Panthers vs. Bengals Preview
The claws will be out on Sunday, as the Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) will travel to Band of America Stadium to take on the Carolina Panthers (0-2).
The game will mark rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen's first start in the NFL after it was announced that he would replace Matt Moore in the starting line-up.
Clausen will be taking over an offence that is ranked 28th in the league in points scored and yards gained. It is a risky move by John Fox to turn to the rookie so early in the season, but one he made saying that the team needed a spark.
Matt Moore will feel hard done by after being benched just two games into his first season as a starter. When the Panthers drafted Clausen in the first round of the 2010 draft, they said it was only because he was the best player available, not because they
thought they needed a new starting QB.
The Panthers changed their minds after Moore started the season completing less than half his pass attempts and throwing four interceptions to just two touchdowns.
While the passing attack has been very suspect, the much vaunted Panthers running backs have not produced this season either.
DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have combined for a paltry 171 yards rushing over two games. This from a tandem that finished 2009 with 2250 combined yards rushing.
The Panthers will be coming up against a Bengals team playing the unfamiliar role of favourites this season. After sweeping their division in the regular season and making the play-offs, the Bengals added high-profile wide receiver Terrell Owens to pair with
their own flamboyant wideout, Chad Ochocinco.
The pairing, who have dubbed themselves Batman and Robin (no confirmation yet on who's Robin), hasn't exactly been dynamic this season, catching just one touchdown between the two of them.
The arrival of another wideout to throw to has resulted in the Bengals getting away from the running game that served them so well last season. To be fair, Cedric Benson hasn't produced a lot this season and has only 121 yards and one touchdown in two games.
The Panthers run defence has been the best part of the team so far, so it could be up to Batman and Robin to save the day.
Despite all the noise and flash of the offence, this is a team that is built on its defence.
After a terrible week one, where the Bengals gave up 38 points to the Patriots, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer blamed himself, saying he made the play-book too complicated.
Simple is good for the Bengals, as they bounced back to allow only 10 points, and forced four interceptions, in a big week-two victory against the division rival Ravens.
The Bengals' offence has been far from explosive so far, but they may not need many explosions to get the win on Sunday. A rookie QB vs. a defence that is fired up and playing well is not a good combination, and I expect Clausen to struggle against the Bengals.
This could be the day that Owens and Ochocinco both have big days against a pass defence that is ripe for the picking. The Bengals will maintain their push for the play-offs with a comfortable win in Carolina.
Prediction: Bengals 23 Panthers 7
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