn't the solution, but for now, he's the Bills' only answer. The fourth-year quarterback will make his second career start against a pretty stout Bengals defense. Buffalo will need C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson to run wild for any chance in this one, and that won't come easy against a group that has given up just one rush of 20 yards or more.

Prediction: Bengals 27, Bills 13

Dan's take:

The pressure the Bengals bring on Lewis opens up opportunities downfield for the Bills' young receivers, but Lewis' lack of experience equals more bad decisions than good. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green finally get back into rhythm against a secondary that still trying to get healthy, and the return of safety Jairus Byrd isn't enough to stop a tight-end tandem that's tallied 417 yards on 39 receptions.

Prediction: Bengals 24, Bills 16

Four Point Stance: Bengals at Bills

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

The long-awaited return of Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd is finally here, though his start will be slightly overshadowed by the departure of another big name, rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel.

Manuel is slated to miss a few weeks with a knee injury, which he sustained during the team's Thursday night loss to the Browns in Week 5. His absence opens the door for practice squad quarterback Thad Lewis, who got the nod by coach Doug Marrone earlier this week over backup Jeff Tuel. Marrone noted Lewis's option-style signal-calling and ability to make plays with his legs as reason for the decision, as Tuel completed less than 50 percent of his passes and was sacked twice in his short time on the field.

The change under center will put serious pressure on the team's run game, which faces a still test. The Bengals have allowed fewer than 100 yards on the ground per game thus far, and their secondary has played equally as well, surrendering just six touchdowns through the air while snagging five interceptions. Lewis and Co. will have to mix it up against an aggressive squad, which may prove difficult with a couple key receivers (Stevie Johnson, Marquise Goodwin) on the mend.

Injury report: Stage finally set for Byrd

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

The Buffalo Bills' secondary looks to finally be getting a couple bodies back. Well, maybe one and a half.

Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd will finally make his season debut, and cornerback Stephon Gilmore could be on his way back as well, but if so, he'll play with a heavily-wrapped, club-like protective bandage, which would still be an improvement for a secondary that's given up nearly 300 yards through the air the last three games.

Running back Fred Jackson seems to be back in full after a meddlesome knee injury last week, while the same can't be said for C.J. Spiller, who is questionable with a lingering ankle sprain but will likely play. Guard Doug Legursky will return this weekend after missing the first five weeks with a knee injury, and the inexperienced Thad Lewis will call signals in place of rookie E.J. Manuel.  Here's the full slate of injuries:

Dobson: 'We beat ourselves, it's nothing they did'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The New England Patriots' offense was atrocious Sunday in a 13-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. That, or the Bengals' defense was really good.

Patriots rookie wide receiver Aaron Dobson thinks the former.

"I feel like we beat ourselves," Dobson said after the game, via Patriots.com. "If feel like it’s stuff that we can improve on. It’s nothing that they did. We just have to improve."

Week 5 picks: Patriots at Bengals

Publisher Nick St. Denis, associate editor Dan Begnoche and senior contributor Sean Donovan pick the New England Patriots' AFC bout with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dan's take:

Though the Pats' 4-0 start may seem like business as usual, three of those four wins have been by a touchdown or less, which speaks volumes about the team's leadership. The Patriots' defense, which lost its leader in Vince Wilfork, is up against a quarterback that has committed six turnovers in the last two games. Look for a breakout performance from Brandon Bolden with Stevan Ridley on the mend and another strong game by Aqib Talib in the secondary.

Prediction: Patriots 24, Bengals 17

Sean's take:

Cincinnati's defensive front will challenge New England's ability to stay balanced on offense. Asserting themselves in the run will be crucial for the Patriots, which will in turn set up Brady and the play action pass, a weapon used by this offense much more frequently and effectively than in recent years. The unsung heroes of New England's offensive line key another grind-it-out victory.

Prediction: Patriots 27, Bengals 17

Four Point Stance: Patriots at Bengals

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The New England Patriots were just about to get healthier, but they hit another brick wall this week. New England, which faces the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, lost defensive leader Vince Wilfork last week to a season-ending injury, a major blow to a squad that had been carrying much of the slack while the offense has absorbed its own injury setbacks.

The Patriots will also be without running back Stevan Ridley, who was hauling a bigger share of the load with Shane Vereen out, against the Bengals. Still, they have a chance to go 5-0 for the first time since 2007.

Cincinnati sits at 2-2 coming off an uninspiring loss to the Cleveland Browns last week, though it did oust the Green Bay Packers in a Week 3 shootout.

Injury report: Ridley to miss first game of career

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

After 36 straight games, New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley's streak is over.

A slew of other pertinent players could also end up joining Ridley on the sidelines Sunday, as the Pats currently have another 10 listed as questionable on the injury report. The two consistent question marks have been tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Danny Amendola, though Amendola is a more likely to play than Gronkowski.

On the Bengals' side, James Harrison is expected to dress despite a knee injury that had him listed as questionable earlier in the week, which is good news for a defense that allowed 270 passing yards and two touchdowns last week in a loss to the Browns. Here's the complete list: