Just like with the Cleveland game last week, and just about every other game this season, expect a dog fight today. If people are thinking Cincy will roll over and let Indy steam roll them, they are morons. You will recall in pre-season that current Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick came into The Lube and played pretty well (112 QB rating). Yes, it was the last game in pre-season and no one was playing, but that doesn't change the fact that Fitzpatrick is actually pretty good. He is mobile, can read a defense, and can deliver the football. Like all QBs, the key is getting pressure on him. With Indy starting a brand new MLBer today (Buster Davis), and with the possibility that Bob Sanders will not play, look for Cincy to try and exploit underneath coverages in order to open up the big play.
On offense, Peyton Manning called the Bengals defense "a salty bunch." Their defense has improved of late, and is playing much better than in previous years. DT Domata Peko is developing into a premiere DT. Remember, his brother (Tupe Peko) used to play OG for the Colts a few years ago. The Colts need to establish a running game in order to set up some play action passes.
For a Bengals fan take on things, please head over to my friend Kirkendall's blog, Cincy Jungle. We did some nice cross-blogging there this week. Like with Dawgs By Nature, Kirkendall and I have been blogging here since the beginnings of SB Nation NFL coverage. Show him some love by checking out his excellent blog. Here is to a good, clean game. Go Colts!
Stampede Blue
an Indianapolis Colts community