Defensive Disaster for Seahawks, Panthers, Bengals and Saints

Cincinnati Bengals

In 2013, Marvin Lewis’ talented squad not only gave up the third-fewest total yards in the league, they were the only team in the NFL to rank in the Top 5 against the run (5th) and pass (5th). Cincinnati was also tied for fifth by allowing just 19.1 points per game.

But following a tremendous start this season, Lewis’ club has suddenly forgotten how to stop teams from doing just about anything.

And rest assured we’re not pulling your leg.

During Cincinnati’s 3-0 start, the club allowed just 33 points and four offensive touchdowns. In fact, the Bengals allowed a mere 10 points in their first three quarters of play in those contests.

Then came a Sunday night trek to Foxborough and it all seemed to come apart. A 43-17 loss to the New England Patriots was followed by a 37-37 tie with the visiting Carolina Panthers. That’s a grand total of 80 points allowed in nine quarters of play.

After six weeks of play, the Bengals suddenly rank 28th in the league in total defense and only three clubs in the NFL have allowed more yards per game on the ground than this group. Starting with the Week 3 meeting with the Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati has allowed at least 140 yards rushing in three straight contests. In the loss to the Pats (505) and tie with the Panthers (431), Lewis’ team allowed a combined 936 total yards.

Things don’t figure to get any easier this week at Indianapolis. But perhaps the Bengals can turn things around with a solid effort against red-hot Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.