Sunday, October 28, 2001
Lions winless, but passing well
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Lions quarterback Charlie Batch, even as he continues to lose receivers to injury, has thrown for 683 yards and six touchdowns the past two games.
He has given the Lions the NFL's third-ranked pass offense at 260 yards a game and appears to found a comfort zone in the West Coast offense installed by new coach Marty Mornhinweg.
Keeping the Lions pass offense in check is a major key if the Bengals plan to snap their six-game road losing streak and go into the bye weekend 4-3.
The Bengals need to pressure Batch, who is listed as probable with a shoulder injury. He has been sacked 18 times, and Ty Detmer, who started the second and third games, has been sacked six times. That averages to almost five a game.
Bengals rookie right defensive end Justin Smith, the fourth overall pick in the draft, will go against another rookie, Lions left tackle Jeff Backus, who was the 18th overall pick.
Smith, who has two sacks, had his worst showing last week against Chicago. He didn't get much pressure on Bears quarterback Jim Miller, and he was sealed off on several runs around right end.
The Bengals didn't get a sack last week, and their total stands at 13.
But the team's interception dry spell is even longer. The Bengals' three interceptions in Game 2 against Baltimore are the sum for the season. Batch has thrown only four in three starts, compared to Detmer's eight.
Defensive coordinator Mark Duffner's goals for the season included 20 interceptions and 44 sacks. Significantly adding to those totals today would go a long way toward a Bengals victory.
RUNAWAY: Detroit's rush defense has been as inconsistent as the Bengals' rush offense and needs to be exploited. Detroit is ranked 24th in rush defense at 131.8 yards a game, the Lions held the Marshall Faulk-led Rams and the Eddie George-led Titans to 94 and 102 yards, respectively, at the Silverdome. Detroit did give up 179, 139 and 145 yards, respectively, at Green Bay, Cleveland and Minnesota.
Corey Dillon was held to 30 yards on 16 carries last week, after running for 140 against the Browns. As always, Dillon's carries and yards will determine whether the Bengals' fate.
This is a good opportunity for the Bengals. The Lions have the weakest rush defense the Bengals have faced since the opener against New England. Cincinnati's last four opponents are ranked first, third, sixth and second against the run.
ISN'T THAT SPECIAL: Granted, it was the preseason, but Detroit's Larry Foster had an 80-yard punt return and a 101-yard kickoff return for touchdowns in the Bengals' 27-24 victory Aug. 10.
The Bengals can't afford such lapses in a regular-season game. And playing indoors and on artificial turf should give punter Nick Harris and kicker Neil Rackers opportunities for much-needed big games.
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Lions winless, but passing well
